Health & Safety

As DrupalCon Chicago 2026 draws closer, conversations about community are extending beyond sessions, socials, and contributions to include how we care for one another in shared spaces. The Drupal Community Working Group's Community Health Team has been working with event organizers to gather practical, community-informed health and safety guidance that reflects how people actually experience DrupalCon.

The information below provides resources for navigating the conference, the venue, and the city with confidence, while reinforcing Drupal's longstanding commitment to an inclusive, respectful, and supportive community where everyone can show up as their whole selves.

Have questions or concerns about DrupalCon Chicago? Feel free to drop by the Community Working Group's public office hours this Friday, February 13 at 10am ET / 1200 UTC.

Join the #community-health Drupal Slack channel for more information. A meeting link will be posted there a few minutes before office hours.

DrupalCon Chicago 2026 Health and Safety

All attendees, speakers, trainers, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and event staff at DrupalCon are required to abide by the DrupalCon Code of Conduct at the conference and at social or other events hosted or sponsored by DrupalCon sponsors. 

The following information is meant to supplement and clarify information specific to DrupalCon Chicago 2026. 

Need Help?

If you have a harassment concern or need to report a Code of Conduct violation, notify the event staff or contact us at conduct@association.drupal.org.

If you need help resolving a conflict, contact the Drupal Community Working Group: drupal-cwg@drupal.org.

In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.

Health Measures

Onsite Personal Protection

  • Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the event venue.
  • A limited supply of face masks will be available upon request at Registration.
  • We respectfully remind all attendees, speakers, sponsors, and staff to:
    • Stay home if you experience any cold or flu-like symptoms.
    • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
    • Stay healthy! Engage in responsible health practices such as avoiding touching eyes/nose/mouth with unwashed hands.

Food Allergies

  • We believe it’s essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of all attendees, including those with food allergies.
  • We aim to provide a variety of choices to cater to various needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and peanut-free.
    • Please note the venue kitchen still works with nuts, so while individual choices may be nut-free, they may have been prepared in an environment containing nuts.
  • All food items will be clearly labeled at the event, indicating the ingredients used and any potential allergens present.
  • If you have any food allergies we need to be aware of, please indicate your needs when you register and/or contact registration@association.drupal.org.

Safety Resources & Tips

Attendee safety is our top priority. Always exercise common sense and good judgment when traveling.

General Safety

  • Safety in numbers: Exploring the city can be safer when done with a friend or colleague.
  • When walking around the city, remember to take off your conference badge.
  • Walk with purpose and stick to well-lit areas and on main streets.  
  • If alone after dark, use a ride service such as Lyft, Uber, or a taxi. 
  • Save the address and phone number of your accommodation in your phone.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and keep your eyes up and not on your phone.
  • If something doesn’t feel right, walk into a business/hotel for help.
  • Be careful and alert when using a cash machine.
  • Carry your purse or wallet safely. Purses should be closed and held in front of your body. Wallets should be carried in a front pants pocket or in an interior jacket pocket.

When Visiting Any Venue

  • Know your location: the venue name, street address, or cross street.
  • Take a moment to identify at least two exit routes from any building or event and emergency exit signs.
  • If an alarm sounds, evacuate immediately. Follow directions from First Responders and venue staff.
  • Do not carry any unnecessary valuables with you, or leave personal items unattended.
  • Do not leave drinks unattended, or accept open drinks or food products from strangers.

Emergency Evacuations

  • In the event of an emergency evacuation, make your way quickly and calmly to an emergency exit. Be aware of any hazards or dangers around you and proceed to a safe area.
  • Follow the advice of venue staff, security personnel, and First Responders.
  • Do not put yourself in danger by stopping or returning to collect belongings unless directed by First Responders.

Medical Resources

Nearest Hospital

Nearest Urgent Care

Nearest Pharmacies

Emergency

  • Emergency (Police, Fire, Medical): 9-1-1
  • Non-Emergency City Services (Police, Warming Centers, Housing): 3-1-1
  • Mental Health/Suicide Crisis Lifeline: 9-8-8
  • If you need assistance due to an ICE detention, or to report ICE sightings, call the ICIRR Family Support Hotline 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693) 

Safety & Trauma Resources

  • Police - 311
  • Sexual Assault Hotline - 888-293-2080 (Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline)
  • Crime Victim support line - 988, or Victim Services – Chicago Police Department
  • Taxi - 312-TAXI-CAB (312-829-4222 Chicago Yellow Cab)

Weapon Policy

As per our Code of Conduct, “no weapons of any kind or illegal drugs are permitted at DrupalCon venues”.

DrupalCon does not permit firearms or other weapons — regardless of whether they are licensed or not, or whether they are concealed or not — to be brought into our events.

Know Your Rights

Name Badges

  • Anyone within the conference space, whether they are an attendee, speaker, staff, volunteer, or vendor, must be credentialed and verified. Only attendees with official DrupalCon conference name badges and staff/vendors with approved name tags are allowed to attend sessions, events, activities and be in the conference space.
    • Conference-specific areas will have signage designating them as “reserved exclusively for registered attendees of DrupalCon”. All other areas in the Hilton Chicago should be considered “public spaces”.
  • All attendees, including speakers, staff, volunteers, vendors and exhibitors, are required to wear their name badges at all times within the conference area during conference hours. If you are not a registered attendee, you may register on-site. If you do not wish to register, we will ask you to leave.
  • We do not allow name badge swaps. If you cannot attend, you cannot give your name badge to a colleague to attend in your stead. Everyone is required to have their own registration. If we notice that you are using someone else’s name badge, we will ask you to go to the registration desk to register or we will ask you to leave. 

International Travel

Attendees, especially non-U.S. citizens and those traveling from outside the U.S., should take care to stay informed on what you may expect when traveling, including crossing the border, going through customs, and encountering federal officials at the airport or land border during travel. Please consider the following guidance:

  • Know what to expect beforehand by reviewing the travel laws both in the United States and the country you are traveling from and/or returning to.
  • Have the physical version of all required travel documents (e.g., passport, visa, etc.) and keep these on your person at all times. You may want to have multiple printed copies of documentation.
  • Have documentation of your affiliation and role at the event (e.g., your registration confirmation) and keep this on your person at all times. You may request a Visa Letter from the Drupal Association.
  • Have contact information for your country's consulate to be used as a resource while in the United States.