General Questions

What is the status of the IRWA 2020 Annual Conference? 

The IRWA 2020 Annual Conference is canceled. We want to assure our Annual Conference attendees that your health and safety are of utmost concern and our top priority.

To all our registered attendees and members, we want to thank you for your patience over the past few weeks as we monitored the ever-evolving situation and tried to make the best decision in the interest of our association. We also appreciate the patience and understanding of our presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors who are essential to our events and our work.

If you have any other questions regarding IRWA's position on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the 2020 Annual Conference, please contact Jade Meador, CMP, Director of Events, at meador@irwaonline.org. 

Why was a decision made to cancel the Conference?

The decision was based on several factors, including, but not limited to the following:

• The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic on March 11, 2020.
• Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has stated the city will no longer issue permits for gatherings of 50 or more people, and since then President Trump has said the government advises against gatherings of 10 or more people.
• Continued review of recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other governmental organizations.
• Input from our members who were increasingly concerned with travel and the large gathering in Minneapolis. 
• The expanding trajectory of the virus, based on tools such as the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering COVID-19 tracking device that monitors the escalation of COVID-19 domestically and globally.
• Travel bans/restrictions imposed upon our presenters, attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors. 

Will IRWA 2020 be rescheduled for later this year? 

No. The availability of suitably sized venues does not make it possible to reschedule in 2020, and the continuing uncertainty surrounding the current situation making planning impractical.

Will my fees (registration, special events, etc.) be refunded? When?

Yes, your fees will be refunded. Please allow up to 30 days for your refund to be issued. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we process the large volume of refunds that need to be made.

Will IRWA cancel my hotel reservations if I booked through the IRWA Block at the Hilton Minneapolis? 

Yes, hotel cancellations will be handled for you if you booked through the IRWA block.
Hotel reservations that were NOT booked through the Hilton Minneapolis IRWA block will not be canceled for you. If you booked a room outside of the official IRWA room block or online at another hotel, you will need to cancel your own reservation.

Will IRWA help with fees associated with the cancellation of my travel reservations?

IRWA is not able to assist with travel arrangements you made on your own. However, most airlines have made special provisions to address COVID-19 related issues. Please contact your travel agent or the airline directly to learn about the options that exist.

Will the other IRWA meetings take place as scheduled?

Right now, no decisions have been made regarding other upcoming IRWA meetings. Please consult the IRWA Events and Meetings webpages for the most up-to-date information.

I planned to meet my CE requirement through programming at the IRWA Annual Conference. What other options are available from IRWA?

Please check the IRWA website for continuing education credit opportunities that might meet your needs. We are looking into the possibility of offering some courses in a virtual classroom format. If so, we will provide updates as soon as possible.

I was scheduled to present in Minneapolis, what happens to my session? 

The 2020 sessions will not carry over into 2021. Presenters are invited to submit their session as a proposal for consideration for the 2021 Annual Conference in San Antonio. The 2021 Call for Proposals will open in September 2020. Details will be announced on the conference website and via email. Please contact Jade Meador, CMP, Director of Events at meador@irwaonline.org if you have further questions.

I would like to present at IRWA in 2021. What is the process? 

The 2021 Call for Proposals will open in September 2020. Details will be announced on our website and via email.

Who can I contact if I have additional questions? 

Please contact Jade Meador, CMP, Director of Events at meador@irwaonline.org.  

Exhibitors/Sponsors

Are you refunding my IRWA exhibit booth/sponsorship fee? 

Paid exhibitors will be refunded for the full amount of their exhibit space rental. We anticipate you will see a full refund on your credit card within 30 days. Refunds for payments made by check or wire transfer will be issued within 30 days of the event cancellation. You will receive a cancellation confirmation once your record has been canceled.
Sponsors of the IRWA Annual Conference will have the opportunity to have sponsorship fees fully refunded. Expenses beyond sponsorship fees remain the responsibility of the sponsor.

How can I cancel my hotel room reservation? 

If you booked within the official IRWA hotel block, we will cancel your reservation with the hotel. If you did NOT book within the IRWA hotel block, you will need to cancel directly with the hotel.

Will IRWA reimburse me for flight or other travel costs? 

No, IRWA will not refund individual travel costs. If you purchased travel insurance, please contact your provider for information for the next steps. Many airlines are either waiving cancellation fees or considering the action that precipitated your cancellation. Please contact your airline to see if your ticket qualifies. We apologize for any inconvenience and challenges this may cause you.

What if I require documented proof that the IRWA 2020 Conference in Minneapolis was canceled? 

Upon request, IRWA will provide you with official documentation of the IRWA 2020 Conference cancellation. Requests may be submitted to Jade Meador at meador@irwaonline.org.

What about IRWA 2021 San Antonio booth selection? 

IRWA 2021 San Antonio advance booth selection will be announced at the end of 2020. The IRWA exhibits team will be contacting companies directly with additional information.