This year, our Convening will coincide with the first few days of Ramadan. If you observe Ramadan, please note that in the personal data section when you register for the Convening. To accommodate observing attendees, EdLoC is prepared to provide the following supports, upon request:

• Halal food and meal options accessible during the suhoor and the iftar hours

• Dedicated space, within the Red Rock Resort, to function as a prayer and observance room

• A list of local mosques for attendees who desire to attend nightly services

• Two weeks prior to the Convening, EdLoC will open an affinity-based, virtual chat group for persons reporting they plan to observe Ramadan during the event, with the aim of sharing resources, experiences, and supports among observers

No, travel expenses will not be reimbursed by EdLoC. Individuals are responsible for all travel-related expenses to and from the Convening. We recommend using ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft. It is around a 20-25 minute drive to Red Rock Resort and Spa.

All guests are required to present a credit card or debit card at check-in to cover any incidentals incurred during their stay.

Yes, please book directly on the hotel’s website (www.redrockresort.com). We will be able to connect your extended reservation with the reservation reserved with your registration to the Convening.

All attendees are required to provide proof of vaccination to attend and participate in the 2023 National Convening. Per CDC guidance, fully vaccinated individuals have received all primary series doses and recommended boosters for their age group. For additional information on CDC’s policies on what it means to “Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters, see here: https://tinyurl.com/CDCBoostersInfo.

All registrants will be required to show proof of vaccination and identification when checking in on-site. In-person verification may include one of the following forms of vaccination card;

• A clear photo of the front and back of a vaccination card

• A clear photo of the front and back of a vaccination card stored on a phone or electronic device

• Digital vaccination record

Self-reported vaccination records that are not verified by a healthcare provider will not be accepted. EdLoC will accept medical exemptions in lieu of proof of vaccination. If you have a medical exemption, please email us at nationalconvening@edloc.org.

EdLoC recommends that all attendees use prevention strategies, such as testing prior to arrival, wearing masks indoors, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and respiratory hygiene and etiquette during the Convening.

If you test positive for COVID-19 within six days of the National Convening, email us at nationalconvening@edloc.org.

Please note that to be eligible for a partial refund, you must provide a medical receipt of a positive COVID-19 result.

EdLoC will continue to monitor and update safety precautions for the National Convening and coordinate with trusted national resources, state and local public health agencies, and the hotels hosting our convening. In all cases, we will continue to assess the risks in the area local to the convening and the current status in the United States. In keeping with EdLoC's duty of care and the responsibility as host, EdLoC reserves the right to modify these policies and procedures at any time given the rapidly changing nature of any current and ongoing public health emergencies.

Safety precautions are especially important for large indoor events, which run an increased risk of transmission, often causing serious outbreaks. This is especially true when, as with the 2023 National Convening, attendees are traveling from other areas, including places with high transmission levels.

EdLoC is committed to staying up to date on the best practices that will allow us to maintain a high level of safety at our largest event of the year. When setting our COVID policies and safety practices, we consider the most up-to-date government guidance and scientific expertise. In addition to guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we consider recommendations and practices from the World Health Organization.

We currently know that vaccines and boosters are the best protection against severe illness and hospitalization. Data shows that being up to date on vaccines and boosters can spare most people from the worst of COVID-19 and its variants, including hospitalization and death. We also recognize that vaccination is not the only preventative measure. As such, we have considered additional and complementary safety measures. These measures include confirming a negative rapid test for all attendees upon registration on-site, as well as providing rapid tests for attendees to self-administer daily.

We have all seen first-hand the suffering this pandemic has caused - to our loved ones, our students, and our communities. We hope that in an environment where we have seen a steady decrease in safety measures despite the continuation of COVID-19 cases, we can lead by example for what it means to protect each other.

Large indoor events, such as conferences, pose a greater risk of transmission. This year we will gather over 400 individuals for the 2023 National Convening. We all weigh the risks (and benefits) of attending any event in the COVID-19 era, and we hope to do our part in making that decision easier. We have chosen to make our health and safety procedures are more restrictive at our largest gathering to help ensure we minimize risk on as many fronts as possible.  

Although the vast majority of attendees at all EdLoC-hosted events provide proof of vaccination, we implement a more flexible policy at smaller gatherings, such as our Happy Hours. In place of providing proof of vaccination, attendees at those gatherings may submit a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before the event date or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 24 hours before the event start time.

Regardless of the type of event, EdLoC encourages the use of additional precautions.

EdLoC does not require attendees to take a PCR test prior to coming to the Convening. However, testing continues to be an important way to monitor COVID-19 cases and manage exposure. If you are traveling frequently or otherwise concerned about increased exposure to COVID-19, the CDC recommends getting tested as a preventative measure. PCR tests are the most reliable diagnostic tests for people with or without symptoms and are available in many cities in major pharmacies or testing centers.

If you test positive for COVID-19 within six days of the National Convening, email us at nationalconvening@edloc.org. Please note that to be eligible for a partial refund, you must provide a medical receipt of a positive COVID-19 result.

While we are not requiring PCR tests, EdLoC will be implementing testing protocols at the National Convening. We will be confirming a negative rapid test for all attendees upon registration on-site, as well as providing rapid tests for attendees to self-administer daily.

Please note that EdLoC reserves the right to modify this procedure at any time, given the rapidly changing nature of any current and ongoing public health emergencies.

Though state and local laws require that no one be excluded if they choose not to wear a mask, EdLoC strongly encourages all attendees, regardless of vaccination status, wear a personal protection mask or face covering while indoors and when not eating or drinking. Masks will be available on-site if you need one, but it is recommended that you also bring your own. Please note that disrespectful behavior or retaliation toward any attendee based on a person’s use of a face mask (or not) will not be tolerated.

EdLoC is also working closely with the host hotel and event managers to configure the Convening space in a way that accommodates safety objects and social distancing to the extent possible.

If you test positive for COVID-19 within six days of the National Convening, email us at nationalconvening@edloc.org. Please note that to be eligible for a partial refund, you must provide a medical receipt of a positive COVID-19 result.

The EdLoC team has created a full and engaging 3-day experience for our members and guests. We chose our convening location to inspire respite from the busier world. However, if you choose to leave the Red Rock Resort and Spa during the National Convening, we ask that you take reasonable precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This includes wearing a mask, physical distancing, and routinely adhering to hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene etiquette.

For general questions about the convening, please email us at nationalconvening@edloc.org