While millions of Americans have gotten vaccinated and there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel for the pandemic, COVID-19 continues to be a concern, especially as cases are on the rise in some parts of the country.

At NDASA, we know people may be hesitant about traveling and gathering in large groups this spring. With that in mind, we have planned an extraordinary conference for these extraordinary times.

“Many of our attendees rely on NDASA’s Annual Conference and Trade Show for critical information and education that strengthens and advances their business,” said Cathleen Drew, Annual Conference Committee chair. “Therefore, from the start, it was the association’s mission to continue providing the same opportunities as in past years, but think innovatively so that everyone would feel as safe as possible.” 

While NDASA will provide the high-quality informational and educational content you are used to through training courses, industry experts, breakout and general sessions, May’s event will look like no other. Safety is our priority. With that, comes offering our attendees unprecedented flexibility.

This year, you can choose to attend in-person, feeling secure that all recommended virus mitigation protocols are in place. You also have the option to attend virtually, using an advanced audio-visual platform, that will make you feel like you are there. Or…you can do both: attend the event and then watch sessions on-demand. Through our virtual add-on package, your team at home can participate from a distance and you have up to 30 days to view any sessions you missed in St. Louis.

We Take Your Safety Seriously

NDASA’s Conference & Trade Show will be the only event taking place at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch during the days of the conference. Over the last months, our planning committee has worked closely with the venue to develop safety measures, customized to our needs, so that in-person attendees are protected. Some of the protocols you can expect include:

• Fully sanitized hotel rooms and a 48-hour gap in hotel room occupancy

• Limited seating capacity

• Sanitization stations accessible throughout the venue

• All meeting rooms sterilized in between functions

• Traffic patterns in and out of the Exhibit Hall

• Full social distancing at all events

• Masks

Find additional protocols here.

Flexibility is Key

NDASA knows that our annual event offers critical knowledge for businesses in the drug and alcohol screening industry. For those who don’t want to be in a group setting at this time, the virtual option is a way to attend the event from your workplace or home.  

We have partnered with Encore, the premier audio/visual company in the country that leads the industry in coordinating hybrid events, to bring you the most professional experience ever, watch the interactive sessions virtually, attend in-person or choose both options for your business. This is not a ZOOM call! View the demonstration site to get an idea of what you can expect. (After clicking on the link, enter Username: encore-demo/Password: encore-demo.)

An additional benefit of the virtual option for everyone who has had to tighten their belt this year is that virtual attendees can take advantage of everything the conference has to offer, minus the travel and hotel costs.

But wait – there’s more! 

If you plan to come to St. Louis in person, you have the opportunity to add a virtual component to your registration for just an additional $100 (this option will appear when you check the “Live” box).  You can “bring” your entire staff to the conference!  For those who need to stay back home, allow them the chance to join in virtually and interact during the live sessions. Plus, you will have the opportunity to view the recorded content for up to 30 days after the conference. This way, as the attendee, you won’t have to make the difficult choice between different sessions when you are in St. Louis. Just think of the countless ways you and your teams can expand your collective knowledge with this cost-effective offering.

When you register, just let us know whether you will be coming in person or attending virtually (Please Note: pre-conference training classes are not included in the virtual package.) or both, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Whichever option you pick, register now to get the Early Bird DISCOUNT price which is available until April 17.

Learn more about the NDASA Conference & Trade Show by visiting the NDASA website. We look forward to seeing you next month…and putting safety first!