How are you verifying proof of the vaccine? 

We’re working with the 42Chat HealthShield platform to verify vaccination status. All attendees need to upload proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to arrival through 42Chat.

Attendees who provided mobile numbers at registration will receive a text message with a link to upload your vaccination card/documents beginning in mid-September.  

How do I upload my vaccination records? When do I need to do this? 

The deadline is September 30, 2022. You’ll receive a text message in mid-September from 42Chat requesting your vaccination documentation.  If you do not receive a text message, we will provide alternate access through a QR code.

Starting on September 12, if you did not receive a text message, you can scan the QR code below or text “Hi” to 877-349-0719 to upload your vaccine docs. To enter the conference you must upload your own document through your own mobile device = we can’t do it for you.

What if I want to claim a religious or medical vaccine exemption? 

We are not offering religious or medical vaccine exemptions in compliance with current Washington state law.

Why do I have to sign a waiver? 

The Network Leadership asks for your continued support, flexibility, cooperation, and understanding as we move forward to present a safe and successful event.  Attendees’ commitment to act responsibly with respect to their own health and the health of others at ComNet22 will be critical to its success.  By signing the waiver, you are stating that you agree to follow COVID-19 safety protocols outlined for ComNet22 and that you acknowledge there is a potential risk of exposure. 

What happens if I get COVID before, during, or after ComNet22? 

Attendees and staff should stay home and should not attend ComNet22 if they have tested positive for COVID-19, are awaiting their COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, or if they have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has symptoms of COVID-19.

If you feel unwell before ComNet22, please follow the Golden Rule and do not attend.  You may contact Tracy Mitchell, tmitchell@comnetwork.org, for a registration refund. 

If you feel unwell during ComNet22, please isolate and contact Tracy Mitchell, tmitchell@comnetwork.org or 630-258-7570, or Carrie Clyne cclyne@comnetwork.org for guidance and support. 

If you feel unwell after ComNet22, please contact Tracy Mitchell, tmitchell@comnetwork.org, for further instruction.

Will you do contact tracing? 

We will not handle contact tracing; however, if a ComNet22 attendee becomes infected, we will notify you via email and through the mobile app.

Will meals be inside or outside? 

Inside. Seating will be limited to ensure safety. You’ll have the option of taking your meal to-go whether you’d like to take it back to your hotel room or eat outside.

What if I no longer feel comfortable attending because of COVID? 

Refunds will be available for those that are infected with COVID.  Please contact Tracy Mitchell, tmitchell@comnetwork.org, to discuss your registration and options.

What is your mask policy? Will you enforce it?

To create a gathering that brings our community together safely, we are asking everyone to wear a mask inside unless you are actively eating, drinking, or presenting. We will have signage reminding folks to wear a mask and will have masks available at registration for anyone who needs one. 

Why are you requiring ComNet22 attendees to wear face coverings when many of the mandates have been lifted?

While we understand some feel this is unnecessary, there are a few key reasons we are asking you to mask: 

• We surveyed registered attendees at the beginning of August and 70% of you said you wanted to see masks used at the conference. 

• We are welcoming attendees from all across the United States and around the world. COVID-19 levels vary county-by-county and country-by-country. We know now that masks + distance + healthy hygiene are the keys to avoiding illness, this is how we get there. 

• Seattle’s local culture has been careful and cautious during the pandemic. Most of us are guests in this beautiful place. Masks are a way of showing respect to our hosts and each other.  While state and local mask mandates have been relaxing or being eliminated entirely in many places, the COVID pandemic has proven to be a real (cuss cuss cussin’ cuss). And ever-changing.  Since it’s not possible to predict future spread patterns, we will be maintaining our mask requirement.

• The bumper sticker version of this? Gratitude. Not attitude. Mask up y’all.

When and Where is ComNet22?

ComNet22 will happen in-person October 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency 808 Howell Street in downtown Seattle. Please note there are several Hyatt hotels in a couple block radius and ComNet22 is at the Regency on Howell Street. 

When and Where is The Welcome Reception?

The Welcome Reception will take place at the Museum of Pop Culture (325 5th Avenue N) on Wednesday, October 12 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Please enter through the North/Group Entrance located at the 5th and Harrison turnaround. *Registered attendees must show their badge or check-in onsite.

What is your COVID Policy?

You can learn more about our COVID Policy, preventions, and requirements here. 

How can I update my registration? 

For registration questions or updates, please contact Tracy Mitchell, tmitchell@comnetwork.org.

What is your refund policy?

You can cancel your registration and receive a full refund (minus $50 processing fee) through August 31, 2022. We are not able to offer refunds after August 31.You can transfer your registration (which will incur a $25 processing fee) through August 31, 2022. We will not be able to offer transfers after August 31. If you are not able to attend the conference because you have COVID, we can offer you a full refund. Please contact Tracy Mitchell, tmitchell@comnetwork.org.

May I attend the conference without registering?

No. Anyone who would like to attend the conference must register.

