The Bonsai Societies of Florida (Bsf) cares deeply about our members, vendors, headliners and guests. Through the continuing efforts of the Bsf Covid-19 response task force, we have come up with guidelines that will be in effect for the 2021 convention to be held in Orlando, May 28 – 30, 2021. These guidelines present what Bsf will do to keep our members and guests safe. Bsf is closely monitoring local, state and federal mandates as they pertain to the corona virus (Covid19) and these guidelines rely on the best available science and research on sanitation and infection prevention methods.
All Bsf Board members along with Bsf Convention Staff will be wearing masks when social distancing is not feasible.
We ask that all practice physical distancing by standing at least six feet away from each other while standing in lines, using elevators, escalators, or moving around the rooms. Bsf Board members as well as Bsf Convention Staff will be reminded not to touch their faces and to practice social distancing whenever possible.
Hand sanitizers will be placed at key event entrances and contact areas such as registration desk, escalator landing, workshop rooms, and dining surfaces. The Hotel will also supply hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility.
Bsf Convention staff will be instructed to stay in their hotel room/home if they do not feel well and to contact the convention chairman if they notice someone with a cough, shortness of breath, or other know symptoms of COVID-19.
WORKSHOPS: For years, we have enjoyed spacious rooms to conduct our workshops; we can now take advantage of that space by placing the tables far enough apart for safe distancing. We will sit two people per table and position them at opposite ends.
DEMOS: The Demo room scheduled for use in 2021 can comfortably sit 60 people, however, we will limit seating to 30 seats so that we may space them appropriately apart. The Demo room will be expanded for dueling demos.
EXHIBIT: The exhibit room scheduled for use in 2021 is roughly 30% bigger than in year’s past. The proposed layout will allow us to still hold a world class exhibit while at the same time maximizing the available walking area. We will limit the amount of people in the room at any given time.
VENDOR AREA: The vendor room in 2021 is massive, however, by limiting the amount of available vendor tables (roughly 10% less than in 2019) we will provide 8-foot-wide isles for our members to navigate thru. This room will have a dedicated entrance and a dedicated exit. We will also limit amount of people in the room at any given time.
BANQUET: The room used for the banquet is actually 2 large rooms put together. We will limit the amount of people per table and add additional tables. We will treat the event just as if you were in your favorite restaurant by asking members and guests to wear masks unless they are actively eating.
CLUB NIGHT: We realize that Club Night is one of the most popular events at the convention, however, we see no practicable way of holding this event with current guidelines. We will have to cancel this event for 2021. The Scholarship Competition will now be held Saturday Night in its place.
We strongly feel that if we all do our part; we can make this convention a very safe and successful one.
