A replay of Macstock’s March Live Stream
Recorded March 15th, 2022
Let’s hang out in a live stream to talk the latest updates for Macstock VI!
I intend for this to be a quick one:
I’ll cover the latest statistics (they’re looking good), give an update on Macstock’s venue & hotels, let you know where we stand with Macstock VI’s safety protocols, and give a sneak peek at who we have signed up to present at Macstock VI!
Chapter Markers:
00:00 Countdown
4:58 Welcome and Intro
6:30 Macstock’s Dates and Schedule
9:05 Local Statistics
19:15 Global Risk Estimates
22:50 Hotel Update
25:05 Venue Updates
26:20 Socially Distanced Seating Plan
32:55 Protocol Updates for Macstock VI
38:45 A Look at Other Small Conferences
43:35 RSVP Attendance Requirement
48:45 First Round of Speakers
55:40 Comments, Wrap Up, and Thanks
A replay of Macstock’s first Live Stream in 2022!
Recorded February 8th, 2022*
I take a look at local COVID-19 statistics, share an overview of the Macstock in 2022 survey results, discuss why Macstock is moving away from years in the name, give the latest updates from Macstock’s venue, and we’ll close out with some important protocol and programming updates for Macstock VI.
Sitting in with me this time is Chuck Joiner of MacVoices!
* Though this was recorded live as the stream progressed, this replay has been edited to fix brief glitches in the stream, minor audio and video issues, as well as an echo on Chuck’s side due to a misconfiguration of the mixer on my end.
Chapter Markers:
00:00 Countdown
14:20 Welcome and Intro Chuck Joiner
21:40 Agenda
23:10 Local Statistics
37:15 MacVoices on Live Stream Content
41:10 Survey Results
57:18 MacVoices on CES and Remote Interviews
1:09:03 Macstock’s Name Change
1:10:28 Updates from the Venue
1:12:32 MacVoices Wrap Up
1:14:42 Protocol Updates for Macstock VI
1:25:29 Programming Updates for Macstock VI
1:30:52 Wrap Up and Thanks
From the beginning of this pandemic, one of the driving forces behind my decisions to postpone Macstock twice from July 2020 to, what I hope will be, July 2022, is your safety and the safety of the Macstock community. After all, Macstock’s heartbeat — the very thing that brings us back year after year — is the community. And if I can’t keep that community safe to the best of my abilities, then what’s the point?
So when I announced the VIP Passes for Virtual Macstock this year, I did so with the confidence that everyone who wanted to attend could do so with the assurance that I was doing everything I could to protect you and the ones you love from COVID-19 and its potentially devastating effects. And those efforts included capacity limits, mask requirements for the unvaccinated, and then, later, further capacity limits combined with a mask requirement for everyone.
Unfortunately, since announcing Virtual Macstock’s VIP Pass, the positive direction that we’d been headed combating COVID-19, not just within the United States, but around the world, has taken a decidedly downward turn due to newer and more deadly variants of COVID-19 such as the Delta variant that is currently infecting a large segment of the population.
In fact, as of last Friday, McHenry County, Illinois — where Macstock is located — was upgraded to a Highly Transmissible county by the CDC giving us the dubious honor of joining so many other areas of the country that are also branded with a big, red, blotch on the ever expanding map of COVID-19 that was, only a few months ago, looking much better.
So with that in mind, to meet insurance recommendations, and in order to provide the maximum amount of safety and comfort to our in-person guests at Virtual Macstock, effective today, I’m implementing the following NEW COVID-19 PROTOCOLS for ALL Virtual Macstock VIP Pass attendees:
In addition to the reduced capacity of 40 paid VIP Passes that I implemented on August 8th, effective August 16th, 2021, EVERYONE 12 AND OLDER WHO ATTENDS VIRTUAL MACSTOCK 2021 IN PERSON — and that includes all VIP Passholders, Volunteers, and Speakers — MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF VACCINATION AGAINST COVID-19 at the registration desk to be admitted. Those who cannot provide acceptable proof of vaccination will be turned away.
