Masks – at a glance

Maryland Theatre

Recommended, except when eating and drinking

Tour buses

Required, except when eating and drinking

NPS tour sites

Required

Evening events

Recommended, except when eating and drinking

Information Sources:

Centers for Disease Control

US Travel Association

National Park Service

Maryland Theatre

Coronavirus COVID-19 protocol

As the committee continues to make plans for the 2021 World Canals Conference we are mindful of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and monitor a variety of credible sources for information. Our committee is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all conference attendees and partners

Travel at your discretion. Gather factual information from credible sources to help you accurately determine your risk and take reasonable precautions.
Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19.
Follow travel restrictions as required by country of origin and the United States.
The 2021 WCC Committee has the right to schedule events and activities to keep inline with Federal, State and Local guidelines.
Do not travel or participate if you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms such as a dry cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and/or loss of taste or smell.

Masking guidelines

Our event will follow all applicable guidelines at facilities and attractions regarding masking and distancing during the conference. We will also be governed by local regulations. We are continually monitoring the situation and strongly encourage everyone regardless of your vaccination status to wear a mask.

Our morning sessions take place at the Maryland Theatre and Performing Arts Center The theater is very spacious, relative to the number of attendees (100-125) we anticipate. The auditorium holds 1,300. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be running concurrent breakout sessions. Those smaller groups will use other rooms in the performing arts center. At this venue we recommend that delegates wear masks, except when eating and drinking.

From the beginning we have selected venues and vehicles that allow the largest capacity to ensure flexibility with social distancing among our attendees. Afternoon study tour participants will be transported by a 55-passenger motorcoach that is professionally operated and complies with cleanliness standards set by the American Bus Association. Conference attendees will be divided among three motorcoaches to allow for spacing among rows and seats. Delegates will be required to wear masks on the motorcoaches, except when eating and drinking.

Each study tour location is an official National Park Service site which requires the public to be fully masked while touring the canal grounds and attractions.

Both of our evening events take place at spacious outdoor venues. Sunday night’s casual, come-and-go reception is at the Ramada Plaza, an indoor venue with a spacious room. Monday night’s venue, the Western Maryland Sportsmen’s Club, has both indoor and outdoor seating. The Wednesday banquet site, Springfield Barn, is officially categorized as an outdoor venue with indoor and outdoor tables. At our evening events, we recommend that delegates wear masks, except when eating and drinking.

We will continue to monitor all guidelines and requirements. We will make adjustments as needed. Please continue to check the event website and look for additional messages prior to the start of the conference.

On behalf of our volunteers, vendors, and stakeholders, we look forward to seeing you in Hagerstown, Maryland.