In-Person Conference was Cancelled, and 100% of Payments Were Returned

Passive House Northwest will be refunding 100% of conference registration fees and sponsorships. These refunds will be processed as fast as possible over the next few weeks by our all-volunteer members. 

Your patience over the past month is deeply appreciated. As previously noted, we had paid numerous, large conference expenses upfront and it was not clear whether we could get all, part, or any of those funds back. After cancelling the March 12-13 conference dates, a partial refund to registrants and sponsors appeared to be the most likely outcome.

Efforts by our team to recover upfront costs continually progressed through best possible refund scenarios of 45-50%, then 60-67%, onward to 75-80%, and now to a 100% refund. There remain a few conference expenses we cannot recover but those are now low enough to where we can absorb those and provide a full refund to each of you.

We seriously looked at options to reschedule the conference for later this year or early next year. The best science regarding the spread of the corona virus indicates that absent a vaccine coming to market in record speed in maybe 12-18 months, some levels of physical distancing measures likely will need to be in place for some time. The threat of additional waves of virus transmission and their potential to overwhelm our health care system remains high without continued social distancing. In this context, we feel it is best not to select a new date for our next conference.

Please, continue to follow the public health guidelines, recommendations, and requirements. These measures help protect everyone around you and in turn protect you.

Our efforts to provide a little of the planned content from this year’s conference continues. After our seven web presentations on March 12 and 13, a few additional video presentations were recorded in Portland prior to the Oregon stay-at-home order. Once editing is completed, we will determine best how to release and share. We are also exploring new options and methods for additional outreach and education opportunities.

Until we can confidently gather in person again, we urge you to stay connected via video on-line and over the phone. If you have not yet signed up for the Global Passive House Happy Hour at 4pm PDT every Wednesday, please do so at: www.passivehouseaccelerator.com. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Passive House friends regionally and globally, plus learn about a featured Passive House project.

This Northwest community in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, is one that we treasure. We are all connected. Together we will help re-shape the world and our built environment into the vision we all share: a global community that is just, equal, and passive.

Stay safe and be well.

Thank you!
Passive House Northwest