After weeks of deliberation, countless thoughtful conversations and consultations with our lawyers, it is with a heavy heart that we officially announce the cancellation of the 2020 SNAG Conference. Though we have not yet been released from our contract with the conference hotel, we cannot, in good faith, risk the health and safety of anyone involved by proceeding with our gathering. Some of you may be disappointed by this news. Some will be relieved. Chances are it will not come as a big surprise at this point, and like so much of the news around this world crisis, will bring a mix of emotions.
Our annual conferences are complex and have come to include many elements, including programs, exhibitions, workshops and events. We know you probably have many questions, including details about how refunds will be processed. Please see below for specifics on the refund policies for the elements of the conference that may apply to you.
In order to keep up with the demand while also keeping SNAG’s proverbial doors open, we will be processing refunds in the order in which the original registrations were received (i.e. those who registered in January will be refunded first, etc.). Each refund will need to be processed manually, which will take time. We anticipate the entire process will take approximately 90 days. We ask that everyone affected by this decision act with patience and kindness while our small staff organizes this effort while also adjusting to mandatory work-from-home measures.
As we have said, SNAG is not just an organization, it is a community. We know that the cancellation of this beloved annual opportunity to share ideas, get new inspiration, and gather with colleagues and friends old and new is a major loss for each of us. We also know that the pandemic has affected us all, and that new resources and opportunities are needed. As we get to the other side of this decision and all the tasks associated with it, SNAG staff and volunteers will be working on ways to offer you new avenues to connect from afar. We are also exploring the possibility of bringing some 2020 conference elements online, as well as a variety of options for our 2021 conference, including restaging it in Philadelphia.
We will keep you posted about any new opportunities and plans that arise. Please read all of our emails and newsletters carefully and check our website for answers to your questions rather than reaching out to SNAG staff, since we will not be able to respond to individual email inquiries at this time.
Many thanks and we hope to see you all healthy and brimming with new ideas in 2021.
Warm regards,
Brian Ferrell, SNAG Board President
Gwynne Rukenbrod Smith, SNAG Executive Director
Kristin Mitsu Shiga, SNAG Education Director
CANCELLATIONS, DONATIONS & REFUNDS
All refunds will be issued in the same form used for payment (so if you paid by credit card, the card you used to pay will be refunded). SNAG staff will reach out to you if we need more information. Please refrain from contacting SNAG with non-urgent questions during this time.
If you would like a refund or to make a donation, please complete this GOOGLE FORM by April 15.
Anyone who wishes to receive a refund must complete this form.
We will begin processing refunds on April 16, and expect the entire process to take up to 90 days.
- Conference Registrants
SNAG has already incurred significant expenses in preparation for the conference that are not reimbursable or covered by our insurance. The loss of our conference also means we have lost ⅓ of our budgeted income for the year. This is a devastating blow to SNAG’s finances. To help offset these costs and keep SNAG’s doors open, the Early Bird cancellation fee of $50 will be retained from each paid conference attendee registration. In order to insure the future of the organization, we are also asking all who are able to consider donating all or part of their fees toward operations. Any amount helps, and you will receive a receipt for tax purposes.
If you would like a refund or to make a donation, please complete this GOOGLE FORM by April 15.
Anyone who wishes to receive a refund must complete this form.
If you would like to donate all or part of your fees (THANK YOU!) you may do so using the same form (THANK YOU AGAIN!).You will receive an email verification once your form is submitted. Please remember that we will process refunds in the order in which the original registrations were received, and the manual processing of all refund requests will take approximately 90 days. If we do not receive your completed refund form by April 15, we will assume you wish to donate 100% of the fees paid to SNAG. Please refrain from contacting SNAG staff to check on the status of your refund, as we do not have the capacity to reply to individual requests at this time.
- Exhibition in Motion Tickets (VIP & General Admission)
Tickets will be refunded in full in the order in which they were purchased. If you purchased tickets along with a conference registration, they will be refunded together.
- VIP Trunk Show Tickets
Tickets will be refunded in full in the order in which they were purchased. If you purchased tickets along with a conference registration, they will be refunded together.
- Trunk Show Tables
Table fees will be refunded in full. We are discussing the possibility of hosting a virtual trunk show open to any SNAG member online in the coming months. Stay tuned for details.
- Education Resource Room Tables
Education Resource Room table fees will be refunded in full in the order in which they were purchased. .
- Adorned Spaces Exhibition Fees
Adorned Spaces exhibition fees will be refunded in full in full in the order in which they were purchased. .
- Vendors
Vendors have three options for their refunds:1. A vendor can receive a 50% refund for their vendor booth fees + all additional add-ons like electric and internet. This offers the vendor the option to participate in the new vendor promotion program that SNAG has developed in an effort to bring your company visibility and sales. If you would like to participate in the program, please fill out the form HERE.2. A vendor can receive 50% refund of their vendor booth fees + all additional add-ons like electric and internet, and use the other 50% as a deposit for next year’s conference.3. A vendor can receive 100% refund of their vendor room booth minus a $50 cancellation fee + all additional add-ons like electric and internet.
For questions or to indicate which of these options you would prefer, please contact John Garbett.
- Raffle Tickets
Raffle tickets are non-refundable. We are planning to hold the raffle virtually, so your tickets will be entered into that drawing! View the amazing prizes, purchase additional tickets and learn more HERE.
- Jury & Entry Fees
Jury and entry fees for any juried shows are non-refundable. We are in discussions about moving some of the exhibitions planned for 2020 online, and holding some of them in conjunction with the 2021 conference. Details to follow.
- Exhibitions
Please contact specific exhibition venues and or/curators for details around how those exhibitions will be handled.
- Pre-Conference Workshops
Both on and off-site pre-conference workshop tuition collected by SNAG will be refunded in full. We are working with instructors of the on-site professional practices workshops to offer those online as part of SNAG’s Road 2 Success program. Rescheduled online workshops will be posted HERE when they are finalized.
- Memberships
Memberships are non-refundable.
- Hotel Reservations
All reservations made at the conference hotel as part of your registration process will be automatically cancelled at no charge. If you have made alternative plans for lodging during the conference, be sure to check in with your hosts about cancelling.
- Travel
Many airlines are waiving change and refund fees during the pandemic. Remember to check with your airline, car rental agency, train service or other mode of transportation about cancellation arrangements.