Media Logistics – Summit of the Americas

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Official Photos on Flickr

The Ninth Summit of the Americas is underway in Los Angeles, California with a focus on “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future” for our hemisphere. As the only hemispheric meeting of leaders from the countries of the Americas, the Summit serves as the most important forum to address our region’s shared challenges and opportunities. The Ninth Summit marks the first time the United States has hosted the event since the inaugural meeting in Miami in 1994. It is President Biden’s highest priority event for the region. Additional information is available on the Summit of the Americas page.

Summary and Security

The Summit is taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. To access any Summit of the Americas official events, all media members require event-issued credential for access, regardless of existing federal or official identification. Credentialing closed on May 6th, and no late or last-minute exceptions will be permitted.

Due to significant capacity limitations, most coverage opportunities at the Summit will be pooled, and selection of pool participants will be at the determination of individual attending delegations. Approval of media accreditation will permit access to the International Media Center but does not guarantee access to specific Summit events.

Additional details regarding security, credential pick-up, arrival logistics, and operational hours/pre-set arrangements will be transmitted to accredited media.

Accreditation and Access

All media representatives wishing to cover the Summit, or access the Summit site, must have a media credential. Credentialing closed on May 6th, and no late or last-minute exceptions will be permitted.

Digital “passport-style” photographs (clear, color and recent) will be required for submission at a minimum dimension of 120 pixels x 150 pixels at 150 dpi. An image file is required to submit the Application Form to attend the Summit of the Americas. The photo background must be plain – white/grey are recommended – with no hat or head covering permitted. We ask that you do not upload scanned images of actual documents (e.g. passports/driver’s licenses). The application will also solicit additional personal information (e.g. full legal name, date of birth, gender, national identification or passport number, city of residence, etc.), These fields will be required and all required fields must be completed in order to submit your form (all required fields will have a RED outline around them).

Please note that submission of an application does not guarantee or constitute approval, and Summit accreditation is independent from the visa process necessary for travel to the United States. Visa approval does not guarantee Summit accreditation, nor vice-versa.

Schedule and Coverage Opportunities

Official Schedule

Media representatives should expect various Leaders’-level media opportunities, beginning at approximately 8:00 AM ET and ending at 5:00 PM ET each day. Participating delegations may schedule informal or formal media opportunities throughout the duration of the Summit.

Additionally, in the spirit of promoting greater dialogue between heads of government and the people and businesses of the Americas to address hemispheric challenges and opportunities including social inclusion, economic recovery, climate change, democracy, digital transformation, and democracy, the Summit will include three official stakeholder forums in Los Angeles, occurring adjacent to the official program:

• The Ninth Civil Society Forum (organized by the Organization of American States)
• The Sixth Young Americas Forum (organized by the Young Americas Business Trust)
• The Fourth CEO Summit of the Americas (organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Further, we anticipate a number of concurrent unofficial side events to take place outside the Summit agenda, programmed by a wide variety of civil society or nonprofit organizers unaffiliated with the United States Government. Press access and coverage at each official forum, as well as any third-party events taking place in Los Angeles June 6-10, is at the discretion of Event organizers, whom should be contacted directly regarding logistical or editorial inquiries.

International Media Center (IMC), HostTV

The United States will provide an International Media Center (IMC) within the Summit venue, consisting of unassigned workspace and live shot/stand-up broadcast positions. Unassigned workstations are available at no charge on a first-come, first-serve basis, and will include complimentary wireless internet access and power outlets (North American 110V).

Additional services beyond those provided complimentary (e.g. high-speed wired/wireless internet, additional power, or custom workspace) will be available on a fee-for-purchase basis through the media services rate card,  available through this link . Personal login information, for both new registrants and existing users, will be distributed once the Media Service Rate Card is published, and the ratecard order deadline is expected to be approximately May 20, 2022.

Media organizations wishing to inquire about live/broadcast locations or parking availability for live transmission vehicles should utilize the media services ratecard by no later than May 20, 2022; this form requires organizations to indicate the type of vehicle and length. Due to security restrictions, satellite trucks will be required to remain parked overnight for the duration of the Summit.

HostTV: The United States will make available video and still images of public Summit events, including Leader Summit meeting opportunities as determined, “clean” (no graphics/chryons), on a complimentary basis. It will be streamed live and available for download. Additional technical details can be found on our HostTV information page.

Accommodations

The United States is not providing accommodations for media attending the Summit of the Americas, and all lodging must be secured independently. Given the height of tourism season in Los Angeles, all attending media should endeavor to secure accommodations as quickly as possible.

COVID-19: Testing and Vaccination Requirements

All participants accessing the Summit of the Americas are subject to COVID-19 compliance requirements; guidance is subject to change based on developments in local health conditions or as recommended by health authorities.

• Media traveling to the United States: Must not have been identified as a close contact to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days. Must test negative on a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test within 24 hours prior to arrival in Los Angeles. Other molecular diagnostic tests and antigen tests will not be accepted. The procedures for submitting negative test documentation, including the specific test(s) used, will be transmitted to approved media. In addition, general information on vaccine and testing requirements for travel to the United States is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All individuals flying into the United States will be subject to routine Customs & Border Protection arrival procedures.
• Media within the United States: Detailed information about the COVID-19 testing requirements in Los Angeles for participating in the Summit of the Americas is forthcoming and will be transmitted to approved media.
• All media attending the Summit of the Americas: Will be required to upload documentation of vaccination status, including the number and type of vaccine doses received, once approved. Note: The CDC considers individuals fully vaccinated two (2) weeks (14 days) after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two (2) weeks (14 days) after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

Visas and Customs

It is strongly recommended that journalists planning to travel to the United States for the Summit start the visa application process as soon as possible, regardless of the accreditation process. As previously stated, visa approval does not guarantee accreditation, nor vice-versa. Additional visa information for journalists traveling as part of an official delegation can be sent via email inquiry to the Office of the Chief of Protocol at summitmedia@state.gov.

All media covering the Summit who are not U.S. citizens, or who do not currently have authorization to work in the United States, are required to have an “I” visa. The Visa Waiver Program does not cover individuals coming to the United States to work, even for a short period of time. Additionally, the Visa Waiver Program is not applicable to persons traveling on diplomatic passports. Visit http://travel.state.gov for more information.

Media Equipment: Media bringing in equipment (from outside the United States) to the Summit should obtain a Temporary Importation Bond (TIB) or ATA Carnet. Additional information regarding TIB or ATA Carnet is available online at the Department of Homeland Security or International Chamber of Commerce.

Additional Questions, Technical Inquiries, and Contact Information   Please email summitmedia@state.gov with any logistical media inquiries. For broader press inquiries regarding the Summit, please contact WHAPress@state.gov.