FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
2020 Annual Meeting and Exhibition - Cancellation
Why was the meeting cancelled?
Due to ongoing concerns and risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and abroad. The Board of Directors of STLE determined that for the safety and well-being of the STLE staff, members and guests who would be attending the event, the conference should be cancelled. The decision to not hold the event was based upon advice of the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Governor of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the STLE Board of Directors.
Are all related events cancelled as well?
Yes, all activities (presentations, forums, social events, exhibits, STEM, education courses, Board of Director and committee meetings are all cancelled and will not occur as originally scheduled on the program.
In addition, the STLE Board of Directors has voted to cease all Local Section activities in which groups of individuals are in contact with each other (meetings, social events, education programs, etc.) until August 30, 2020. A reassessment of the situation by the STLE Board of Directors will be made on September 1, 2020.
Do I need to cancel my hotel reservation and travel arrangements for the May 3-7, 2020 STLE 75th Annual Meeting & Exhibition?
For those who booked through the STLE room block at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, no action needs to be taken on your part. You will receive a cancellation notice from the Hyatt. For questions, contact Conference Manager Merle Hedland (
mhedland@bacon-hedland.com).
STLE cannot assist with hotel reservations booked outside of the official STLE housing site. Please contact the provider directly. Most transportation providers have implemented special provisions in response to COVID-19. Please contact the transportation provider directly.
When will the next Annual Meeting & Exhibition take place?
May 16-20, 2021
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana (USA)
If I am a presenter, what do I need to do?
You will be contacted by STLE about the 2021 Annual Meeting and other alternative presentation options. Please allow 30-days for us to contact you. For questions, contact Conference Manager Merle Hedland (
mhedland@bacon-hedland.com).
If I am an exhibitor, sponsor or CMF participant, what do I need to do?
You will be contacted by STLE with a number of options. For immediate questions, contact Tracy Van Ee.
emeraldcomminc@yahoo.com or 630- 922-3459.
If I pre-registered as an attendee or for an education course, what do I need to do?
You will be contacted by STLE and given a number of refund options. Please allow 30-days for us to contact you. For immediate questions, call 847-825-5536 or send a message to
info@stle.org.
I am a committee member. What are the plans for our scheduled committee meeting?
You will be contacted by your staff liaison. Please allow at least 30 days for us to contact you.
I am an award winner. How will I receive my award?
You will be contacted by STLE’s awards program coordinator. Please allow at least 30 days for us to contact you.
Other questions or concerns?
Please see the contact list below.
Registration – Nadine Sanchez-Colon
nadine@stle.org
Housing and Oral & Poster Presentations – Merle Hedland
mhedland@bacon-hedland.com
Exhibits, Sponsorship and Commercial Marketing Forum – Tracy Van Ee
emeraldcomminc@yahoo.com
Committee Meetings
Contact your staff liaison
Awards – Karl Phipps
kphipps@stle.org