The meetings industry is "confident" in the nation's ability to protect travelers and citizens from Ebola, according to Karen Kotowski, CEO of the Convention Industry Council (CIC), who yesterday transmitted an Ebola update to meetings industry stakeholders in which she expressed faith in both U.S. and global authorities.
"We are confident in the policies, procedures, and protocols that have been established by authorities to identify travelers who may have a communicable disease, keeping travelers safe and out of harm's way," Kotowski said. "As of now, we have been assured that travel and the meetings industry remain unaffected."
To assist meeting planners with Ebola monitoring and response, the CIC has established a special webpage featuring the latest Ebola news, guidelines, and resources, including a just-released set of "Ebola Virus Risk Management" protocols for meetings and events. Developed by the U.S. Travel Association in partnership with security consultancy the Chertoff Group, the protocols explain for planners what Ebola is, how it's spread, and what best practices should be employed for prevention at meetings and events.
Concluded Kotowski, "Despite what you might hear in the press, our observation is that federal and local government agencies are working together effectively along with the private sector to manage and stop the spread of the Ebola virus in the U.S. We will continue to defer to these experts and follow their direction on any travel and meeting protocols and precautions."
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