SFNet cares deeply about the health and safety of our members and conference attendees. As such, we are making every effort to provide an experience where people feel comfortable and have peace of mind. Be assured that we will adhere to the most current CDC guidelines and local guidelines to help keep you safe. 

Consistent with CDC guidance, SFNet strongly recommends that meeting attendees be vaccinated. We will not be requiring proof of vaccination unless doing so becomes a state, local or federal mandate prior to the conference.  

The CDC states that vaccinated people may resume domestic and specific international travel and refrain from testing and self-quarantining before or after travel. We strongly urge attendees who are fully vaccinated to follow the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. People who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should use prevention strategies, such as wearing masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette. Like many parts of the country, Maricopa County Arizona is currently considered a “high transmission area,” which means everyone (whether fully vaccinated or not) should wear a mask in public indoor settings. SFNet will provide masks accordingly.

SFNet has taken additional steps beyond these recommendations to create a safe environment at the Convention. All keynote sessions will offer live-feeds, so that in-person attendees will have the option to view sessions in the privacy of their room if they choose to do so. The same applies for all pre-recorded panel sessions which will be available on-demand beginning Friday morning. The venue we have chosen has abundant outdoor space. Committee meetings and receptions will make use of these venues. Indoor sessions will be held primarily in the mornings, with afternoons and evenings set aside for outdoor networking, entertainment, and recreation. We will also provide color-coded wristbands for attendees to wear to communicate their comfort level with in-person interactions at the event:

• Red – Maintaining 6 Feet Apart and Social Distancing
• Yellow – Still Being Cautious (elbows and fist taps are ok)
• Green – Handshakes welcome (but frequently washing hands and sanitizing)

We will continue to monitor CDC, state, local and hotel guidelines and will inform registrants of any changes between now and the start of the Convention. Because we understand the many personal considerations you must make when choosing whether to register, we have implemented a No-Risk Registration policy which allows you to convert your in-person attendance to virtual any time between now and November 2. If you wish to convert, we will refund you the difference in price.

The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has implemented a variety of protocols and elevated practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic including upgraded HEPA air filtration systems. Fully vaccinated guests are not currently required to wear face coverings or social distance in indoor or outdoor areas of the hotel. However, the hotel asks and we strongly request that all unvaccinated guests continue to wear face coverings and practice social distancing when they are in public spaces inside the hotel. Staff members will wear PPE (e.g., face coverings, gloves, etc.) based on the activities they are performing and based on direction by the local authorities. To learn about Marriott’s high standards of cleanliness and commitment to providing excellent service, visit their Taking Care of You webpage.

Release and Assumption of Risk

As we continue taking important steps to provide for the health and safety of our attendees, we ask that you review our COVID-19 information, well-being protocols, and policies on this site. By registering for in-person attendance to this event you agree to adhere to the policies to sustain a healthy and safe environment for our attendees. It’s important that we all respond responsibly and transparently to these health precautions. Any and all private health and personal data will be treated with confidentiality and sensitivity.

Because COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is spread mainly from person-to-person contact, the Secured Finance Network (“SFNet”) has adopted preventative measures to reduce the spread of the COVID virus at its in-person conferences and events in accordance with guidance published by the CDC for events and gatherings, in coordination with event host properties. SFNet will comply with all applicable requirements imposed by state and local health authorities for the locality in which the conference or event takes place. However, SFNet cannot guarantee that in-person conference attendees will not become infected with COVID-19.

Individuals who fall within either of the categories listed below should not attend SFNet conferences or events in person:

Individuals who are experiencing, or within the 14 days prior to the conference or event have experienced, symptoms associated with COVID-19; or

Individuals who believe that they may have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not yet cleared as non-contagious by state or local public health authorities or the health care team responsible for their treatment.

Conference and event attendees should self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and are asked to contact SFNet at sfnet@sfnet.com if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days after participating in an SFNet conference or event.