• May 18 – 22, 2024
  • Houston, TX
  • May 18 – 22, 2024 | Houston, TX

Safety & Security at AAPA 2024

Emergency Preparedness Plan

AAPA operates under an internal detailed emergency preparedness plan which outlines policies and guidelines for situations such as, but not limited to, an active shooter, bomb threats, extreme weather, social disturbances, etc. To ensure the safety of all those in attendance at AAPA 2024 this document is not shared publicly.

 

Safety Measures

AAPA will provide roaming security personnel at George R. Brown Convention Center during conference hours, and at the Marriott Marquis Thursday through Sunday. Additionally, both the Convention Center and Marriott Marquis have internal security personnel to handle any situations that arise. As an added security measure, plain clothes officers will be present during the conference.

Admittance to AAPA’s House of Delegates Meeting in the Marriott Marquis Houston will be only by AAPA 2024 Conference Badge. There will be only one entrance to the meeting room and security personnel will be positioned to check badges for delegate and member access.

As in any city, we remind conference attendees to be aware of your surroundings. If you see something, say something. We also recommend when you are walking around the city that you remove your conference badge and have a buddy.

The following specific measures are being taken for our AAPA 2024 attendees:

  • Firearms are not allowed on any premises during AAPA 2024, regardless of state laws.
  • There is security onsite at George R. Brown Convention Center and the Marriott Marquis Houston.
  • PA Night Out will remain a private event, only open to conference registrants.
  • There will be ample signage at George R. Brown Convention Center and the Marriott Marquis Houston on what to do if there is a problem.
  • Safety and security information will be provided in the app, as well as the backside of every conference badge, about what to do if there is a problem.
  • Badges are required for all AAPA conference events.

 

Code of Conduct

During the registration process every attendee of AAPA 2024 is required to agree to adhere to the following Code of Conduct:

AAPA 2024 is intended for education, networking, and collaboration among PAs. AAPA is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and respectful conference experience regardless of a person’s race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, age, religion, disability status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical appearance, or other characteristics. AAPA expects conference participants to communicate professionally and constructively and to uphold the professional and educational purposes of the conference.

We expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everyone.

Unacceptable Behavior

Harassment of conference participants or AAPA staff in any form is prohibited. Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to offensive verbal comments, expressed or implied threat of physical or professional harm, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Reporting Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. If you experience or notice others experiencing any of the above unacceptable behavior or have any other concerns, please contact AAPA conference staff at [email protected].

AAPA’s Commitment

AAPA will investigate all incidents reported with discretion and confidentiality. AAPA reserves the right to bar any attendee who violates this Code of Conduct from attending future conferences and/or cancel membership without refund.

Health Safety Measures

By submitting an attendee registration for AAPA 2024, attendees must acknowledge and agree that they are fully responsible for their own safety and actions while participating in the national conference and recognize that they may be at risk of contracting COVID-19 through no fault of AAPA.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, or have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for or who has symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home.

Be sure to practice everyday preventive actions, including but not limited to social distancing, washing hands often, and monitoring your health daily.

 

CME Sessions

At the start of each session moderators will remind all attendees that security information is printed on the back of the conference badge should it be needed.

Speakers and moderators have the authority to call security to have an attendee removed should a disruption occur.

Additionally, speakers will have the authority to end a CME session if deemed necessary due to an unmanageable disruption or security concern.

 

Hotels and Transportation

The following hotels are connected to the George R. Brown Convention Center via skybridge:

  • Marriott Marquis Houston (HQ Hotel)
  • Hilton Americas

The following hotels will have shuttle service available to and from the convention center:

  • Courtyard by Marriott Houston Downtown Convention Center
  • The Magnolia Hotel
  • Moxy Houston Downtown
  • Residence Inn Houston Downtown Convention Center
  • Springhill Suites Downtown Convention Center

Shuttle service to and from PA Night Out will be available from all hotels within the official AAPA 2024 hotel block.

All attendees are encouraged to register and book their hotels early, as all hotels will eventually sell out. If all seven hotels mentioned above are sold out and anyone feels uncomfortable walking to and from the George R. Brown Convention Center they should e-mail [email protected]. AAPA will make every effort possible to make a room on the shuttle route available.

 

On-Site Procedures

Important security procedures and phone numbers will be easily accessible on the back of every conference badge. All attendees are encouraged to utilize this information in case of any security concern or emergency situation.

Any concerns regarding personal safety or an attendee violating the Code of Conduct while on-site in Houston can be reported by e-mailing [email protected]. All e-mails will be addressed within 24 hours.

While AAPA has prepared and put mitigating measures in place to provide a safe and secure environment, AAPA cannot guarantee that we can prepare for, and prevent, every possible event.