A&WMA Response to COVID-19
A Message to Our Members and Customers
As part of the Air & Waste Management Association’s mission to build a vibrant and supportive community of practitioners and researchers, A&WMA regularly hosts conferences and other events. These meetings are essential opportunities to build connections, share information, and solve problems. However, as a professional association, we are also committed to the health and safety of our members and participants, and we are always vigilant about monitoring the local conditions of where these events are held.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a rapidly developing situation and let me take this opportunity to assure you that we are monitoring it closely. Although it is difficult to plan under uncertainty, we will take responsive and decisive action when needed.
Many governments and employers have imposed travel restrictions; policymakers and public health authorities around the world are working to contain the spread of the virus. We are watching these global events unfold, and we are optimistic that these measures will enable us to continue to engage the A&WMA community in a productive and healthy way. As part of our sound judgment and a sensible strategic approach, we are carefully evaluating all “what if” scenarios and researching options for contingency planning, such as our options for virtual presentation, in order to prepare for unknown circumstances that could dramatically impact the viability of a meeting.
Here are the actions we are taking to protect the health and well-being of our members, customers, participants, and staff, and to reassure you of our continuing commitment to delivering quality programing and membership services to you:
• Following the updated guidance from the CDC as well as city, county, and state authorities, effective Tuesday, March 17, A&WMA headquarters staff will be telecommuting. All staff have the ability to work remotely with appropriate support in the events that our office is closed, with no interruption in operation or membership services. The A&WMA staff team is committed to providing ongoing, exceptional service to the membership, volunteer leadership, and all external stakeholders as we navigate these challenging times.
• The NSR Workshop, previously scheduled for March 18 – 19 in Atlanta, GA, was postponed. We were able to successfully reschedule this Workshop to be held in the same hotel, Doubletree Hilton Atlanta Airport, on September 1 – 2, 2020.
• The Community Wildfire Recovery: Environmental and Public Health Perspectives Conference, previously scheduled for April 14 – 15 in Sacramento, CA was postponed. We are pleased to announce that this conference will be held August 18 – 19 in Sacramento, CA (Hyatt Regency Sacramento).
• The annual Leadership Training Academy in Pittsburgh, PA, April 24 – 26, 2020 is cancelled. We are thankful to the faculty who were working toward producing this very meaningful annual event targeting the development of the Association’s volunteer leaders. It is with a heavy heart that we relay this message but it is now inadvisable and impossible to hold this year’s Academy.
• ACE2020 — We are continuing to plan for the A&WMA Annual Conference & Exhibition, June 29 – July 2, 2020 in San Francisco, CA. Registration and housing are open and many events have been updated. The A&WMA ACE COVID-19 Statement can be found here. (updated March 30)
• The Community Wildfire Recovery: Environmental and Public Health Perspectives Conference, previously scheduled for April 14 – 15 in Sacramento, CA was postponed. We are pleased to announce that this conference will be held August 18 – 19 in Sacramento, CA (Hyatt Regency Sacramento).
• The annual Leadership Training Academy in Pittsburgh, PA, April 24 – 26, 2020 is cancelled. We are thankful to the faculty who were working toward producing this very meaningful annual event targeting the development of the Association’s volunteer leaders. It is with a heavy heart that we relay this message but it is now inadvisable and impossible to hold this year’s Academy.
• ACE2020 — We are continuing to plan for the A&WMA Annual Conference & Exhibition, June 29 – July 2, 2020 in San Francisco, CA. Registration and housing are open and many events have been updated. The A&WMA ACE COVID-19 Statement can be found here. (updated March 30)
Please keep checking this page. We will be updating it regularly as the situation evolves. Should you have any questions, please contact A&WMA at info@awma.org.
From all of us at A&WMA, our best wishes for the health of you, your family, and your community.