Second, while masks are not currently mandated by the State of Illinois or the City of Woodstock, face masks are highly recommended by the CDC for everyone while in public places and indoors. Therefore, Macstock will also strongly encourage the use of face coverings for all in attendance. However, with everyone in attendance vaccinated, face masks will not be required unless required/mandated by state or local governments at some point prior to September 25th, 2021. UPDATE! As promised, the rules have changed AGAIN. Effective Monday, August 30th, the State of Illinois is reinstituting a statewide indoor mask mandate requiring facial coverings within indoor settings like Virtual Macstock, regardless of vaccination status. So please be sure to come with your own mask that can be worn comfortably over your mouth and nose during the entire time you’re inside the Stage Left Café attending Virtual Macstock.
Finally, because I understand this is the third time I’ve changed the rules on you since announcing the VIP Pass, effective August 16th, I am eliminating the $10 processing fee from refunds as well as extending the window to receive a full refund on your VIP Pass to September 18th. This means, regardless of the circumstances that might require you to ask for a refund, you will have up to one week prior to Virtual Macstock to decide if you’re unable to attend for any reason and/or meet the requirements of providing proof of vaccination.
There’s a limit to what I can do to protect the Macstock Community. While keeping you safe is my priority, I can’t protect the Macstock Community alone. I need your help and I thank everyone for your patience, understanding, and willingness to respectfully comply with our policies for the safety of all attending.
A Look Toward Macstock’s Future
As an event that thrives on social interaction and community building, Macstock will not survive on virtual alone.
So if Macstock is to enjoy another 5 wonderful years, we need to get back to a place where not only can we host Macstock without the specter of COVID hanging over our heads, but we can do so in a way that encourages the participation, fellowship, and community that we’ve come to love about Macstock.
To get to that point for Macstock 2022 next July, I believe that, for the moment, we’ll need to look at the current state of Virtual Macstock’s VIP Pass and its COVID Protocols as the model for Macstock 2022…at least until we can finally put this pandemic behind us.
*NEW* FEBRUARY 2022 UPDATE #2: Where we’re at with the next Macstock, what needs to happen before we can get together again, and a couple ideas I have for the Macstock community in 2021.Though I can’t confirm the dates quite yet, I’m now targeting July 2022. For details, check out my video here on the Macstock YouTube Channel.
ALL PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED TICKETS TO MACSTOCK 2020 WILL BE HONORED FOR THE NEXT IN-PERSON MACSTOCK CONFERENCE!
FEBRUARY 2021 UPDATE: Due to the ongoing global pandemic, Macstock has been officially postponed to a future date yet to be determined. Estimated future dates below have been modified to reflect this update.
ALL PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED TICKETS TO MACSTOCK 2020 WILL BE HONORED FOR THE NEXT IN-PERSON MACSTOCK CONFERENCE!
UPDATED: October 18, 2020 – Tentative Dates Temporarily Removed Until I Can Confirm Dates and Capacity Limits
This is a long one folks, but if you’ve been planning to coming to Macstock 2020, please read through to the end.
It seems so long ago now, but it’s only been a little over 4 weeks…TO THE DAY…since I launched the Early Bird Sale for Macstock 2020.
Since that time, I’ve received so many encouraging emails from folks who’ve registered for Macstock 2020 and told me how much they’re looking forward to a little bit of normalcy returning to our lives — and that Macstock 2020 was going to be their celebration of that return to that world.
It was that encouragement, plus the guidance of health officials locally, nationally, and internationally that have kept me cautiously optimistic throughout all this.
After all, it’s only been about 3 months since the start of 2020.
Which meant that, as of a week ago, there were still 4 months to go until Macstock weekend. Not even half-way to Macstock!
But with everything changing, quite literally, on a daily basis, it’s become increasingly harder to predict where things will be next week let alone July 25th.
So I made the determination about a week ago that I was going to set TWO Milestone Dates for Macstock 2020: April 25th and May 25th.
That’s 3 months and 2 months prior to Macstock weekend.
