2021 Annual Meeting FAQs

Yes, the 2021 Annual Meeting will take place over two weeks: in person from November 7-11, 2021 and virtually from November 15-19, 2021.  

The In-Person portion of the Meeting will be hosted at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, Sheraton Boston, and Marriott Boston Copley Place.  

The Virtual portion of the Meeting will take place on a dedicated virtual platform. 

The 2021 Annual Meeting will be held as one event with two ways to experience it: in person (Nov. 7-11) or virtually (Nov. 15-19). Attendees will have access to everything the Meeting offers – in-person and virtually – for one cost-effective rate.

The program will include live content at both the in-person and virtual portions. All content presented in-person will be recorded onsite and uploaded to the virtual platform for on demand viewing so that those who were unable to join us in Boston can tune in to those presentations.

Likewise, live virtual sessions will be recorded and will be made available for on demand viewing on the virtual platform. 

All registrants will have access to attend both the in-person program and the virtual program, and will have access to recorded content for 30 days after the end of the conference. Attendees will also recieve permanent access to the online proceedings.

With the ever-changing landscape around COVID-19, AIChE is working with the Boston venues to adhere to all of the local and national directives for social distancing and sanitizing protocols.  Please review the COVID-19 Guidelines below in the FAQ for more detailed information. 

Your safety is our primary concern, and we will keep you updated on any changes that may occur. 

On October 15, The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines:

• Moderna 

• Pfizer/BioNTech 

• Janssen (J&J) 

• Oxford/AstraZeneca 

• Covishield 

• Sinopharm 

• Sinovac 

Please consult your country's specific policies and procedures regarding international travel. Information on testing procedures for travelers entering the U.S. may be found on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.

Local COVID-19 testing sites can be found at the Massachusetts state website (to perform a search, use zip code 02115).

Additional information can be found in the COVID-19 Guidelines section below.

You have the option of attending virtually. All content will be recorded, and you can watch during the time zone that works to your favor. 

We understand that gathering in person is a big part of what makes our meetings special, yet some attendees might not be able to or choose not to join us in person due to travel restrictions or other considerations. Looking on the bright side, there are many advantages of attending this conference virtually.  

• A more flexible virtual schedule, allowing you to drop in and out as you need to with the ability to come back and watch presentations for up to 30 days.  
• Virtual networking can be fun and easier for some than networking in-person. Do you sometimes feel you aren’t sure who to talk to at large in-person networking events? At a virtual conference, you can browse attendees’ profiles first, and then get to know them by chat and video!  
• Get interactive with live Q&A sessions allowing you to ask questions during the virtual presentations  
• Learn about companies working in chemical engineering R&D and connect with them if their services can help your work. 

Save on travel expenses and time out of the office, while still getting many of the same benefits. 

Online registration is now open. Learn more and register for the conference here.

Registration rates are set and available on the registration page. Whether you choose to attend in person or virtually, registration will be the same cost. If you choose to attend in-person for part of the event or not at all, you will have access to the virtual components as well. 

The 2021 Annual Meeting provides you access to both live and on-demand content from anywhere in the world so you won't miss a thing. All rates also include permanent access to the online proceedings and access to the recordings for 30 days after the conclusion of the conference. 

No. Once you have registered for the event, you will have full access to the in-person event as well as the virtual components. You do not have to choose during the registration process. 

Due to the current situation and the uncertainties related to planning physical conferences, AIChE is relaxing its cancellation policy. Until further notice, you can cancel for any reason up to five days before the event. Registration fees may be transferred to another individual at no charge. 

This means that you can continue to submit abstracts and register for our events without having to worry about registration fees should you not be able to attend. 

The full cancellation policy can be found here.  

AIChE has negotiated exclusive rates for several hotels in Boston. Reservation links are available for each hotel here.

Official acceptance notices will be sent out in July with more instructions for speakers on the next steps for presenting in-person or virtually. A list of best practices for presenting, recording, or hosting a session in person and virtually will be made available.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your participation, please contact 2021Annual@aiche.org.     

We realize this may be your first time sponsoring or exhibiting at an event being held both in person and virtually. This event will offer multiple avenues to highlight your company and connect with attendees in both meeting formats.

We look forward to speaking with you about the available sponsor and exhibit options. Please contact John Ellertson to learn more about the different sponsorship and exhibit options at the Annual Meeting. 

We realize this may be your first time hosting a meeting or reception at an event being held both in person and virtually. This event will offer multiple avenues to highlight your division, forum, company or university and connect with attendees in-person and virtually.

We look forward to speaking with you about the different options we have to host your event. Please contact both Michelle Marsnick and Todd Caporizzo with any questions you have. 

AIChE is asking our all attendees, exhibitors and vendors to make this attestation during the registration process in order to provide an additional layer of safety for all those who will attend the meeting in Boston in-person.

Yes. AIChE will be conducting checks at registration. Please be prepared to provide proof when you go to pick up your badge.

• Physical evidence of your vaccination status (e.g. CDC card or international equivalent)
• Photo evidence of your vaccination (e.g. photo of CDC card or international equivalent)
• Negative COVID-19 test taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to arriving at the venue. This can be any of the following:
  • Viral: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests
  • Antibody: antibody or serology tests

All COVID vaccines that are administered domestically and internationally.

• Negative COVID-19 test taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to arriving at the venue. This can be any of the following:
  • Viral: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests
  • Antibody: antibody or serology tests

Please obtain a negative COVID test, antibody or serology test 72 hours prior to arrival.

Please obtain a negative COVID test, antibody or serology test 72 hours prior to arrival.

• City of Boston, effective August 27, 2021: Face masks are required to be worn in all indoor public settings.
• All industry restrictions with Massachusetts are lifted with 100% capacity allowed.
• AIChE will continue to monitor the health and safety requirements as set forth by the CDC, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston.
• City of Boston COVID guidelines can be found at: www.bostonusa.com/covid-19
• City of Boston Mask Mandate FAQs can be found at: www.boston.gov/news/new-mask-mandate-frequently-asked-questions
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts Travel Guidelines: www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-advisory

• Per the City of Boston and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, masks are required to be worn for all persons attending the 2021 AIChE Annual Meeting. Face coverings may be removed when actively eating, drinking or giving a presentation during a meeting session.
• AIChE is requesting that all 2021 AIChE Annual Meeting attendees attest to the fact they will be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 fourteen days prior to the in-person meeting or they have received of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of arrival.
• All AIChE staff, contractors, and suppliers are also required to be either fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 vaccine. 
• In addition to the attestation of vaccination or negative test results, we will be conducting checks of vaccination proof or negative COVID-19 tests taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to arrival. We ask that you have your proof ready when you come to pick up your badge. For a full list of what’s accepted, please consult the FAQs.
• Session seating will be set at 60% of the room’s capacity and spaced in accordance with social distancing guidelines. Smaller technical session rooms will not be in use for technical sessions.
• Exhibition booths will be spaced in accordance with social distancing guidelines.
• Food Safety - AIChE is redefining how food is served at Meeting events in order to minimize exposure and contact
• AIChE will continue to monitor health and safety requirements in accordance with CDC guidelines, the guidelines for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston. Should any of these guidelines change prior to the start of the event, attendees will be notified and will be expected to adhere to the requirements in place at the time of the event.
• The John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center requires all attendees, exhibitors and staff to pass through metal detectors prior to entering the venue. The security at the Convention Center will include a canine (K-9) unit.