COVID-19:
The WSVMA will follow all state and local requirements, our hotel, convention and event center policies, and the most current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention at the time of the event. The WSVMA can change this policy at any time based on changing conditions in the COVID-19 pandemic and/or changes to city, county, or state governmental policies.

Assumption of Risk 
I have read and understand the above risks and warnings concerning COVID-19 and I nevertheless expressly assume all of the aforementioned risks including the risk of being exposed to, contracting, and/or spreading COVID-19, in order to be able to attend and participate in person at the PNWVC from September 27 – September 29, 2024.

Furthermore, I understand that PNWVC may immediately remove or prohibit me from in-person activities at the PNWVC if I exhibit symptoms associated with COVID-19, or if I fail to comply with any safety procedures stipulated by PNWVC, WSVMA, WSAVT, Greater Tacoma Convention Center, or Marriott Hotels. By agreeing to this Notice and Release, I voluntarily assume all of the aforementioned risks including, without limitation, any exposure to, or infection by, COVID-19, and hereby release and agree to hold PNWVC, WSVMA, WSAVT, Greater Tacoma Convention Center, and Marriott and Murano Hotels harmless from and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives, any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act of PNWVC, WSVMA, WSAVT, Greater Tacoma Convention Center, and Marriott and Murano Hotels. Furthermore, by this Notice and Release, I intend to discharge PNWVC, WSVMA, WSAVT, Greater Tacoma Convention Center, and Marriott Hotels, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, representatives, and contractors, from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives may have against any of them with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to my participation in the PNWVC 2024.

Code of Conduct

1. Purpose/Scope
The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure is to describe Washington State Veterinary Medical Association’s (WSVMA) Code of Conduct to be followed by attendees and participants in all association events, programs, meetings, and conferences.

2. Policy
WSVMA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff members, service providers, and all others are expected to abide by this Events Code of Conduct. This Policy applies to all WSVMA meeting-related events, including those sponsored by organizations other than WSVMA but held in conjunction with WSVMA events, on public or private platforms.

WSVMA has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment by participants or our staff at our meetings. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, the WSVMA asks that you inform the Chief Executive Officer so that appropriate action can be taken.

Unacceptable Behavior is defined as:

• Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
• Verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, WSVMA staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
  • Examples of verbal abuse include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, WSVMA staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
• Disruption of presentations during sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by WSVMA throughout the virtual meeting. All participants must comply with the instructions of the moderator and any WSVMA virtual event staff.
• Non-solicitation: Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services except where specifically allowed. WSVMA reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.

In response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, WSVMA reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund. WSVMA reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting, virtually or in person.

Permissions
Registration and attendance at, or participation in the Pacific Northwest Veterinary Conference or other WSVMA meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant for WSVMA’s use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee’s contact information on attendee lists. I acknowledge that my email will be shared with conference exhibitors for marketing purposes.

By taking part in this event you also grant the WSVMA full rights to use the images resulting from photography and/or video filming, and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for membership recruitment, publicity or other purposes. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in WSVMA’s printed and online publicity, social media, news releases and marketing materials.

Cancellation Policy Cancellations received on or before September 3, 2024 will receive a full refund, less a $50 processing fee. After September 3, 2024 and before September 24, 2024, there is a 20% administrative charge for cancellations. No refunds for cancellations received after September 24, 2024; no shows receive no refund.