REGISTRATION POLICIES

COVID-19 Policies and Liability Waiver

Effective 12 December 2022.

Please be advised that NGS policy requires all registrants to affirm the following.

By registering for and attending the National Genealogical Society’s (NGS) Family History Conference, I agree to abide by:

1. NGS policy that requires (a) upon initial check-in I provide identification and proof of COVID-19 vaccination and applicable boosters (following CDC guidelines found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html OR (b) daily I provide identification and proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid-result test taken within twenty-four hours of entry into the convention for that day. Masks are recommended but not required except for lecture rooms for specific speakers who require masks. Information about sessions requiring masks will be inserted in the program and on the doors of those sessions.

2. All health and safety guidelines and recommendations promulgated by federal, state, and local government agencies and officials, NGS, and the event venue. This includes, but is not limited to, submitting to restrictions set in place during the event that consist of providing identification and proof of vaccination and applicable boosters OR a daily test, and wearing a mask when required in indoor public areas, and may include engaging in appropriate physical distancing, and restrictions on certain activities that carry higher COVID-19-related risk, such as congregating in large private gatherings or attending off-site events in crowded facilities.

I further agree, pursuant to the rules of the Greater Richmond Convention Center, that I will not attend the Family History Conference in person if I feel sick or am experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms (including fever, cough, and shortness of breath); have been diagnosed with, or believe to have contracted, COVID-19 unless I have had no fever for 72 hours (without use of medicine) and 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared; or if I have not been fully vaccinated and have been in known contact with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days. 

Additionally, I understand that travel to and participation in events may increase the risk of exposure to communicable diseases or other unforeseen dangers. I HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DEMANDS OF WHATEVER KIND OR NATURE AGAINST NGS AND ITS AFFILIATED PARTNERS AND SPONSORS, INCLUDING IN EACH CASE, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS, AND AGENTS (THE “RELEASED PARTIES”), EITHER IN LAW OR IN EQUITY, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES OR LOSSES CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR CONDUCT OF ANY KIND ON THE PART OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DEATH, BODILY INJURY, ILLNESS, ECONOMIC LOSS OR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES, OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, WHICH I, MY HEIRS, ASSIGNEES, NEXT OF KIN AND/OR LEGALLY APPOINTED OR DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES, MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREINAFTER ACCRUE ON MY BEHALF, WHICH ARISE OR MAY HEREAFTER ARISE FROM MY PARTICIPATION WITH THE NGS FAMILY HISTORY CONFERENCE.

NGS will continue to monitor the changing guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic and will update policies as needed.

Facility Certification

The Great Richmond Convention Center has GBAC Star Facility Certification, which means it meets “the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention.”

Consent

Effective 12 December 2022.

All registrants are required to agree to the following:

Registration and attendance at, or participation in, NGS meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to the use and distribution of the registrant or attendees’ image or voice in recordings (live and on-demand), photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions, and audiotapes of such events and activities by NGS and other third parties, including but not limited to the vendors, the host city, and the host CVB. Your registration may include technology that monitors your activities throughout the meeting, such as session attendance and exhibit booths visited.

Additionally, the registrant agrees to allow NGS and other third parties including but not limited to the vendors, the host city, and the host CVB to contact you to provide information on their products, programs, services, memberships, or other information that may be valuable to you, or for the performance of obligations arising from your registration or any other contract we enter into with them or you.

Cancellation

Effective 12 December 2022.

NGS must receive refund requests in writing via email or postmarked by 30 April 2023. Refunds will be processed for your entire registration less a $50 service fee. No refunds will be made after 30 April 2023. If the event in Richmond is cancelled to protect the safety of attendees, speakers, and exhibitors for any reason, NGS will convert your registration to virtual attendance and refund any difference in price.

Special Offers

Effective 12 December 2022.

Use of a discount code is only valid at the time of the initial purchase/registration. Refunds will not be authorized for existing registrations where the special offer was received after the initial purchase. Discount codes cannot be applied to already reduced/discounted registrations including the NGS member rate. Limit one (1) special offer/discount code per registration.

Payment

Effective 12 December 2022.

Payment in full is required to process online registrations. We regret that we are unable to accommodate requests for invoices. We welcome payments in the form of American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.

Special Requests

Effective 12 December 2022.

Inclusivity matters to us. Registrants may indicate special assistance needed. Our team will follow up with you to ensure we understand your needs, and offer a reasonable accommodation.

Questions? Contact the NGS Registrar at [email protected]