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The North American Tunneling Conference (NAT) is the premier biennial tunneling event for North America, bringing together the brightest, most resourceful and innovative minds in the tunneling and underground construction industry.

NAT 2020 HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR YOUR SAFETY

 
April 14, 2020

We are disappointed to inform you that NAT 2020 has been canceled. It is with the safety of all involved, coupled with the uncertainty of what business and travel environments will look like in June, that we have made the difficult decision to cancel this important event

One of the core values of the UCA of SME is health and safety, so it is even more critical that we take measures to stay true to our principles and lead the way in these uncertain times. It’s not the outcome we planned for and we are saddened we won’t see you in Nashville. However, the UCA staff is working on potential virtual options to offer. Stay tuned for more information coming soon

We promised you a risk-free registration and here is how we are honoring that promise:

  • Registration refunds – We are working to process your refund as soon as possible. Please be patient during this time.
  • Hotel refunds – If you booked your hotel though the hotel block your reservation will automatically cancel at no charge. If you booked your hotel through a third-party site, you will need to cancel that reservation.

NAT conference proceedings will be available in May through the UCA bookstore. Watch your email for details. You can find other online technical resources from UCA including webinars, eBooks and papers, including access to OneTunnel.org, at ucaofsmenet.org. We remain committed to your professional development, wherever you are.

Looking forward, we know the current situation won’t last, so mark your calendars for the Cutting Edge Conference held November 9-11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas and for RETC held June 13-16, 2021 in Las Vegas.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our customer service department at customerservice@smenet.org or find more information online at natconference.com/COVID

Be safe and take care.

The UCA of SME


General FAQs

Due to the uncertainty of the current environment and space considerations, NAT will not be rescheduled for 2020 or 2021. UCA of SME staff is reviewing options to offer some portions of NAT virtually. Please watch your email or the NAT Conference web page in the coming weeks for updates.

Yes. Attendee conference registrations will be automatically canceled and refunded in full. Any tickets purchased with your registration will also be refunded in full. Refunds processing will begin as soon as possible.

Options for Exhibitors:

OPTION 1: Take advantage of priority booth selection, NAT 2020 booth pricing and select your booth now for RETC 2021 by applying your fees paid. RETC 2021 will take place June 13-16, 2021 in Las Vegas, NV.

OPTION 2: Receive a full refund of your booth payment. Refunds will be issued in the method of original payment and may take up to 45 days. Please note, exhibitors who choose to receive a full refund will not receive priority for booth placement at RETC.

Options for Sponsors:

OPTION 1: Apply your sponsorship to RETC 2021, June 13-16, 2021 in Las Vegas, NV. The promotional cycle of your sponsorship will be extended, as we include you as an RETC 2021 sponsoring partner from day 1. Additionally, you will be remain visible as a sponsor of potential virtual components of NAT

OPTION 2: Receive a full refund of your sponsorship. Refunds will be issued in the method of original payment and may take up to 45 days.

If you booked your housing at the Gaylord Opryland through the NAT website, your reservation will automatically be canceled. Please watch your email for confirmation.

If you booked at a nearby hotel or via a third-party service (Expedia, Hotels.com, etc.), you will need to contact that vendor directly. UCA of SME is not responsible for any fees incurred for rooms blocked outside of the official NAT block.

Yes. UCA of SME staff is excited to bring you great content from NAT. Please watch your email or the NAT website for updates on how you can receive the NAT 2020 proceedings.

Exhibitor FAQs

Exhibitors paid in full for NAT 2020 have the option to apply fees paid to purchase booth space at RETC 2021. These exhibitors will be contacted with details on available options for booth selection. Those exhibitors who elect to receive a refund for their NAT booth will be able to purchase a space for RETC when and if spots are still available.
UCA of SME has reached out to our partnering vendors and made them aware of the cancellation. Exhibitors who have already secured services should contact those vendors directly. Information is available on your Exhibitor Dashboard (click here to login). https://nat20.exh.mapyourshow.com/6_0/login.cfm

Author FAQs

UCA of SME is producing the NAT2020 Proceedings. Final manuscript submissions are included and can be referenced. UCA of SME holds copyright and all manuscripts will be included in OneTunnel.org and available for sale and distribution. Please watch your email or the NAT website for updates on how you can receive the NAT 2020 proceedings.
If you would be interested in presenting in a virtual format, please email davis@smenet.org. Additional information will be sent to authors/speakers soon.

Advertiser FAQs

UCA of SME will offer all confirmed ShowGuide advertisers an opportunity to run their ad in the May issue of Tunneling & Underground Construction. Each advertiser will be contacted with options in the coming weeks.
Because of NAT’s cancellation, there will not be a ShowGuide published in 2020.

Scholarship/Award Winner FAQs

At this time, scholarship applications are not open for RETC and there is no plan to add scholarships to other upcoming UCA of SME conferences. UCA Staff will keep all current scholarship applications and will not require applicants to re-apply for RETC 2021. Those students who are no longer eligible will be contacted individually.
UCA is working on plans to acknowledge our award winners and will notify individuals once plans are confirmed.

 

Have a question not addressed above? Please reach out:

UCA of SME Customer Service 
Tel: 303.948.4200 or +1.800.763.3132 (US Only) 
Email: cs@smenet.org

Meetings Department 
Tel: 303.948.4214
Email: meetings@smenet.org

Exhibit Sales & Operations 
Tel: 303.948.4228
Email: exhibits@smenet.org

Sponsorship Sales 
Tel: 303.948.4224 
Email: sponsorships@smenet.org

Advertising 
Tel: 303.948.4243 
Email: advertising@smenet.org

Authors Support 
Tel: 303.948.4215 
Email: authors@smenet.org

Press & Media Relations 
Tel: 303.948.4244 
Email: press@smenet.org

 

COVID-19 Tracking & Resources

 

Previous Updates

March 18, 2020

In these rapidly changing times, we understand it can be difficult to make decisions to attend a conference.  We’d like to offer you a risk-free registration:

  • We’ve extend our registration refund date through Tuesday, May 26, 2020 (unless the conference is postponed or canceled).
  • Enjoy Early bird registration rates through the start of the conference. 
  • Book your hotel room through our exclusive hotel block, now extended through May 26th, 2020.

Your health and safety are important to us, and we currently expect that NAT 2020 will occur.


March 16, 2020

New CDC guidelines suggest avoiding large gatherings, including conferences for the next 8 weeks. As NAT is over 10 weeks away, we are still hopeful to see fewer people fall ill and decrease in travel restrictions.


March 11, 2020

UCA of SME continues to closely monitor the situation around COVID-19. Plans continue to move forward for NAT 2020 and we look forward to seeing you in Nashville. As always, the health and safety of NAT attendees, exhibitors and staff is our highest priority and will guide our decision-making.

We will provide updates as circumstances change. Thank you for your patience during this uncertain time.