Friends, with our 4th annual Atlanta Steampunk Exposition – “Steampunk Atlantis” – three weeks away, and along with it all the warmth of the fellowship, fun, and frivolity you have come to expect from your dear friends at Atlanta Steampunk Expo, we wanted to take a moment to talk about everything we are doing to provide a comfortable atmosphere for all of our guests, volunteers, and attendees.
We have been closely monitoring COVID statistics throughout the southeast, particularly the current Omicron variant that has been moving through our communities following the 2021 holiday season. This variant spreads quickly and seems to present as a cold among the vaccinated. What does this mean for this year’s Expo?
We have been following the release of the most current statistics and recommendations, as well as getting feedback from other similar events, and we are confident in moving forward with a safe and wonderful event. We believe the drop in new cases will continue, and are furthermore taking the following precautions:
We require the wearing of masks when indoors and in common areas at all times, unless seated to eat or drink.
We require proof of negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of registration for all of our guests, staff, vendors and attendees.
Proof of vaccination and booster cards are still encouraged and appreciated, but given the number of breakthrough cases with this new variant we request a negative COVID test be presented as well regardless of vaccination status, along with your state-issued ID.
We appreciate your kind consideration for your fellow attendees in taking this step to ensure we all have a good time, particularly as this will be the first time we’ll be seeing many of our dear friends in over 2 years.
What else is ASE doing to make these updates easy for everyone?
We are excited to be working with Global 7 Diagnostics to provide on-site COVID testing for all in attendance! Our on-site COVID testing will be available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and is free through your insurance provider or the government-funded Cares Act program.
We hope you will all take advantage of this extra provision to keep the Exposition as safe and as welcoming for everyone as it can be. Please visit our full list of COVID protocols for more information.
Additionally, we are thrilled to welcome many new guests and presenters this year, and in addition to the protocols above we will have:
The addition of an outdoor stage. We will be presenting a few outdoor events barring inclement weather, including musical performances, soldering demonstrations, sword fighting demonstrations, and some surprises from our friends with the Nocturnal Pirates of Atlanta.
Expanded tea room menus. Our tea room this year will offer special menus and add-on events, which will be staggered throughout the weekend and will offer full tea service at your table.
Gaming moved to the Atrium. With an expanded library of games for 2022, we will have open gaming as well as some special gaming events in our Atrium area to provide a large, comfortable area to spread out with your favorite tabletop game or battle royale with friends.
Virtual content. We are currently working to provide some of our favorite panels and presentations on our website and some of our social media sites, as well as bring in virtual presenters so that whether you are on-site with a smart device or at home you will be able to experience more of the Expo.
Kid’s Programming: We have been very excited to add programing for young adults and children with Headmistress Corbet’s “Youth Academy.” Our fine headmistress has been detailing a fanciful curriculum of crafting, education, and games, and will be presenting it with proper social distancing, instruction in manners, and regular breaks to clean and reset the room. All children must wear a mask at all times when indoors. Any adult who purchased their children’s passes in the same transaction as their own will be authorized to show a negative COVID test on their child’s behalf and pick up their badge.
We love our Steampunk family, and we are so thrilled to provide these additional considerations along with our host hotel the Doubletree by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody. We will have hand sanitizing stations throughout the common areas, seating for our friends with disabilities, regularly scheduled room cleanings, and a temperature check station at our dealer’s hall entrance.
Our top priority is the health & happiness of all our dear friends and family. Whether you are returning for your fourth year or you are brand new to ASE, you are a valued member of our community and we are eternally grateful to know such fine, considerate and welcoming folks. We are reassured knowing that by working together we will have the best Exposition yet!
For a full list of our COVID practices, please click here and keep an eye on our website for further updates as we draw closer to the event. And, as always, if you have any questions you can reach out to us by email and we will happily assist in any way we can.
Stay safe, keep steaming on, and we will see you all Feb 11-13th at “Steampunk Atlantis!”
DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody
4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30341