FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO

December 24, 2021 | Atlanta / High Point, N.C / Las Vegas

As you well know, the safety and security of our customers, our employees and in fact anyone entering our campuses has always been our highest priority. We have done an incredible job of conducting our markets and steadily growing the participation in those markets. This as IMC has proven to be fortuitous while others in the event space did not reopen…

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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

Atlanta (effective December 21, 2021)

The City of Atlanta issued an Executive Order requiring all persons in a public place, including private businesses and establishments, to wear a mask or a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth when indoors.

  • Masks are required in the common areas of the AmericasMart campus regardless of vaccination status at all times.
  • Masks are required to be worn in all showrooms at all times regardless of vaccination status.
  • Onsite testing will be available January 12-15, 2022. We will provide this service at no cost to International Buyers. Testing is available to all other guests at cost. Information and appointment scheduler.

Las Vegas

In compliance with local mandates, masks are currently required for all individuals regardless of vaccination status while visiting our Las Vegas campus, local businesses, and indoor public spaces within Las Vegas.

  • Masks are required for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, when in the common areas of campus.
  • Masks are required to be worn in showrooms regardless of vaccination status.
  • Onsite testing will be available January 23-27, 2022. We will provide this service at no cost to International Buyers. Testing is available to all other guests at cost. Information and appointment scheduler.

High Point (November 15, 2021)

The use of masks are suggested but not mandated by the City of High Point.

  • Masks are optional in the common areas of IMC’s High Point properties for vaccinated individuals
  • Masks should continue to be worn by unvaccinated individuals

All Cities

  • Building access points will be controlled to manage the flow of customers at entrances and exits.
  • To minimize queueing at registration stations, , all attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-register online.
  • When worn, masks must cover the nose and mouth of the wearer. Based on recent research surgical, KN95 or N95 masks are recommended.


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 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. 
    • 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 must follow IMC’s Tenant Guidelines. 

  • 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. IMC staff should follow local HR guidance in each city.

  • 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.