IMC is continually monitoring guidance issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), industry groups, and others. We have reviewed the reopening plans of some of the key players in the office, retail, hospitality, and gaming sectors for best practices, consulted with suppliers and service contractors, and have tracked mandates and recommendations of federal, state, and local governments for the jurisdictions in which IMC operates. In addition, IMC has engaged an Emory University-based epidemiologist, Dr. Carlos del Rio, to consult in the preparation and implementation of our procedures. Finally, IMC has tapped a cross-functional team on its own staff to produce a set of protocols for our facilities. Our requirements for operating daily business and Markets are detailed here and may be added to or adjusted at any time as new information becomes available.

What to Expect When Visiting Our Buildings

Note:
Changes are effective in Atlanta and High Point beginning May 24, 2021
Changes are effective in Las Vegas beginning June 1, 2021

Our campuses require social distancing, use of PPE as indicated, and increased hygiene of both individuals and the facilities. If you have recently been exposed to COVID-19, have symptoms, or are not feeling well please stay home to protect yourself and others.   

Here’s what you can expect as you arrive on our campus in Atlanta or High Point (effective May 24, 2021) and Las Vegas (effective June 1, 2021): 

  • Building access points will be controlled to manage the flow of customers at entrances and exits.
  • To minimize queueing at registration stations, all buyer and designer attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-register online.
  • Masks are strongly recommended while visiting our campuses; however, masks are no longer required for vaccinated attendees. Unvaccinated attendees should still wear masks.  
    • Showrooms and local businesses may still require masks regardless of vaccination status, so please bring your mask with you.
    • When worn, masks must cover the nose and mouth of the wearer and may be of the reusable, fabric variety or three-ply disposable masks.
      More Information

Face Shiels

  • Hand sanitization stations will be located throughout campus. 
  • Physical distancing measures for foot traffic, queues, restroom access, and otherwise will be implemented as needed or mandated. 
  • Everyone on campus is encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly with soap for at least 20 seconds approximately once per hour, and after using the restroom, coughing, sneezing, touching the face, blowing the nose, cleaning, smoking, eating, or drinking. The use of hand sanitizer is advised when washing is not practical. 
  • Elimination of self-service food and beverage options and coffee service. Concessions will be administered solely by contracted national providers with offerings organized around pre-wrapped, “grab-and-go” options as well as staff-served buffet offerings. 
  • In-person events will shift to virtual offerings online, and lounges and other gathering places will be closed to promote social distancing. 
  • If you have been exposed to COVID, please follow CDC guidelines for quarantine and testing prior to coming to market. 

Covid-19 Testing Sites Near Campus

While not required for entry at Market, visitors interested in Covid-19 testing near campus may use the below links:  

Enhanced Housekeeping Measures

In early March 2020, IMC took steps to enhance its housekeeping measures in response COVID-19. These enhancements to the cleaning specifications stress frequent, meticulous cleaning of the campuses, with particular emphasis on the utilization of EPA List N chemicals or products for the cleaning and disinfection of the high-touch points of the facilities. 

Transportation & Parking

All vendors that we partner with, such as shuttle operators, will be required to adhere to the same standards as IMC staff. Masks are required for all riders on market shuttles. 

Accommodations

Our housing partners have compiled tips for a healthy hotel stay and Las Vegas hotel statements on new or extended hygiene and sanitation processes, and other national hotel and accommodations brand policies are detailed below.

Dining & Amenities

All vendors that we partner with for daily or Market operations will be required to adhere to the same standards as IMC staff. 

For buyers, concessions will be administered solely by contracted national providers with offerings organized around pre-wrapped, “grab-and-go” options as well as staff-served buffet offerings. 

For exhibitors, all catering vendors must abide by temporary restrictions due to COVID-19, including that all food and beverage must be individually packaged or served in a way which reduces touching from multiple people. When planning catering needs, physical distancing should be followed inside showrooms. Exhibitors must follow the detailed Operating guidelines found below.  

Tenants & Staff

Our tenants, employees, and any temporary staff we employ will be subject to all of the protocols listed above as they relate to PPE, physical distancing, and hygiene. All IMC staff, temporary staff and vendors are required to wear masks during markets within building common areas (lobbies, restrooms, corridors, exhibit halls, vertical transportation, etc). Vaccinated staff do not need to wear masks in IMC offices, however unvaccinated staff must continue to wear masks. 

Tenant and Exhibitor Operating Guidelines

The Health & Safety Task Force at International Market Centers has been working to update operating guidelines for Tenants and Exhibitors to implement during Markets. These guidelines include food and beverage policies, registration changes, mask policies, showroom capacities, security, logistics and more. 

Protective Measures for Freight

Procedures are in place to minimize the risk of introduction of COVID-19 into our properties through the receipt, handling and delivery of tenants’ freight or of bulk supplies procured by IMC. These measures include: 

  • Use of PPE by freight handlers. 
  • Requirement that all tenant freight must be palletized, shrink-wrapped or crated to minimize the need for individual handling. 
  • Use of portable, foggers and mechanical sprayers which can be used to disinfect an inbound freight shipment before it is delivered to the showroom, the interior of a trailer prior to unloading, or forklifts, pallet jacks, floats and freight elevators used for conveyance into the building. 
  • Staggering dock appointments to minimize tenant-to-tenant contact. 
  • Requiring, on an interim basis, that IMC personnel move all freight, suspending temporarily the practice of lending equipment to tenants. Similarly, IMC personnel would have exclusive control of the freight elevators to maintain elevator occupancy in keeping with social distancing protocols, and to ensure that freight elevators do not become an access point to the building, bypassing screening procedures. 

Additionally, the following are detailed statements from local transportation providers: 

Documents & Links

It will not be possible to eliminate entirely the risk that a tenant, employee or visitor will come into contact with the Coronavirus – or with someone who is carrying it – despite the measures outlined above. We believe, however, that the proper and consistent implementation of these protocols will make IMC’s campuses as safe as can reasonably be achieved, and far safer than many public environments.