Docomomo US response to COVID-19 Impact

Chicago Symposium going virtual

Dear Symposium Speakers, Registrants, Sponsors and Interested parties,

The Chicago Symposium Committee and the Docomomo US Board of Directors have made the decision to host the 2021 Symposium virtually through an online event platform.

After seeing so many of our peers host successful and engaging online events and hosting our own virtual Modernism in America Awards celebration, we are excited to bring the National Symposium to you.

While that means we will not physically be together, online event conferences provide excellent opportunities for participating in educational sessions, experiencing tours in addition to connecting with speakers, sponsors and each other. We also find it exciting that virtual events break down many of the financial and geographic barriers of participation.

Converting our in-person event to a virtual program will take some time but for now we wanted to let you know how we will be moving forward. Registration prices will likely change, and we hope you can be patient with us while we narrow down the details.

If you were registered as a speaker, a sponsor or an attendee, we will contact you directly regarding your previous registration that will be honored. A modified refund/alteration schedule will be available for all registered guests by late January or February of 2021.

We thank you for your support during this challenging time. We look forward to seeing you soon and bringing our community together.

Sincerely,

Liz Waytkus
Docomomo US Executive Director
On behalf of the Docomomo US Board of Directors and the Chicago Symposium Committee

New dates announced for the Chicago Symposium

Dear Symposium Speakers, Registrants, and Sponsors,

Thank you for your ongoing and generous support of the Docomomo US National Symposium in Chicago.  I am writing today with good news.

We have identified May 26-29, 2021 as the new dates for the Chicago Symposium. We believe these dates allow us to move forward with the outstanding program of speakers, tours and events that were originally scheduled. While we considered dates in the fall of 2020, we believe keeping the Symposium in the late spring necessitates the least amount of changes, provides a time with excellent Chicago weather, and allows for largest number of people to participate in the event. We are pleased all of the original venues for the Chicago Symposium have been confirmed for 2021 and the event will go forward as planned outside of the one-year delay.

The last few weeks have been tough on us all, but we hope this news can bring some joy your way.

While we continue to put plans in place for the 2021 Chicago Symposium, we are grateful to the vast majority of registered guests and sponsors who have been able to leave their registration with us.

Your registration will be carried over to the rescheduled dates with no changes to the outlined benefits. Guests will be notified of any changes to the event or scheduled tours. A modified refund/alteration schedule will be available for all registered guests next year.

Again, on behalf of myself, the Chicago Symposium committee, our national and local board and staff, we thank you for all your support during this challenging time. We look forward to seeing you soon and bringing our community together.

Sincerely,

Liz Waytkus
Docomomo US Executive Director
On behalf of the Docomomo US Board of Directors and the Chicago Symposium Committee

Symposium postponed due to COVID-19

March 20, 2020

Dear Symposium Speakers, Registrants, and Sponsors,

In response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) request to cancel mass gatherings as part of the public health and safety response to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Docomomo US and Docomomo US/Chicago have decided to postpone our National Symposium that was scheduled for June 2020 in Chicago.

We have an excellent program of speakers, tours and events scheduled and it is incredibly sad to have to make this hard decision. As many of you know, Docomomo US National Symposiums are a labor of love organized by a committee of volunteers, local and national Docomomo US Board members and our small staff. Our Symposium, more than anything, is about bringing our community together and having an opportunity to experience great Modern architecture and landscapes. To that end, we do not intend to cancel the event outright or hold virtual sessions. We hope our community can still come together and experience the exceptional program Chicago has prepared for you.

While this decision was made for the health and well-being of our community, it could have severe financial consequences for Docomomo US.

We ask those of you who planned to join us in Chicago for your patience and consideration as we work to reschedule the Symposium. We are currently in the process of exploring dates in the fall of 2020 and in the spring of 2021. We are working to reconfirm dates with hotels, venues and all vendors, which will take some time.

We are also exploring options for you including issuing vouchers for the rescheduled program or future Symposiums. If you can allow us to hold your registration or sponsorship, we thank you! If you do not think you will be able to join us, and would like a refund, please contact Docomomo US staff directly by emailing info@docomomo-us.org or calling 347-688-2177 before May 4, 2020, the original registration cancellation date. Full refunds for registration and tours will be provided and no administration fees will be charged before this date. No requests for refunds will be considered after this date. If you cannot join us but would like to donate your registration, we are grateful for any and all support. Refunds will take approximately four to six weeks to process and will be made via the original payment method.

If you have a room reserved at Hotel Chicago, please call (877) 829-2429 to cancel your reservation. If you have a room reserved at the Royal Sonesta Riverfront Chicago, there is nothing you need to do. They are automatically sending cancellation notices to guests.

In the meantime, we will continue to monitor communications from the CDC, the World Health Organization and the and the Illinois Department of Public Health for regional/local updates. Additional updates will be made available on our website and the rescheduled dates will be shared with you directly when available.

While we are postponing the Symposium, rest assured that all other activities of Docomomo US, including our ongoing advocacy for our modern heritage, will continue without interruption. Our commitment and capabilities remain as strong as ever, especially with the strong and continuing support of our members, our volunteers, and our sponsors.

We hope everyone stays safe and healthy during these uncertain times.

Sincerely,

Liz Waytkus
Docomomo US Executive Director
On behalf of the Docomomo US Board of Directors and the Chicago Symposium Committee

Docomomo US response to COVID-19 Impact

March 13, 2020

Docomomo US is carefully monitoring COVID-19 Coronavirus and considering its potential impact on the upcoming Docomomo US National Symposium in Chicago, Illinois from June 3-6, 2020.

While the impact evolves daily, Docomomo US will continue to watch the conditions as they change and will make a decision on the prospects for the Symposium by mid-April.

As of today, Docomomo US, Docomomo US/Chicago and our local partners are cautiously moving forward with the event as planned.

Our most important consideration is ensuring your health and safety during the Symposium and we understand decisions regarding attendance and travel are personal. Note that our cancellation and refund policy is extended through May 4th to give guests added time to consider participation. See below for more information.

If you booked at a Symposium related hotel, the hotel’s cancellation policy is included in your hotel confirmation. Many airlines are also waiving change fees for travel booked through a certain date.

In the meantime, Docomomo US will monitor the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the Illinois Department of Public Health for regional/local updates.

Additional updates to our COVID-19 response will be posted here.

Refund policy

Docomomo US is in the process of exploring dates in the fall of 2020 and in the spring of 2021 for the Chicago Symposium. We are working to reconfirm dates with hotels, venues and all vendors, which will take some time.

We are also exploring options for you including issuing vouchers for the rescheduled program or future Symposiums.

If you do not think you will be able to join us, and would like a refund, please contact Docomomo US staff directly by emailing info@docomomo-us.org or calling 347-688-2177 before May 4, 2020, the original registration cancellation date.

Full refunds for registration and tours will be provided and no administration fees will be charged before this date. No requests for refunds will be considered after this date.

If you cannot join us but would like to donate your registration, we are grateful for any and all support. Refunds will take approximately four to six weeks to process and will be made via the original payment method.