March 4^th, 2020 Statement

Coronavirus/COVID-19 and the 36th Space Symposium

The Space Foundation team continues to move forward with 36^th Space Symposium, March 30^th – April 2^nd, 2020 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. Working with all of our partners, we continue to closely monitor the unfolding situation with Coronavirus/COVID-19 and are following all available public health guidance to assure a safe and successful program. To address many of the questions that have been shared with us, we have prepared the following Frequently Asked Questions, with responses to provide all of our attendees, participants, and exhibitors with the most accurate information possible. When, and as circumstances change, additional guidance and direction will be offered via postings on our websites, social media outlets and other public releases. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Colorado Springs for another safe and successful Space Symposium!

Space Foundation
[email protected]

FAQs & Responses on the 36^th Space Symposium & the Coronavirus/COVID-19

Will the 36^th Space Symposium still occur this year (March 30-April 2) despite the threat of Coronavirus?
The Space Foundation is still planning for another safe and successful gathering of the global space community at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO occurring March 30^th – April 2^nd, 2020. As health care practitioners and the public health community work together to address the Coronavirus/COVID-19 situation, there are still a number of unknowns.  What we do know is that personal hygiene is of critical importance. We strongly encourage that people follow the science, implement the recommendations of public health agencies, and continue to participate in the activities that make our world connected. Prevention tips from Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment include:

• Washing your hands for 20 seconds and/or using alcohol -based hand sanitizer;
• Covering your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing and sneezing, and discarding the tissue immediately into a closed bin;
• Refraining from touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning sprays or wipes;
• Avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms, and,
• Staying home and not attending public events if you are feeling ill.

What is the Space Foundation doing to prepare the Space Symposium for Coronavirus?
Following recommended prevention protocols is a priority for Space Foundation and for the hosting venue, The Broadmoor.  Disinfectant wipes will be utilized frequently at each Symposium registration area.  Audio-visual personnel will ensure microphones are cleaned/disinfected following each person's use.  To complement the rigorous custodial and hygienic processes routinely practiced by The Broadmoor, the hotel provides hand sanitizers in every restroom facility and in many common areas and activity spaces. The Space Foundation and its Symposium partners are also continually monitoring all of the reporting from the recognized and authoritative sources listed below for the most accurate information on this situation.

• World Health Organization
• US State Department Guidance on International Travel and the Coronavirus
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
• El Paso County, Colorado Office of Public Health

Will attendees be screened at The Broadmoor for fever or other health symptoms?
There are no plans to screen individual attendees at the Symposium.  Every attendee is encouraged to be diligent and proactive as to their own physical wellness as well as follow healthy habits to prevent passing the cold/flu to others.

Will there be international participants from infected countries at the Symposium? 
The Space Symposium regularly hosts international attendees including countries that have been adversely impacted by the outbreak.  With the advent of the Coronavirus outbreak, the Space Foundation is following and adhering to the US State Department’s guidance and directives for all international travelers coming into the United States. See - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/novel-coronavirus-hubei-province--china.html As such, persons coming from countries that are deemed as high risk will either not be able to travel into the US, or when/if they arrive, will be subject to additional medical screening measures, including potential quarantine for up to 14 days before they would be allowed entry into the US. International attendees coming to the Symposium will have to adhere to those protocols, which is one of the contributing factors to the determinations by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, and the El Paso County (Colorado) Office of Public Health that the risk to the American population and Colorado is LOW for infection by this virus.

If attendees show symptoms, what will you do?
We ask all of our attendees to adhere to good health practices and to seek medical attention as it is needed.

Is there a GO / NO GO date for when the Space Foundation will decide to cancel the Symposium?
The Space Foundation is monitoring the situation daily and will make its decisions based upon the best available information and direction provided by government, public health and other decisional authorities.

Will you be asking people to refrain from handshaking or other contact?
The Space Foundation encourages each attendee to offer the greeting they are most comfortable in sharing with others and to be mindful as well as respectful if others choose to not shake hands or engage in other direct contact as a greeting.

Should Colorado Springs residents be concerned about international travelers coming to this area?
Both the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and the El Paso County, Colorado Office of Public Health, which serves the area where the Space Symposium will occur, have issued public guidance that the risk to Coloradans and visitors to the area for infection by Coronavirus/COVID-19 is LOW.

Will you have masks for participants?
Masks will not be distributed to Space Symposium attendees. Persons wanting such masks should bring their own. Space Foundation and Colorado Department of Public Health encourage the implementation of good personal hygiene practices, including washing your hands for 20 seconds and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, covering your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue, and discarding the tissue immediately into a closed bin; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; and encouraging any event participant that contracts a fever or other flu-like symptoms to stay at their home or hotel to help maintain the health of all event participants.

What would it take to cancel the Space Symposium?  Is that an option?
The safety and security of every Space Symposium attendee, exhibitor, participant, and support staff member is priority one for the Space Foundation, The Broadmoor and all of its partners.  We work with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, military service branches and others – including public health sources to assure that priority is fulfilled each day of our program. The Space Foundation team is constantly monitoring all of these sources and will always make decisions that ensure the safety, security and success of everyone who is part of the Space Symposium.

If my company/agency/organization decides to cancel non-essential travel/participation in events such as Symposium, can I get a refund?
As detailed on the Space Symposium’s FAQs – “Symposium, Cyber Classified, Space Classified, and Tech Track cancellations received in writing by February 28, 2020, will receive a 50% refund. Refunds will not be issued after February 28, 2020. No exceptions. Registration transfers will be processed through March 20, 2020. Transfers will not be processed after March 20, 2020. Symposium, Cyber Classified, and Space Classified registration transfers will be processed for a fee of $200. Tech Track registration transfers will be processed for a fee of $50.
Please note: in the event of a cancellation, the refund of any deposits forwarded to hotels or other related business will be at the discretion of the supplier. To initiate a transfer or cancellation, please send an email to [email protected].”

If I am a sponsor, can I seek a refund?
Sponsorships sold after October 31, 2019, are non-refundable.

If an exhibitor is part of a company/agency/organization that decides to cancel non-essential travel, can exhibitors obtain refunds?
As long as the Space Foundation is moving forward with the 36th Space Symposium, exhibitors who cancel their booth will not receive a refund.  Exhibitor fees are non-refundable as set in the Rules and Regulations of each exhibitor’s contract.

Issuance Date: March 4, 2020