Emily B - National Air Filtration Association

2021 Annual Convention

Online registration is closed, on-site registration will be available

2021 Annual Convention
Clearwater, Florida, November 2 – 4

NAFA’s annual convention is back! Join us for one of the highlights of our year when over 150 professionals in the air filtration industry meet to build connections, share best practices and learn from an outstanding lineup of speakers!

COVID-19

NAFA is committed to providing a healthy, safe, productive and welcoming environment for all and will be following the current guidelines recommended by the CDC. If you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 you should follow the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. People who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, should use prevention strategies, such as wearing masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette. Our decisions and preventive measures are guided by the requirements and recommendations by both the CDC and local health authorities in which NAFA will closely monitor changing conditions and decide if protocols will change. The responsibility for a safe and healthy event environment is shared among NAFA staff, venue, and every participant. As part of your duty of care responsibilities, you should NOT attend the Annual Convention if you:

are experiencing, or within the 10 days prior have experienced signs and symptoms of COVID-19;
believe that you may have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19; and/or
have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not yet cleared as non-contagious by the health care team responsible for your treatment.

Program Highlights

Opening Keynote
The Pandemic in Perspective

Bill Bahnfleth, Ph.D., P.E
Professor, Architectural Engineering
Pennsylvania State University

William Bahnfleth is a professor of architectural engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. He held previous positions as Senior Consultant for ZBA, Inc. in Cincinnati, OH and Principal Investigator at the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory in Champaign, IL. He holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois and is a registered professional engineer. At Penn State, Dr. Bahnfleth teaches undergraduate courses in HVAC fundamentals and system design, and graduate courses in district cooling systems and indoor air quality. His research interests cover a wide variety of indoor environmental control topics including chilled water pumping systems, stratified thermal energy storage, protection of building occupants from indoor bioaerosol releases, and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation systems. He is the author or co-author of more than 170 technical papers and articles and 14 books and book chapters. Dr. Bahnfleth is a fellow of ASHRAE, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the International Society for Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ). He served as President of ASHRAE in 2013-2014 and currently chairs its Epidemic Task Force. His ASHRAE honors include the Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award, E.K. Campbell Award, and F. Paul Anderson Award. He is also a recipient of the Penn State Engineering Alumni Society’s World-Class Engineering Faculty Award and a Penn State Exemplary Designation for Faculty Outreach.

The Pandemic in Perspective: As the COVID-19 pandemic approaches the end of its second year, a number of important lessons are coming into focus. Some are the result of successes and others the consequence of failures. If fully learned, they may help to shape a better future for humanity but the path to a different and better world is fraught with obstacles. This presentation is a personal view of the events of the past two years and their possible impact on the post-pandemic world. The primary focus is the role of indoor environments in transmission of COVID-19 and the part played by science and technology in shaping efforts to mitigate risk. However, the pandemic has social, economic, and political dimensions coupled with issues of science and technology, so these, too, are addressed. A new paradigm for indoor air quality is proposed that integrates sustainability goals for good health and well-being with protection of the environment and recognizes the need for indoor environments that are resilient in response to infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters.

Your in-person registration includes:

Breakfast
Welcome Reception
Lunch
Awards Banquet
Opportunity to participate in CAFS and NCT exams (additional fee required)
Chance to tee off during the NAFA Foundation Golf Tournament (additional fee required)

Online registration is closed, on-site registration will be available

LOCATION

Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
100 Coronado Drive
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

Book your Hotel Guest Room online here. The cut-off date to receive our discounted Group rate is Monday, October 11, 2021.

Room Rates:
Single/double: $219.00
Triple: $239.00
Quad: $259.00

NAFA discounted room rates are available for three nights prior and three days post event. Room rates are subject to the current 13% state and local tax.

Included in your rate:

2 Beach Chairs and 1 Umbrella on the Beach
4 Bottles of Water
10% off retail in Pallavi Luxury Spa
Complimentary coffee in the lobby
In-room Keurig coffee maker with premium coffee and teas
WI-FI in guest rooms
Pool pampering, Activities and Entertainment

Reservation cut-off date: Monday, October 11, 2021
Check-in time: 4:00 pm; Check-out time: 11:00 am

Parking Fees:

Valet parking rate is discounted to $25.00 plus tax

A Note from the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach

The health and safety of our guests and team members continue to be a priority for us. At this time, all team members- regardless of vaccination status are required to wear masks indoors at all times. We will continue to recommend that our guests also wear masks while indoors in common areas regardless of their vaccination status. We do also have a pre-screening of all team members each day prior to a team member entering the building. As CDC guidelines continue to evolve, we will continue to provide updates regarding any changed recommendations or requirements.

