COVID-19

For those attending the Public Exposition [Saturday and Sunday]

Effective March 12, face coverings and additional COVID-19 safety measures such as proof of vaccinations or negative tests will no longer be required by the Oregon Convention Center.

Bricks Cascade encourages all attendees to stay healthy and follow practices to keep others safe: 

• If you are sick, or feeling symptoms of any illness, please stay home. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Hand sanitizer and soap and water are readily available to use.
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Be respectful of others and provide adequate space while in attending the expo

For those attending the Private Builder’s Convention [Thursday-Sunday]

As you are probably aware, the state of Oregon has accelerated the decision to remove the statewide indoor mask mandate effective March 12, 2022. This will begin on the first public expo day of Bricks Cascade.

We have been clear from the beginning for Bricks Cascade 2022 that we would follow the venue guidelines and requirements for hosting a safe and healthy event. Oregon Convention Center has informed us that they will also remove the mask requirement on March 12, 2022. The requirements for either 1) proof of full vaccination or 2) a negative COVID test prior to entry into the venue will still apply.

However, we also believe Bricks Cascade 2022 has operated in good faith under the pretense that masks, as well as vaccinations/negative tests would be required, and recognize that many in our community made a decision to attend based on those requirements. We had also preemptively adjusted some of our plans, such as how group meetings will be hosted and cancelling the meet-and-greet pretenses. Our ultimate goal is to be inclusive and make this an environment where all can feel welcome and safe.

We’ve made the following decisions:
1. Masks will be required in all public spaces in the venue, following OCC’s guidelines, for the Thursday and Friday (in addition to the aforementioned proof of vaccination / or negative COVID test). This has not changed.
2. When the state mandate for masks ends on Saturday, so will the OCC mandate. We will still encourage masks for all public attendees and AFOLs attending the expo on Saturday and Sunday while in the Exhibit Hall and other public areas, but we will not require them.
3. However: for all AFOLs in attendance, we will still require the use masks in all of our private meeting rooms on Saturday and Sunday. This includes: presentations; panels; awards ceremonies; group meetings; games; the AFOL lounge area, etc. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
As we were evaluating our response to these rapid changes, we realized that our private events were all scheduled under the assumption that masks would be required. Since the rooms will be at capacity, we realized close quarters without a mask requirement would be uncomfortable for some.

We’re optimistic we have reached a good compromise, that will allow AFOLs to have the best experience possible. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at info@brickscascade.xyz. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation as we try our best to bring a fun and inclusive Bricks Cascade event during these challenging times.

Sincerely,

The Bricks Cascade team
Bricklandia, Inc.