Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please visit the SICB 2022 COVID-19 page for detailed information about COVID safety at SICB.

Will SICB 2022 take place in person?
Yes! SICB 2022 will take place January 3-7 in Phoenix, AZ

Will it be possible to participate virtually in SICB 2022?
Yes, but only in specific ways. We will be live-streaming the plenary talks to all those registered for SICB 2022 and SICB+, and it may also be possible to attend some meetings virtually. Virtual participation in paper and poster sessions is NOT possible, although limited exceptions have been made to allow showing of pre-recorded presentations in some symposia and Best Student Paper competitions. Those unable to attend SICB 2022 in person are encouraged to sign up for SICB+! We are encouraging all SICB 2022 presenters to also contribute their presentations to SICB+.

What is SICB+?
SICB+ is an opportunity to share your presentation virtually with other SICB attendees over a longer period (January 14-March 31, 2022) after the in-person meeting has concluded. SICB+ is included for all in-person SICB attendees, and participation is optional but strongly encouraged. The goal of SICB+ is to use the most positive parts of our experience with the 2021 virtual annual meeting to broaden access to SICB. primarily asynchronous, but SICB+ attendees will be able to livestream plenary talks and the member meeting during SICB 2022.

SICB+ Presentation guidelines can be found HERE. Talks should be approximately 12 minutes. Posters should be provided as a pdf file. Both presentation types will allow for supplemental files to be included. Registration for SICB+ opened on December 1, 2021.

What COVID-related health and safety policies will be in place for SICB 2022?
Please visit the SICB 2022 COVID-19 page for the most detailed information on SICB COVID-19 Health and Safety Policies, and links to local COVID information for Arizona and for Phoenix.

SICB is closely following CDC guidelines for COVID safety at large meetings and will adhere to those guidelines or more conservative measures, given that conference attendees come from many home locations. Additional guidance or policies for Arizona and the conference center will also be followed. The policies listed below may be revised to be more strict if that is necessary to follow CDC guidelines, but these decisions will NOT be reversed to be more lenient. Some major bullet points are provided below, but please review our full COVID safety policies HERE for details.

  • Vaccination Requirement: Vaccines are required for attendance with very few allowable exceptions. Learn more.
  • Indoor masking will be required for all participants regardless of vaccination status under most circumstances. Learn more.
  • Poster sessions: There will be increased spacing between posters with wider rows and greater separation between adjacent posters. Food and drink will not be allowed in the poster area. Learn more.
  • COVID testing and Safety: SICB recommends that all attendees be tested for COVID prior to their travel to Phoenix. We have also established a COVID safety call line and other support information available. Learn more.
  • Mangum award hotel rooms: Mangum awardee hotel room sharing is decreased to two per room (from four) without an increase in price to students. Find more Mangum-related information HERE.
  • Childcare: There will not be a childcare center this year. Grants will support individually-arranged sitting services. Click HERE for a list of vetted local sitters. To request child care support of up to $500, please fill out this google form.

Where can I find a COVID test close to the SICB 2022 conference venue?
Testing locations and options may change frequently, but these resources should serve as a starting point; all are located within a short UBER/Taxi from the hotel and convention center:

What if I need to isolate in Phoenix as a result of testing positive for COVID-19 while attending SICB 2022?
Positive tests should be reported to the COVID safety call line (703-910-3442).

Full CDC guidance for COVID-19 related isolation and quarantine may be found HERE. By CDC guidelines, anyone who tests positive should isolate for 10 days, and as a result conference attendees that test positive should extend their stay in Phoenix.

SICB has negotiated an extended stay option with our conference hotel for any guests booked to stay at the hotel for SICB who must unexpectedly extend their stay for COVID-related reasons. SICB is not responsible for the cost of an extended stay in Phoenix, and encourages all attendees to purchase travel insurance and book flexible flights. However, SICB will try to help attendees who request staff support in Phoenix. Guests can utilize Door Dash or Uber Eats for food and beverage. Should anyone be quarantined, the hotel security team will accept the items and leave them outside their guest room door.

Please reach out to the COVID safety line. Note that Burk Inc does not have staff in Phoenix outside of the conference dates.

I would like to volunteer as a Code of Conduct Ally at SICB 2022!
That’s great! Code of Conduct Allies complete online training ahead of time, and must agree to attend an in-person training scheduled on January 3rd, 5:30-6:30pm. Allies serve as a critical Code of Conduct resource during the annual meeting, reporting concerns, providing immediate support and serving as points of contact for attendees, and connecting attendees with SICB’s leaders and/or the Safety Officer. Those wishing to volunteer should fill out this google form.

I submitted an abstract to attend in person, but I have COVID related concerns. What is SICB’s cancellation policy? Can I switch to SICB+?
If you would like to cancel your in-person registration and/or move your presentation to SICB+, please fill out this short google form. For questions, please contact meetings@sicb.org.

I submitted an abstract to attend SICB+, but would now like to attend in person instead. Is it possible to switch?
Yes, it may be possible to switch. Please contact the SICB program officer at programofficer@sicb.org as soon as possible to discuss.

Will SICB 2022 still happen in person, regardless of the COVID situation?
Yes, SICB is now committed to hold SICB 2022 in person, unless shut down by the CDC or the state of Arizona. If that happened, SICB 2022 would pivot to virtual and be similar to our virtual annual meeting in 2021.

What is your In-Person Cancellation Policy?
Cancellations must be in writing via fax, email or regular mail to the SICB Business Office. We recognize that travel planning this year is particularly challenging with unknowns due to COVID. For cancellations unrelated to COVID, notices received by December 1 will be refunded total registration fees minus the 20% service charge to cover processing charges. No refunds will be issued on cancellations received after December 1. Refunds will not be issued to no-shows. In the event of a meeting cancellation or reschedule, we will not be held responsible or liable for other costs, charges, and/or expenses, including such things as cancellation/change charges which might be assessed by hotels, airlines or travel agencies. Membership fees will not be refunded. For questions or to discuss exception to this policy, please contact meetings@sicb.org.


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