I figured one of three things would happen:
1) If things take a turn for the worse, then I will announce on April 25th that Macstock is postponed until next year.
2) If things look okay by April 25th, but aren’t markedly better by May 25th, then I’m postponing until next year.
3) If things ARE markedly better by May 25th, and I could assure a SAFE environment for Macstock’s attendees, then we might just be able to pull it off!
As the week wore on, it became increasingly obvious that none of those scenarios SHOULD play out. The decision needs to be made now.
So this is not the letter I planned to post today.
It’s the letter I have to post.
I can no longer simply look at the impact COVID-19 by itself will have on Macstock weekend, because even if the pandemic disappears tomorrow, next week, or next month, there are longer lasting side-effects on Macstock, it’s attendees, and our ability to come together for Macstock’s 6th year this July.
In the end, deciding to host Macstock in 2020 is about more than if the virus has run it’s course:
It’s about personal safety for you and your families.
It’s about financial stability for attendees, presenters and volunteers.
And it’s about doing the right thing for those who’ve entrusted me to bring everyone together each year in a safe, warm, and welcoming environment.
I want to assure everyone that Macstock is very personal for me and my family.
We’re a household of two small businesses, and bringing everyone together at Macstock by creating a fun, educational, community-focused atmosphere is a big part of what I do with mine from January through August each year. But we’re small businesses none-the-less and, like so, so, so many of you, this pandemic is hitting us hard. So Janet and I understand all-too-well the economic impact COVID-19 has had on everyone the world over.
But, in addition to that, I’ve PROMISED all who’ve written to inquire about Macstock’s status that I will do right by you.
So that’s what I’m doing.
As of today, Macstock 2020 is officially postponed to July 2021 (DATES TBD).
Read on for more details…
Coming Back BIGGER and BETTER!
Here’s what I’m going to do for everyone who purchased a ticket for Macstock 2020 (and those who haven’t yet):
I’m going to expand (the next) Macstock 2021 Weekend to THREE days so I can bring you even more of the amazing speakers who’ve submitted talks to me this year.
Everyone who already purchased a ticket to Macstock 2020 will have their ticket automatically transferred to (the next) Macstock 2021 and get those 3 days of Macstock 2021 at no additional charge. There is nothing you need to do for this to happen. If you purchased a ticket to Macstock 2020, this will automagically become a (future) Macstock 2021 ticket unless I hear otherwise from you.
To take it one step further, anyone who purchases a ticket to Macstock between now and July 26th, 2020 (the end of what would have been Macstock 2020 weekend) will attend (the next) Macstock 2021 at this year’s pricing!
Yes, the cost of a Macstock ticket will go up next year to account for that extra day, but not until after July 26th, so if you haven’t decided to join us yet, this is your chance to save really big on Macstock 2021!
Dates for (the next) Macstock 2021 will be finalized as soon as I can set them with the conference center, but I’m targeting Friday July 23rd – Sunday July 25th, 2021 (DATES TBD).
Finally, Macstock 2020’s refund window will be extended until further notice to allow for cancellations if you decide next year’s finalized timing doesn’t work for you.
I Still Want to “See” You in 2020!
In addition to “plussing” Macstock 2021 for everyone, I’ve been playing with ideas to strengthen the Macstock community for those days and weeks we’re not all gathering in the halls of the Luecht Conference Center, and I have a few things in mind that I’ll be announcing in the coming weeks.
Specifically, if you’re all up for it, I’d really like to do something the weekend of July 25th and/or 26th. Perhaps a free LIVE event?
Details are still very much crammed in this empty cavern of a skull I affectionately call my “head”, but as soon as I have some plans in place that I can share, THIS will be the best place to hear about them.
(I’m also open to suggestions!)
So that’s it for this time.
I can’t tell you how much it genuinely pains me to write this letter.
But it’s the right thing to do. And doing the right thing is the promise I’ve made to all of you.
PLEASE don’t hesitate to reach out to me with your questions, comments, concerns, ideas, or…just to say “Hi”. I will miss seeing you all. But even if we can’t see each other in person this year, we have next year to look forward to! It’s going to be a great one!
