Digital Health Passports Ease Path for In-Person Events

March 1, 2021
Digital Health Passports Ease Path for In-Person Events

International travelers are used to presenting passports to enter foreign countries. Event attendees may very well have a similar requirement going forward — one tracking health status.

Sharemy.health is quickly establishing itself as the go-to platform for major organizations to ensure safety while bringing back face-to-face events. With clients including the U.S. Olympic Committee, Major League Baseball, universities and live events, the cloud-based software’s offerings include a digital passport providing proof of vaccinations. 

The offering comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidelines prioritizing hotel workers to be part of Phase 1c of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, opening the door for more event professionals to be eligible for vaccines soon.

In February, Sharemy.health announced that it has joined with Fern, one of the largest event and production contractors in North America, to deploy its all-new digital health passport app and private vaccine registry—Fern HealthCheck—to ease the safe return to work for thousands of employees and contractors, as well as participants of live events and in-person conferences, across the United States. 

The partnerships allows for the following:

  • A digital health passport allowing individuals to control who sees their health status and for how long;
  • Vaccine credentials sharing and digital management;
  • COVID-19 testing with verification and certification;
  • Event organizers manage health and safety of event staff, attendees and exhibitors with analytics and dashboard reporting;
  • Interoperability with industry and government registration and mobile app solutions in a HIPAA-compliant manner.

“The organizer can apply their own protocol of testing to balance out their comfort level with risk, cost and attendee experience,” said Galen Murdock, founder and CEO of Sharemy.health.

Ideal for today’s challenges moving past the pandemic, Sharemy.health originally conceived of its services to assist homeless shelters access health and medical records without sacrificing guaranteed patient privacy. It then transitioned to include universities before expanding to events.

More than a status report, the platform is a full-testing solution. Attendees begin the process at home (or office) prior to a trade show or conference to minimize exposure risk at the event. Partnering labs process up to 15,000 tests per day, allowing the platform to serve events with more than 50,000 participants/attendees. 

Here is how it works: 

  • The attendee receives the testing kits at home
  • He or she takes the saliva-based test and ships it overnight to the lab
  • Results are securely transmitted to the attendee via the secure app
  • The results are instantaneously integrated into state and organization’s systems
  • The attendee shares the results as a virtual passport to enter the conference or trade show.

“The platform creates a ‘bubble’ for an event, with health-based access control at every entrance,” Murdock explained.

Digital Health Passports Ease Path for In-Person EventsAttendees choose with whom, when, where and for how long their information is shared. Organizers can integrate the process into their own pre-existing registration systems. The platform coordinates with testing administrators like CVS and other health care providers.

Applications extend beyond the pandemic, even if COVID-19 evolves to endemic (ongoing) status. Murdock noted the platform can be used for HIV, SARS and variant treatment, as well as testing legal and illegal drugs, including steroids (important for sporting events).

Sharemy.health is gaining popularity at a time when health concerns for attendees have never been higher. Organizations across the world and all industries are adopting additional measures to put attendees’ minds at ease.

For instance, Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions recently launched VisionSAFE, a comprehensive set of health and safety guidelines, policies and resources designed to support a safe experience at Vision Expo East 2021, which is scheduled to take place June 2–5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

Similarly, Informa set specific measures in place for its fashion show, MAGIC, as did Tarsus for OFFPRICE. The efforts are examples of the customization required to attend the specific needs of each conference or event—one-size-fit-all solutions are impractical given different venues, attendee expectations and status of the virus.

 

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

 

Add new comment

Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:  Protecting Natural Resources  MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.  Committed to Community  Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.  MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.   Fostering Diversity & Inclusion  To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.  MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.