For detailed information on the hotel’s Covid-19 related best practices, review the Clean Stay Health and Safety plan and check out this Health Guidelines Video to see the hotel team in action keeping events as safe as possible.

Transportation

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is conveniently served by two international airports, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Tampa International Airport (TIA). Each airport has increased precautionary steps in response to the spread of COVID-19 by expanding procedures and safety measures. Please see their websites below for additional information.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) (located approximately 12 miles from Wyndham Grand Hotel)

Airlines that serve PIE include Allegiant Air, Sunwing Airlines and SunCountry Airlines. The on-site rental car companies are Alamo, National, Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz.

Tampa International Airport (TIA) (located approximately 21 miles from Wyndham Grand Hotel)

Airlines that serve TPA include Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Contour Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Edelweiss Air, Frontier, Jet Blue, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air, Silver Airways, Southern Airways Express, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Coast Airlines (seasonal), Swift Air, Swoop, United and WestJet.

Car rentals include Advantage Rent a Car, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Executive Car Rental, Hertz, National, Thrifty.

Rideshare services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cab fare from Tampa International Airport is estimated around $60.00 one way and $25.00 from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport.

2021 Golf Tournament at Clearwater Country Club

525 N. Betty Lane
Clearwater, FL 33755
727-446-9501
www.clearwatercountryclub.com

Located just minutes from the beach, the conveniently situated Clearwater County Club sprawls across a coastal landscape of Spanish moss-draped trees and towering, mature oaks. Stevenson Creek meanders through the golf course, coming into play on 6 holes. The layout has a traditional design that is challenging but fair. The rolling fairways are well manicured and greens play at medium speed which are exceptionally well maintained.

Full Convention Schedule

Monday, November 1

NAFA Executive Officers Meeting

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Tuesday, November 2

Registration

7:30 am – 12:00 pm

Breakfast

8:00 am – 8:45 am

Welcome & Opening Remarks

8:30 am – 8:45 am

Nathan Wittman, CAFS, NCT, NAFA President
Filter Technology Company, Inc.

Patrick Rosenthal, CAFS, NAFA Secretary
TEX-AIR Filters/Air Relief Technologies

Spouse Program – Yoga on the Beach

A one-hour yoga session with a certified instructor designed for participants at various fitness level. Recharge and regenerate on the pristine shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Attendees will enjoy the opportunity to join friends in welcoming in the new day and setting intentions for peace and harmony. Yoga mat and box lunch are provided. Gather on the beach in front of the Wyndham Grand Hotel for a light snack at 10:00 am.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Opening Keynote Speaker
The Pandemic in Perspective

8:45 am – 9:45 am

Bill Bahnfleth, Ph.D., P.E
Professor, Architectural Engineering
Pennsylvania State University

As the COVID-19 pandemic approaches the end of its second year, a number of important lessons are coming into focus. Some are the result of successes and others the consequence of failures. If fully learned, they may help to shape a better future for humanity but the path to a different and better world is fraught with obstacles. This presentation is a personal view of the events of the past two years and their possible impact on the post-pandemic world. The primary focus is the role of indoor environments in transmission of COVID-19 and the part played by science and technology in shaping efforts to mitigate risk. However, the pandemic has social, economic, and political dimensions coupled with issues of science and technology, so these, too, are addressed. A new paradigm for indoor air quality is proposed that integrates sustainability goals for good health and well-being with protection of the environment and recognizes the need for indoor environments that are resilient in response to infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters.

Navigating the New Normal: Tackling Key Employment Issues During a Pandemic

9:45 am – 10:45 am

Caren Skversky Marlowe
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Last year, employers had to get creative while navigating a world where employees could not come to work, suppliers and customers were closing down, and laws were changing on a daily basis. The pandemic has created a plethora of issues for employers that require a multifaceted approach. Attendees will learn how to prepare for a return of the workforce and how to tackle key legal issues including employer liability, vaccines, remote work, accommodations and more.

Break

10:45 am – 11:00 am

Air quality Monitoring – Sensor Technologies for a Data Driven Future

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Zach Konway, Chemist
Kaiterra

Join Zach Konway as he explores air pollutants and the sensor technologies available to measure pollutants. Gain insight into the advantages and disadvantages of various sensor technologies. Tackle industry myths and facts as they pertain to air quality monitoring. Learn the advantages of continuous air quality monitoring and how air quality data may be leveraged with purification and ventilation for a healthier building environment.

NAFA Foundation Golf Tournament @ Clearwater Country Club

12:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Transportation Provided

NAFA Welcome Reception

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Wednesday, November 3