Safer Together

Your Safety Is Our Priority 

AWHONN is preparing the 2021 Convention live event experience so that all individuals onsite —attendees, speakers, staff, and venue personnel — remain safe and comfortable throughout the event. We are monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and in constant communication with our partners at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, national authorities, and the AWHONN Board of Directors.  

Safer Together 

We’re facilitating measures that will ensure optimal health and sanitary conditions in all environments where in-person interaction takes place. Our highest priority is the health and safety of our attendees, so these guidelines will evolve as new information about the status of the COVID-19 virus becomes available. Please visit this site frequently to find updates. 

Venue and Accommodations 

Our host venue, Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, released their Health and Safety Protocols that provide in-depth details on how they facilitate a safe, secure and healthy environment onsite for all participants, both in terms of the 2021 AWHONN Convention itself and accommodations. Below are some examples of what the Gaylord Palms is doing to ensure your stay is both pleasant and safe. 

Upon Your Arrival 

• A lobby greeting will welcome guests and guide proper check-in procedures, encouraging guests to utilize the Marriot Bonvoy app for mobile check-in and mobile key. They will also ensure social distancing measures are followed.  
• Guests are encouraged to use their phones to check in, access their rooms, make special requests, and order room service that will be specially packaged and delivered right to the door without contact. Digital Key Packets/resort information will be sent to guests’ phones. 
• Electrostatic disinfecting sprayers are being tested to sanitize all public areas. 
• Bell service is on a request-only basis. Attendants will wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and the bell carts are sanitized after each use. When delivering luggage to the guest’s room, it is delivered after the guest is in the room in order to ensure social distancing. 

In Your Room 

• Housekeeping services are available upon request. 
• Each room receives a hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Any additional amenity requests are left outside the guest room in a sealed container. 
• Non-essential amenities, such as non-disposable glass wear, have been removed from the room. 
• There will be an increased frequency of filter replacements and HVAC system cleaning to filter out air contaminants and maximize fresh air exchange. 
• All surfaces are thoroughly cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants. 

Around the Hotel 

• In addition to training on housekeeping and hygiene protocols, STARS (Smiles, Teamwork, Attitude, Reliability and Service with a Passion) staff will also complete enhanced COVID-19 awareness training, with more comprehensive training for STARS with frequent guest contact, including housekeeping, food and beverage, public area attendants, hotel operations, and loss prevention. 
• All STARS will be required to have their temperature taken prior to entering their work area. Anyone with a temperature at 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or exhibiting any known symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to work. 
• Frequent and proper handwashing practices and utilization of hand sanitizers are both vital and help combat the spread of viruses. In daily meetings, STARS will be reminded that cleanliness starts with a simple act. 
• Gaylord Hotels corporate and regional teams will be on standby 24/7 to support hotels and coordinate with local authorities.