Travel + Safety
Updated March 16, 2022
COVID-19 has increased the urgency to address diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, to produce graduates to care for our highest-need communities, and to train future health equity and social justice leaders.
The health and safety of attendees, speakers, and staff remain our top priority. The American Medical Student Association is implementing a plan to minimize COVID-19 transmission at our event. Below are various requirements and changes to the attendee experience. We ask that all participants adhere to the guidelines to ensure a safe experience for everyone. These protocols may continue to evolve based on modified standards and public health and governmental directives.
Vaccination
We strongly encourage full vaccination (a person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completion of a two-dose mRNA series, either Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. We strongly recommend all guests receive the “booster” dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, if you are more than six months out from your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna), or more than two months out from your first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Masks
We require that all AMSA staff and conference attendees wear well-fitting masks or respirators that fit completely over their noses and mouths, regardless of vaccination status, except when actively eating or drinking. Exceptions may be made for conference speakers onstage or at a podium where appropriate distancing is achievable.
AMSA is only able to apply this rule to our attendees and meeting spaces within the hotel. Attendees should be aware that restaurants, other areas of the hotel and other establishments they visit may not have mask requirements.
In advance of AMSACon, we appreciate all attendees’ compliance with the mask requirement so that AMSA staff and volunteers will not have to request they wear their masks. As current or future health care professionals, we trust our attendees to behave in a manner that will keep themselves and other attendees safe.
While the value of connecting in-person is important, we also recognize the realities of COVID-19 as it relates to community health priorities, travel and institution restrictions. As such, the conference will be a hybrid event. We look forward to seeing you in-person or online in 2022.
Reserve your hotel room now!
The room reservation cut-off date is May 23, 2023, for general attendees. Reservation requests received after May 23 will be based on availability at Hotel’s prevailing rates. The conference rate is $169.00 plus taxes and fees for up to four per room.
Location
This year, we will convene at the Phoenix Sheraton Downtown in Phoenix, AZ.
Phoenix Sheraton Downtown
340 N 3rd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 262-2500
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Letter of Invitation for Visa
Who can get letters supporting visa application approval?
In order to obtain a letter of invitation to attend Convention, the following criteria must be met:
- Current membership with AMSA
- Conference registration paid in full
- Provide a letter of good standing from school
How to request a letter:
Individuals must reach out to AMSA at events@amsa.org for a tailored VISA letter or invitation to attend an AMSA event. Please provide the following information:
- Full name (as reflected on your identification documents)
- Current address (as reflected on your identification documents)
- Arrival and departure date
- Letter of good standing from school
What resources are available for entering the country?
Please review the U.S. Department of State’s guide to Visitor Visas.
In the event that a visa is not approved, registration fees can be transferred to another attendee, but will not be refunded.