FAQs
1. Do I need to be vaccinated and/or wear a mask to attend the conference in-person?
In an effort to keep attendees, speakers, and event staff as safe as possible, all in-person participants of the Animal Law Conference will be required to comply with the following protocols. All participants must be fully vaccinated, including booster(s), and provide proof of vaccination during check-in at the event. All participants must also wear a face mask over their mouth and nose at all indoor conference gathering spaces and events, except when presenting, eating, or drinking. We recommend that all participants complete an antigen test prior to attending the conference and not attend in-person if they test positive or exhibit any cold, flu, or COVID symptoms. In addition, participants who test positive for COVID may not attend in-person.
If you are experiencing symptoms or test positive before the conference, please contact events@aldf.org. The Animal Law Conference staff will continue to monitor and comply with all applicable laws and guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, OSHA, and local health authorities and reserve the right to amend our safety protocols accordingly, and participants agree to comply with any such changes.
For those who are not comfortable attending the conference in person, a virtual registration option is available. Please direct any questions to events@aldf.org.
2. Will the conference be live streamed and/or recorded?
The entire conference will be livestreamed via our virtual event platform, except for the Friday Welcome Reception. To register to attend the conference remotely, click here. Access information will be provided to virtual registrants a week before the event and registrants will receive access to all sessions live and on-demand for 50 days post-event.
The panels and keynote presentation will be recorded and posted to the Animal Law Conference YouTube channel on January 1st, 2023. Subscribe to the YouTube channel to be notified when new videos are posted.
3. Will there be vegan food options available at the conference?
All meals, snacks, and drinks at the conference will be vegan/plant-based. We will also have gluten-free options available at all meals.
4. What is the dress code?
We do not uphold a strict dress code for the conference, but most attendees choose to dress business or business casual.
5. Can I bring a guest to the Friday Welcome Reception or Saturday Banquet Dinner?
If you are attending the conference in-person and would like to bring a guest to the Friday Welcome Reception or Saturday Banquet Dinner, you must purchase a ticket for your guest. Please contact events@aldf.org for more information.
6. Does the conference have an anti-harassment policy?
Yes, the conference does have an anti-harassment policy which we expect everyone attending, presenting at, or associated with the conference to adhere to. To view the policy, click here.
7. Does the conference have a sustainability policy?
Yes, the conference does have a sustainability policy. To view the policy, click here.
8. How can I offset emissions of my flight?
Flights are a major contributor to greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide (CO₂). The fuel burned during flights contributes to global warming when released into the atmosphere. A carbon offset is a credit for emissions reductions, and buying offsets helps individuals take into account the environmental costs of air travel.
Atmosfair is a good resource for calculating the CO₂ impact of your air travel, allowing you to choose your departure and arrival airports, aircraft type, and more. The offset costs are invested in renewable energy projects curated by Gold Standard, an organization founded by the WWF and other NGOs to ensure carbon emissions reduction projects maintain the highest levels of environmental integrity and contribute to sustainable development. Carbon offsets are calculated in Euros on the Atmosfair site, but you can use an online currency converter to check the price in USD or other currencies.
9. Will Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits be offered?
Yes, the conference has been approved for 13 continuing legal education (CLE) credits, including 1 ethics credit, by the Oregon State Bar Association. Most states accept credits from other mandatory CLE states such as Oregon, but please check with your local bar association to confirm. Credits are included with registration. For additional details, click here.
10. Where do I find written materials for CLE participants?
Materials submitted by the speakers are posted on the conference website here and on the virtual event platform a few weeks prior to the conference. PowerPoint presentations will also be posted on this page after the event, pending approval by individual presenters. We will not be providing print-outs of written materials.
11. Will the conference content be appropriate for all audiences?
Conference presenters are asked to include an audience warning before showing graphic content in their presentations. Given the nature of the subject matter, however, it’s reasonable to assume that some presentations will contain content which may be upsetting, e.g. photo or video evidence that depicts animal cruelty. Attendees may choose to look away or leave the room during these moments, if they would prefer not to see this type of content. Younger attendees may register at the discretion of their parent or guardian.
12. I registered for the conference but am no longer able to attend. What is the refund policy?
Refunds are available until October 31, 2022. If you need to cancel your registration, please contact events@aldf.org.
13. Is the venue ADA accessible and/or can my special accommodation request be fulfilled?
Yes, the Hilton Portland Downtown is ADA accessible (see details here). If you need to request special accommodation, please contact events@aldf.org.
14. Are companion animals or service animals allowed at the conference?
Unfortunately, the Hilton Portland Downtown does not allow companion animals. Therefore, only ADA-approved service animals are allowed at the conference. Please leave all other furry (or feathered, scaly, etc.) companions at home.
15. I am a law student an cannot afford to travel to the conference. What can I do?
The Animal Legal Defense Fund is offering a limited number of travel grants for members of our student chapters. You can find the travel grant application here. Livestream tickets are also available for those who prefer to attend the conference virtually.
16. How can I sponsor the Animal Law Conference?
Sponsorship information is available on our website here.