Conference Participant Policies
Disability Access Requests:
The Hilton Minneapolis hotel is wheelchair accessible. Sign language interpreters may attend at no charge. MSSA will make all attempts to provide closed captioning or a transcript for our virtual on-demand sessions. To request other accommodations, please contact Sharon Hollister at [email protected]. Providing at least 4-6 weeks advance notice will help to ensure availability.
By registering for this conference, you agree to be bound by the following terms:
Cancellation/Refund/Returned Check Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing no later than February 16 and are subject to a $25 processing fee. Refunds will be processed within 30 days after the conference. Refunds will not be granted after February 16, nor will they be given for no-shows. Please email cancellation requests to [email protected]. Returned check fee is $30. Please write registrant's name on check. If the MSSA 2022 Conference is delayed in whole or in part, due to events over which MSSA has no control, then MSSA shall reschedule any delayed or interrupted portions of the conference and provide comparable registration benefits as determined by MSSA.
Registrant Substitution/Share Policy: If a registrant is unable to attend, a substitute may be sent in their place. Only one substitute is allowed per original registrant. Please email substitutions to [email protected] as soon as possible. Each person attending the conference or viewing on demand content must complete a separate online registration. This includes all individuals registering under the agency registration discount. Conference attendance cannot be split between employees.
Breakout Room Seating Policy: Conference registration guarantees access to a choice of breakout sessions throughout the conference schedule. However, conference registration does not guarantee a seat in any of the individual breakout sessions. The safety of participants is always our first concern and may include closing a room if the room capacity is exceeded. We encourage early arrival to sessions to help ensure that a seat is available.
Consent to Use of Photographic Images: All attendees acknowledge that they may be photographed while at events, and that those photos may be used for promotional purposes, in MSSA publications, websites, and on social media. Any recording of sessions (audio, video, chat logs, screen captures, etc.) intended for personal use, distribution, publication, or copyright without the express written consent of MSSA and the individual authors is strictly prohibited.
Liability Waiver/Release: Attendees of the MSSA Annual Training Conference & Expo are responsible for their own health and safety at all times. Registrants knowingly and freely assume all risks related to illness and infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. By attending this event, I agree to voluntarily assume all risk and responsibility related to communicable disease exposure and agree to not hold MSSA, or those acting on their behalf, liable for any expense, loss, damage, personal injury, theft, or actions of any kind that I incur.
COVID-19 Statement: By registering as a 2022 onsite participant you agree to adhere to and abide by the safety precautions MSSA implements to protect against the spread of COVID-19. MSSA will consider CDC and MDH guidelines in developing policies that prioritize the health and safety of onsite participants, their clients, and communities. Final policies will be communicated no later than February 16, 2022 and may include some or all the following: self-monitoring for symptoms, masking, proof of vaccination and/or a negative test.
Conference Code of Conduct: MSSA is dedicated to providing a fabulous conference experience for all participants. When we gather at MSSA as part of a larger health and human services community, our goal is to provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment to all. This code of conduct outlines our expectations for all those who participate in this conference community. We invite all of you to help us create this safe and positive experience for everyone.
As health and human services professionals our collective, positive actions are essential to counteract the many forms of inequity and abuses of power that exists in our society and which adversely affect those that we work with and for. As a community we expect participants to:
- Be mindful of your fellow participants.
- Exercise consideration and respect in your speech, chats, and actions.
- Many of us have disabilities that you cannot see; please respect requests for aisle seats, or seating to the front or the back of the room, as well as making open seating available to all.
- Fragrance sensitivities are real, please limit or eliminate the use of scented products during the conference.
- Minimize disruptions by silencing electronics and other personal sound appropriately while presenters are speaking.
- Respect presenters and participants contributions. Please do not make and/or distribute recordings, pictures, or screen shots of presentation/poster materials, Q&A, and chat activity in the virtual space without explicit permission outside of our event app community.
- Participate with MSSA’s Core Beliefs and Values in mind
Questions? Contact MSSA at [email protected] or 651.644.0556 for assistance.