OVERVIEW
The Foundation for Orthopaedic Research and Education CME Department has created a set of guidelines to help live conferences and events safely adapt to the changing landscape for in person meetings. As the world begins to emerge from COVID-19 closures, FORE is looking ahead to benchmark how to safely and responsibly host events, while defining new guidelines to minimize risk and promote education.
We are entirely focused on the wellbeing of attendees, faculty, and industry partners. Now, more than ever, considering the evolving COVID-19 situation, our focus on the health and safety of our participants is our priority. The ability to conduct in-person meetings will be dependent on making people feel safe in any setting.
To meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations presented by COVID-19, FORE will start by following the recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We’re also partnering with each individual hotel to follow best practices for cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
FORE will continue to monitor all guidelines and adapt to new recommend procedures. The following are the current standards FORE will be following as development and execution of conferences takes place.
ATTENDEE HEALTH & SAFETY
Prior to the arrival of all participants, well-being checks of all employees, including physical temperature checks will be administered in accordance with the CDC guidelines.
FORE staff and employees will be wearing face masks and practicing social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus.
The following will be administered and requested of all attendees and staff at the beginning of each day of the conference:
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
The relationship with our industry partners is important to us and we want to ensure that safety measures are being taken for your wellbeing as well.Additional spacing between exhibit booths/tables will be enforced as well as only a limited number of spots will be available. Traffic flow be directional, but will still continue to ensure maximized exposure and participant passing throughout the entire conference.Virtual options, such as live broadcasts, live surgeries or teleconference non-cme symposiums will be available as added options for our valued partners in the event corporate restrictions do not allow their in-person attendance.
FACULTY/SPEAKERS
Spaced seating at panel tables will be increased. Each panel member will be provided with individual microphones and sharing will be discouraged. Individual chairs will also be considered as an option to distance Faculty. Smaller panel numbers will be encouraged. Disposable microphone covers will be implemented and given to each speaker.