The Charleston Conference

WILL THE 2022 CONFERENCE TAKE PLACE IN PERSON/IN CHARLESTON?

The 2022 Charleston Conference will have opportunities to attend, present, and exhibit both in-person/in Charleston and online/virtually. There are registration options for both, and more information is available on the “Registration Rates and Info” page. Registration opens on June 15!

In Person: November 1 – 4
Online: November 14 – 18

I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PRESENTING!

See our Speaker Info page and our Presenter FAQ page.

ARE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS REQUIRED TO ATTEND?

Attendees will need to provide proof of full vaccination OR a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours upon check in at the registration desk. Photo ID matching either the vaccination card or test results will also be required. Conference badges will not be issued without providing the materials outlined below.

WHAT TYPE OF PROOF OF FULL VACCINATION WILL YOU REQUIRE?

Proof of full vaccination can be in the form of paper vaccination card, printed photocopy of vaccination card, or photo of vaccination card on a mobile device. The vaccination card must show 14 days have passed since final dose of vaccine. Attendees should also bring a photo ID.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE “FULLY VACCINATED?”

According to the CDC, you are considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks (14 days) after your dose of an accepted single-dose vaccine
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart*

If you don’t meet these requirements, you are NOT considered fully vaccinated. A booster dose is not needed to meet this requirement.

WHAT TESTS ARE ELIGIBLE AS PROOF OF A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST

A PCR test or a rapid test taken within 72 hours will be accepted as proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Proof of antibodies from a doctor, which shows duration of time antibodies are present, will also be accepted. Test results must include attendee’s name that can be confirmed by photo ID.

ARE MASKS REQUIRED?

Face masks are strongly suggested while indoors for all conference sessions and events regardless of vaccination status.

DO YOU HAVE OTHER COVID POLICIES IN PLACE?

The conference will continue to monitor the situation closely, and will be following all local area and venue policies. These policies are subject to change if we receive new guidance from our event venues, local mandates, and/or CDC guidelines.

What to Expect:

• Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test results and photo ID verified during registration onsite before receiving your badge and attendee materials.
• Hand sanitizing stations available throughout the venues.
• Masks available at the registration and information desks.
• Chairs in meeting rooms will have extra space between each seat.

ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COVID RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE FOR INTERNATIONAL ATTENDEES TO TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES?

CDC Guidelines state:

All non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants traveling to the United States by air are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Only limited exceptions apply. Learn more about this requirement and accepted vaccines.

If you are not fully vaccinated and allowed to travel to the United States by air through an exception, you will be required to sign an attestation (legal statement) before you board your flight to the United States stating you meet the exception. Depending on the type of exception, you may also have to state you have arranged to take certain protective measures.

For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE MY CONFERENCE BADGE?

Come by either the Registration Check-In Desk at the Francis Marion Hotel or the Information Desk at the Gaillard Center to get a replacement badge. Your proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results will need to be checked again prior to receiving a replacement.

MAY I BRING A GUEST TO THE IN-PERSON CONFERENCE?

Registered attendees may bring a “plus one” to the Conference Reception. The guest will need to arrive with the registered attendee who can show their conference badge upon entry. Guests will not be permitted to attend any other conference sessions.

I HAVE THINGS TO SAY! HOW CAN I BECOME A PRESENTER?

Submit your proposal through our Call for Papers form when it opens in April. The proposal deadline is in mid-July, check our timeline for details. The conference planning committee will review all proposals and will send out decisions by the end of August.

WHAT TYPES OF SESSIONS WILL THERE BE?

At Charleston, we like making things fun and exciting. One way we do that is by having several different session formats to shake things up a bit.

I’M A PUBLISHER/VENDOR/CONSULTANT. HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

The conference is designed to put librarians, publishers, and vendors together to discuss issues of importance to us all. Everyone is welcome to participate in conference sessions, but we do ask that multiple viewpoints be represented and do not allow solo presentations from any one company. This is to ensure that conference sessions remain informational in nature and not promotional in any way. For promotional opportunities, see:

• Vendor Showcase
• Sponsorships

HELP! I’M A FIRST TIME ATTENDEE!

Contact one of our Conference Mentors with questions. We look forward to meeting you!

DO YOU HAVE FUTURE CONFERENCE DATES PLANNED?

Future dates through 2025 are on the books.