AWP continues to monitor the evolving situation regarding COVID-19 in relation to large gatherings. We will provide updates as guidance from the CDC, state, and local public health recommendations change. AWP asks all attendees to follow regulations and to make informed choices about travel, conducting yourself on-site, and your engagement with external venues and groups while in Kansas City, Missouri.

Our goal is to host a safe and valuable conference for the AWP community. We recognize that the situation may evolve and change as we approach February 2024. Please check back to this webpage for updates.

AWP will mirror the COVID-19 precautions of Kansas City, Jackson County, and Missouri State.

Recent Health & Safety Updates:

Latest guidance from the Kansas City

Latest guidance from Jackson County, Missouri

Latest guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Vaccination:

AWP strongly encourages all attendees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and boosted as recommended. Currently, per national and regional guidelines for large gatherings, vaccinations are not required.

Masking:

AWP encourages mask-wearing in all conference spaces. At this time, per national and regional guidelines for large gatherings, mask-wearing is encouraged, but not required.

Travel:

AWP recommends all attendees, exhibitors, and AWP staff and board comply with all travel guidelines issued by the CDC when travelling to Kansas City, Missouri.

Virtual Registration:

For those who are not comfortable attending in person, AWP offers a virtual-only registration at a reduced rate. The virtual-only registration includes on-demand access to many prerecorded panel discussions and readings and select live-streamed events from the in-person conference. Virtual registrants can expect over fifty hours of content between prerecorded & live events.

Venues:

Kansas City Convention Center takes several precautions to minimize risk of infectious disease spread, including:

• More than 100 hand sanitizer stations are set up throughout the facility
• Cleaning products utilized are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved for use against infectious agents
• Staff frequently cleans and disinfects high touch surfaces, and is trained on cleaning process annually.

Marriott properties, including the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, follow its Commitment to Clean guidance. Some measures Marriott is taking include:

• Several enhancements to cleaning practices throughout the property and in guest rooms. Every guest room is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to arrival. Daily housekeeping refresh service is currently being reactivated but guests have the opportunity to decline service if preferred.
• Enhanced Public Space Cleaning: Marriott has increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfection, particularly in areas with high traffic including restrooms, elevators, and escalators as well as provided more hand sanitizing stations.
• Room Amenities: Disinfectant wipes are available upon request.
• Meeting Space: Marriott continues to provide hand sanitizing stations in public areas and meeting rooms.
• Marriott Bonvoy App offers additional options such as Mobile Check-In/Check-Out with Mobile Key, Mobile Dining, and Mobile Guest Requests.

Refunds:

Refunds for all #AWP24 purchases are nonrefundable, including registration, bookfair, and reception sales. If you are unsure of whether you would like to attend the conference, we encourage you to wait to purchase in case your plans change.

We have once again this year extended the early-bird rate until November 20 to give attendees more time to decide whether they would like to attend at the lowest cost.

A registration may be transferred to another individual provided this individual is not already registered, the registration is used for the same conference, and the individual qualifies for the type of registration being transferred. For example, a student registration can only be transferred to another student. For more information about registration transfers, please contact registration@awpwriter.org.