What does my registration fee include?

• Access to all conference programs Thursday and Friday, including keynote sessions

• Entry to the MoPOP Welcome Reception

• A group rate at the conference hotel

• Access to conference app

• A conference "swag bag" and related conference materials

• Two breakfasts and a lunch 

• Free conference wifi

• Tons of coffee

• New friends and community!

Registration does not cover the cost of a hotel room, so please reserve your room at the Hyatt Regency separately.

Do I have to sign up for CaseWork or Learning Labs?

Nope! Once you are registered for the conference, you can join any session you’d like. Our most popular sessions tend to fill up quickly, so plan to arrive early for your must-see sessions.

What are leadership coins? 

Leadership coins are a tradition at The Communications Network and at ComNet — one we hope you’ll join by giving it away to someone else! Here’s how it works: we’re hoping to recognize folks who are living and exemplifying our core values of community, learning and leadership. That could look like:  someone reaching out and including someone who looks like they are out of sorts/being left out feel welcome — or — recognizing someone who delivers an extraordinary breakout session — or a critical question asked at a keynote or during a Dialogue. It might be honoring someone who is especially active in connecting people in person or online (using the conference app to organize folks, social media to share new ideas and insights, etc). It feels good to lift folks up and recognize their contributions — we hope you’ll pitch in! 

Is there a hotel discount?

Yes, the discounted group rate of $299.00 is available until Monday, September 19. You can book your room here. 

What time should I arrive and depart?

That depends on what activities you’re interested in participating in. Please note: registration officially opens at 10:00am Wednesday, October 12. If you want to participate in attendee-led gatherings, we recommend you check out the Bulletin Board and arrive by Wednesday morning.  The conference officially starts Wednesday evening at MoPOP (the Museum of Pop Culture) from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. The conference programming will wrap up before lunch on Friday, by 12:30pm PT. 

Will you offer a virtual option?

No, but most of the main stage sessions will be live-streamed on The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s website: Philanthropy.com 

Will sessions be recorded?

As many as we can! We ask that you try your best to commit to participating in real-time since ComNet22 — it is meant to be a live, people-focused experience. Not all sessions will be available for replay (several speakers have asked that folks participate live and that we do not record the material since it is interactive and participatory). We aim to record and share as much of the content as we are able and many of the mainstage sessions (Keynotes and Expert Assemblies) will be recorded and available to attendees about a month after the conference (a handful will eventually be up on our YouTube channel a couple months out). 

Will you offer Karel Scholarships this year?

Yes! All our 2022 scholarships have been awarded. Thanks to generous support from The Rockefeller Foundation, The Frank Karel Scholarship enables The Communications Network to offer complimentary registrations to nonprofit staffers and communications-focused academics who would not otherwise be able to attend ComNet22. Applications for the Karel Scholarship are now closed. 

Who attends The Communications Network conference?

The ComNet community is made up of leaders from philanthropy and nonprofit institutions in the U.S and increasingly around the world. Folks join us from 5 continents, and nearly all 50 states. Our attendees represent organizations including the Ford Foundation, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, StoryCorps, the Rockefeller Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, NPR, Democracy Fund, Truth Initiative, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Fair Fight, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Sesame Workshop, The Texas Tribune, The Pittsburgh Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, and hundreds more.

What accessibility options will you offer? 

The Network will be providing ASL interpreters and remote real-time captioning (CART) for all Keynote Sessions and will be able to provide for Breakout Sessions on request. Please email Carrie (cclyne@comnetwork.org) if there is a barrier for your participation or if you need to share additional access needs by October 1.

Will I be able to connect with other conference attendees prior to the conference?

Yes! You will receive an email by the end of September connecting you with other folis headed to Seattle.  Attendees' names and organizations will be posted to a password-protected page.  We will share the password with conference attendees. Please note that we never share or sell registrants’ names and contact information, such as email addresses or phone numbers, with third parties.  

What is the dress code?

We keep it casual. Cmon. Most of us have been wearing pajamas for the last few years. And also, it’s Seattle = It ain’t formal. Worth knowing: October temperatures in Seattle are normally in the 50°F range — and it rains frequently. Please plan accordingly. We also recommend you bring comfortable shoes if you want to take the 1 mile walk over to MoPOP for the Welcome Reception. 

How can I become a sponsor?

Email Sean at sgibbons@comnetwork.org for more information.

Do you have a Code of Conduct?

Yes, The Communications Network is dedicated to a safe, productive, and harassment-free experience for everyone — online and in-person. You can learn more about that here.

What is the No Solicitation Policy?

ComNet22  is an opportunity to meet new people and network. It is not an appropriate venue for a sales pitch. Here is the complete No Solicitation Policy.

I still have a question. How can I get in touch?

Please email us at info@comnetwork.org and we’ll be in touch as quickly as possible. We also recommend you lean on your peers and friends and ask for information in the app! 

Recent ComNet22 Email Announcements:

• Mon, Aug 15: ComNet22 Covid Safety Policy + Reminders