UPDATE: ACA Annual Conference and COVID-19

UPDATE: March, 10, 2020, 5:06 p.m. ET

The health and safety of our conference attendees, members, partners, exhibitors, and staff remains ACA’s highest priority.

We continue to monitor the latest guidance provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) for COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health. We are also aware that a number of institutions and companies have instituted restrictions that may impact the ability of their faculty, students, and staff to travel.

While the ACA 2020 Conference & Expo is scheduled to proceed as planned, we respect the concern that attendees have expressed, and ACA is waiving all transfer fees ($35) and all cancellation fees ($75). All transfers to future conferences and/or cancellations requests must be sent to ACA Registration via email or via the post to ACA Registration, 6101 Stevenson Avenue, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA, 22304

We will proactively implement the following health measures during the event and take an abundance of caution in the following ways:

• Partner with the San Diego Convention Center and the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel to increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched objects such as door handles, hand rails, elevator buttons, etc.
• Prominently place hand sanitizer stations throughout the convention center and the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel
• Post “Stay Healthy” signage to remind attendees of everyday precautions
• Have First Aid on site and available in the ACA conference registration area in the convention center

Many professional counselors are working in healthcare facilities, and are working with clients with challenges stemming from COVID-19.  Resources and Information to help professional counselors and their clients during times of uncertainty.

We encourage you to become familiar with the World Health Organization’s suggested safety precautions, which include:

• Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical care early; stay home if you feel unwell.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue and discard the tissue immediately.

TRAVEL INFORMATION:  Read the World Health Organization’s most recent travel guidance.

AIRLINE INFORMATION: All travelers should check with their airlines prior to their flight for the most accurate and real-time information regarding the airline’s response to COVID-19.

HOTEL INFORMATION:  Hotels within the ACA room blocks cancellation policies:

• Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego – reservations may be cancelled 72 hours prior to arrival without penalty
• Omni San Diego – reservations may be cancelled by April 10, 2020 without penalty
• Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown– reservations may be cancelled by April 14, 2020 without penalty

For hotels or lodging outside of the ACA room block, please consult your individual reservations.

If you cancel or transfer your ACA conference registration, please make sure you cancel any reservations you’ve made.

MENTAL HEALTH, PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

These additional resources will help professional counselors and their clients during times of uncertainty.