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SFA's Safety Protocols at Winter Fancy Food Show

Specialty Food Association

In preparation for the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas, taking place Feb. 6-8, the SFA has created safety protocols to keep all exhibitors and attendees safe and ensure a productive environment.

“The 2022 Winter Fancy Food Show is committed to delivering a first-class experience at the Las Vegas Convention Center while prioritizing the health and safety of all exhibitors, attendees, and the SFA team,” said SFA President Bill Lynch. “We will do everything in our power to ensure the proper procedures are in place to keep our B2B community safe.”

The Las Vegas Convention Center has received Global Biorisk Advisory Council accreditation, proving the venue is implementing the industry’s highest standards for cleaning and disinfection of infectious agents like the coronavirus.

To enter the Winter Fancy Food Show, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test done within 72 hours of arrival at the convention center, will be required from all attendees, exhibitors, and show staff. (People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.)

In addition, the state of Nevada mandates that everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a mask in public indoor settings, including resorts and casinos, restaurants, bars, showrooms, and meeting spaces. Everyone coming to the Fancy Food Show must wear a mask and keep their show badge and wristband visible.

The exhibitor health and safety checkpoint will open this Saturday, February 5. For those who want to expedite the process, SFA has partnered with Share My Health. Beginning this Thursday, February 3, participants can upload vaccine information and a photo of their COVID-19 vaccine card or a photo of their negative COVID-19 test result to Share My Health. (PCR, rapid test, and home test results will be accepted.)

Once proof of vaccination or negative test is provided at the Health and Safety Check point, participants will be given a wristband that must be kept visible when at the show.

Since tasting is a big part of the show experience, the SFA has implemented the following safety measures to make sampling possible. Exhibitors are encouraged to implement these protocols:
• The use of plexiglass shields/sneeze guards at booths
• Hand washing stations in booths
• Face masks, gloves, and utensils used when handling food
• Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas frequently

Additional safety protocols include increasing the width of many aisles on the show floor to help with social distancing; public areas and entry points will respect social distancing and use one-way traffic flow; and hand sanitization stations will be placed throughout the venue to encourage frequent hand sanitization.

Participants who do not provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test, will not be permitted at the Winter Fancy Food Show, and no refunds will be granted.

Related: SFA President Bill Lynch Discusses Winter Fancy Food ShowBlau Talks Vegas Restaurant Landscape.