The Public Safety Business Summit

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Public Safety Business Summit:

What is included and not included in the registration for the Public Safety Business Summit?

  • For full registrants of the conference everything is included with the exception of alcoholic beverages, i.e. all sessions, meals, and networking programs are included.

  • For attendees registered under a guest/spouse package all meals are included. This does include the attendance during the Welcome Reception with light appetizers and the Summit Dinner listed on the agenda. No alcohol is included.

  • Alcohol is no longer included in POCUA events as it was often the primary expense of the conference and it was a benefit that not everyone fully enjoyed, i.e. those drinking less would, in essence, be subsidizing the cost for those consuming more alcohol. While we certainly have no problem with any attendees enjoying themselves and drinking responsibly, we do want to be fair and equitable to all of the registrants we have the privilege to serve during our events.

What hotel should we book for the Public Safety Business Summit?

  • For the intermediate future we plan to partner with business partners to host POCUA events. Therefore, choosing a “conference hotel” is not part of our planning process.

  • The benefit of this is we encourage attendees to choose lodging based upon their unique needs whether that is staying with a specific chain to honor a particular loyalty-program need, a quaint bed & breakfast nearby, or even staying with friends and family that happen to live nearby the event location. Under this scenario, there is no need to feel obligated to stay at a specific hotel in order to honor a POCUA room block that has to be satisfied. Find lodging where you are most comfortable.

  • The POCUA customarily provides a list of hotels within one mile of the event location as a courtesy to our registrants. These lists are not an endorsement of any hotels but are simply offered as an assistance for those looking for lodging near our events. Please feel free to choose lodging where you are most comfortable whether the venue is on our list or not.

I have a family member that just wants to stop by and say hello for an hour during the reception. Can he just come in without registering? I promise he won’t eat anything!

  • All portions of the Public Safety Business Summit - including all meals, sessions, official networking programs, and receptions - are open ONLY to those registered for the entire event, or at least that specific segment of the agenda, or those individuals working the event such as the restaurant staff.

  • The POCUA certainly wants our attendees to be comfortable. We understand that including family and friends during portions of our events, when appropriate, only adds to a positive experience. However, the contracts we enter into to provide these programs are almost always predicated on a per-person charge and, therefore, we coordinate with the venue accordingly based upon our registration list. So when a unregistered individual simply shows up during a reception or dinner it puts us in both a difficult and uncomfortable situation. The POCUA kindly asks that you do not do that.

  • Also, given the environment we live in today, especially as it pertains to certain feelings and opinions towards law-enforcement families, the POCUA is very particular on who joins us for our events. We are focused that all attendees - whether they be POCUA Credit Union representatives, Business Partners, guests, spouses, etc. - both add value to and gain value from the group’s overall experience. Individuals that hold an anti-law-enforcement mentality, although entitled to their opinions, would neither add value to or gain value from our events and should not attend.

  • Last, the investment to attend all or a portion of a POCUA event is for the overall experience. This experience includes not only really good food but also the ambiance of a quality venue, the networking with other leaders who serve first responders, and the unique learning opportunities related to the business of serving public-safety professionals and their families. The value of the overall experience, whether it be a portion or our entire event, is reflected in the pricing.

Are there any COVID-19 related restrictions?

  • The POCUA will abide by the restrictions, COVID-19 related or otherwise, followed by the venue for our event as determined by their state and local governments. For example, if the restaurant allows for full capacity and does not mandate social distancing or masks, the POCUA will offer registrations up to the allowed capacity and not mandate any additional requirements.

  • The POCUA believes that vaccinations, masks, face guards, social distancing, full-body suits, bee-keeper outfits, etc. are the individual’s choice. If you have concerns related to COVID-19 or other related factors that may make you question your personal safety when attending a POCUA event we encourage you to attend the online collaborations that are periodically offered for our constituents instead.