Sigma will offer both in-person and virtual attendance options for the 2021 Biennial Convention. We recognize the COVID-19 delta variant requires enhanced safety protocols, and are working with our event venue partners to ensure the safest possible meeting environment for those choosing to attend in person.

To do that, Sigma is instituting the following safety requirements:
 
All in-person attendees, including speakers and exhibitors, must be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Those without vaccine access or who are unable to be vaccinated due to valid health reasons must request a vaccination exemption. 

Exempted persons must submit a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event and may be required to complete additional health screening steps.

Attendees must submit proof of vaccination status and complete a daily health screening.  

Sigma is partnering with ShareMyHealth to collect this information.

All registered attendees will receive detailed ShareMyHealth instructions via email approximately 30 days prior to the event and must complete vaccine verification prior to arrival.

Attendees experiencing COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, are expected to self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days or until they test negative and symptoms resolve. Attendees exhibiting symptoms should not enter the convention venue.

Any unvaccinated attendee who tests positive prior to or during the event will be required to self-isolate. If the recommended isolation period requires additional hotel nights or travel changes, the attendee assumes full responsibility for any additional expenses. 

Attendees must wear masks at all times throughout the convention spaces. 

Speakers and presenters may remove their masks provided they can maintain a six-foot (two-meter) distance from other attendees. 

Masks may be removed at seated meal functions but must be put back in place once the program concludes. 

Attendees must observe social distancing requirements throughout the convention spaces. 

These may include fewer people per table at ticketed meal functions, distanced seating in the auditorium and breakout rooms, one-way foot traffic, and cashless transactions.

 
Because we support our members and the nursing profession, we recognize that each individual must make an attendance choice based on the factors most important and relevant to their personal situation. For that reason, Sigma will allow any registrant to change their registration from in-person to virtual and virtual to in-person penalty free through Wednesday, 13 October 2021. Refer to this template for exemption request instructions. Please understand we are at capacity for virtual presentations. While we can change your registration, we cannot accommodate additional presenters on the virtual platform. 

This convention will be unlike any other, and these safety protocols will affect, change, and even eliminate some of our cherished convention traditions. We anticipate in-person attendance to be less than 50 percent of a pre-pandemic event. We expect in-person attendees to uphold and support these safety protocols and exhibit behavior consistent with the ideals of an honor society. As a gentle reminder, attendance at any Sigma event is voluntary, and all registrants complete a release and waiver of liability agreement as part of their registration. 

We encourage you to read the comprehensive attendance and safety information available here.