Attendee Safety Onsite

 Follow the tips below to keep safe:

• If you see something, say something to ACS Staff, ACS Security, or local authorities. That includes suspicious packages, people behaving strangely or someone using strange communications.
• Act confident and focused.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and the people you encounter.
  
• Remain alert at all times, especially in crowded situations. Avoid shortcuts and walkways between buildings. Keep on well-lit and heavily traveled routes.
• Always remove your meeting name badge when you are outside the meeting venues.
• Wear comfortable shoes to ensure you can move quickly if necessary.
• Keep your eyes up, your ears open, and your phone away. Do not look down at your phone or appear that you are using your phone for directions.
• Keep your phone charged and easily accessible: Keep your phone charged and on hand in case of an emergency. Program important phone numbers, such as the police or a trusted friend or family member, into your phone for easy access.
• Travel lightly and leave anything irreplaceable in your hotel room so you don’t risk losing it
• Be Discreet with your money
• Carry your wallet and valuables in a safe place/in front. Keep a close eye on your belongings at all times.
• Always walk with a group of people (more than 2 if possible) and if that is not possible, take a taxicab, Uber or Lyft.
• After dark or after event hours, travel by hotel shuttles, taxicab, Uber or Lyft is advised.
• Beware of people who approach asking directions or are panhandling; keep a polite but safe distance.
• Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible
• Always stay in public places and never agree to follow someone to a private place alone
• Seek safety, and fight only as a last resort. 
• Understand that alcohol or drugs can cloud judgment.

• Look into the elevator carefully before you enter. If you are uncertain of any occupant, wait for the next elevator. If a suspicious person joins you in the elevator, exit before the door closes. Stand near the control panel.
• Whenever possible, look down the corridor carefully for suspicious activity before leaving the elevator.
• In your room, use your peephole to identify visitors before letting them in. Before letting in any unexpected person who claims to be hotel personnel, call the front desk to verify that he or she is legitimate. Never automatically open your door when someone knocks.
• Use every locking device on your door and turn the locks as you enter your room. Never leave your room door ajar even if you are only going down the hall for ice. Call hotel security immediately if you find the door to your room ajar and do not enter the room.
• Avoid opening your room door if someone is following you down the hall. Wait until they pass you before you put the key in the lock.
• Check carefully to know where the fire exits are. Remember that smoke rises, so the red "exit" sign will probably be invisible if there is a fire. 
• Walk from your room to the exit so you know how far away it is. Count the number of steps and open the exit door to see what is beyond it.

• Use the hotel safe deposit service, or the in-room safe for valuables.
• Lock your luggage when you are not in your room.
• Make sure no one hears your name and room number while at the front desk. Never reveal your room number or discuss plans for leaving the hotel in crowded areas where you can be overheard.
• Ask at the front desk or concierge desk about the neighborhood around the hotel so you know what streets to avoid.
• If for any reason you are uncomfortable going to your room alone, ask a bellman or security guard to escort you and to check the room for you before you enter it.
• Check all areas of your room (bath, closet, etc.) before letting the bellman leave.
• Do not use the door hanger form to order breakfast because it provides information on the number of people in the room and at what time you are expecting room service. Instead, place your order with room service by telephone.