Stay safe. Be well. And thank you very much for your patience and understanding at this time.
There are two new “milestone” dates for Macstock 2020: April 25th and May 25th. These are new Major Go / No Go Dates for Macstock and represent 3 months and 2 months prior to Macstock 2020 Weekend.
With the rapid spread of COVID-19 abroad and here in the United States, I’ve been monitoring the situation very closely the past few weeks, watching what other conferences & events scheduled for this summer are doing, speaking with local health officials here in my area, as well as taking counsel from organizations such as the World Health Organization and the CDC.
At the moment, Macstock 2020 will be held as scheduled.
As news of the pandemic continues to change (seemingly on an hourly basis), so might the plans for Macstock 2020. Rest assured, I will continue to keep a very close eye on the situation, and I will act responsibly for the health and safety of everyone within the Macstock community.
This page will be updated as the situation evolves. Thank you all very much for your patience and understanding.
Mike
UPDATED 03/22/2020: added link to Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings
UPDATED 03/15/2020: added latest mass gathering guidance from the CDC
UPDATED 03/15/2020: added statement from Illinois Department of Public Health
Actions I’m Taking for Macstock 2020 in Response to COVID-19
Making a “Go/No Go” decision each week as we get closer to Macstock 2020.
Cap Macstock ticket sales at 60% capacity of the conference center, so Macstock attendees can spread out comfortably.
“Permanent” Early Bird pricing so nobody is pressured into deciding to attend before they’re ready to.
Limit number of attendees who can enter the breakout room to 50% capacity for deeper dive sessions.
Working with our venue to reinforce best practice health and food handling protocols including frequent and proper hand washing.
Establishing proper hygiene protocols for all volunteers and attendees.
Providing all Macstock volunteers educational material on recognizing symptoms and preventive measures for COVID-19.
Asking attendees and volunteers to stay home if they are sick, showing symptoms of possible illness, or have potentially been exposed to the virus within 2 weeks (14 days) of Macstock. For those who are/may be affected, providing options for transferring your ticket to Macstock 2021, donating/transferring your ticket to another attendee, or obtaining a refund.
Working with McHenry County Department of Health, WHO, and CDC for guidance as we move closer to Macstock weekend.
Developing a postponement plan for Macstock 2020.
UPDATES
03/22/2020: ADDED Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings
03/15/2020: Statement from Centers for Disease Control on Mass Gatherings
The CDC issued the following directive on Sunday, March 15th:
Guidance as of 3/15/2020
…in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
With two weeks left to go in March, all of April, and then half of May to hit the CDC’s 8 week mark, it looks like we’ll have yet another 8-10 weeks after this recommended cancellation period until Macstock 2020 Weekend. I’m hopeful, of course, the COVID-19 outbreak will weaken by the end of this 8 week recommendation period and we can run as planned.
If it becomes necessary to do so, I don’t want to make the postponement/cancellation of Macstock a last-minute scramble for anyone, so I will be watching developments and make a decision that will have the least impact on the Macstock Community.
03/15/2020: Statement from Illinois Department of Public Health
I received the following statement via email in response to my direct question regarding Macstock 2020:
In Illinois, all large-scale events exceeding 1,000 individuals must be cancelled until April 11. We are encouraging that community events of 250 or more be cancelled or postponed until May 1, including personal and social events. Citizens should consider this in their personal lives and consider refraining from attending events of this size if they are not cancelled or postponed. https://www2.illinois.gov/Pages/news-item.aspx?ReleaseID=21245
I consider this is a fluid statement and subject to change. Again, I will continue to seek guidance as we get closer to Macstock 2020.
Here are a Few Resources and Metrics I’ve Been Using
Organizations and Events within the US similar to Macstock (WordCamps, Local User Groups) that have canceled gatherings and events scheduled for late June and beyond.
Local community recommendations, Macstock’s partners (conference center, hotels, and caterers), and, of course, the Macstock Community’s thoughts and sentiment.
