General Information

Health & Safety Protocols

IBMA World of Bluegrass 2021 will return to Raleigh as an in-person experience with the following adjustments in place for the health and safety of our attendees. Click here to read our health and safety protocol update (as of August 17, 2021)

• Proof of vaccination (without exceptions) will be required for attendance at any IBMAWOB activity requiring registration and ticketing.
  • This includes the IBMA Business Conference, IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards presented by Yamaha, and the Main Stage at the Red Hat Amphitheater during IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC.
    • PLEASE NOTE: At this time, proof of vaccination is NOT required to attend the IBMA Bluegrass Live! StreetFest performances and activities, although all performers and stage crews will be required to be vaccinated. Masks are also encouraged, particularly for anyone who is not fully vaccinated.
  • Due to the nature of the pandemic and the length of our event, proof of a negative test will not be accepted at IBMA World of Bluegrass 2021.
  • Children under 12 will not be allowed to attend ticketed and registered events. Children under 12 are still welcome to attend the IBMA Bluegrass Live! StreetFest; masks are strongly recommended in large crowds.
    • IBMAWOB Youth Events will be made available virtually and announced at a later date.
• Masks will also be required to be properly worn over nose and mouth at all indoor indoor IBMAWOB activities.
  • During the IBMA Bluegrass Live! StreetFest, masks will be required indoors (e.g., bathrooms, hallways, green rooms, etc.) and strongly recommended for outdoor shows.
  • For additional information, please read the following proclamation requiring face covering for indoor events from the Mayor of the City of Raleigh.

ADDITIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES:

• Larger conference session rooms to allow social distancing for both attendees and panelists.
• Larger StreetFest footprint to reduce overcrowding in bottleneck areas.
• IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC: For both the main stage at Red Hat Amphitheater and the StreetFest, all artists, stage managers, crew and staff will be vaccinated.
• Frequent sanitation and enhanced cleaning protocols will be in place at all IBMAWOB locations.
• Hand sanitizer and free mask stations will be provided at various IBMAWOB locations.
• Anyone experiencing a fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, or other symptoms related to COVID-19 will be asked to stay home or leave the venue.
  • COVID Testing Locations – https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-my-testing-place

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE:

• We will have teams set up at event entrances to check for proof of vaccination (physical card OR photo of card). Once checked, you will receive a wristband. PLEASE KEEP THIS WRISTBAND ON YOUR WRIST FOR THE DURATION OF YOUR ATTENDANCE AT IBMAWOB.
  • This wristband will allow you to go from event to event without having to show your vaccination card.
  • If you lose or remove your wristband or if it appears to be tampered with (taped, damaged, etc.), you will have to go through the process outlined again to receive another wristband.
  • Wristbands are non-transferrable and do not replace the need to purchase a ticket to events. Attendees must have a ticket or registration badge AND wristband to enter any ticketed or registered event.
• Vaccination Checkpoints and Schedule to be announced at a later date

We continue to work closely with our partners at the Local Organizing Committee and the City of Raleigh, as well as to monitor the CDC, NCDHHS and Wake County’s recommendations and guidelines for public events and mass gatherings, and we will make any necessary adjustments as needed.

In addition to providing safe in-person IBMA World of Bluegrass experience, we will also supplement with virtual access to many of the week’s events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will tickets and hotel blocks go on sale?
A: Tickets are on sale now! Become an IBMA member to receive exclusive discounts! Information on the IBMA hotel blocks is included in your ticket/registration confirmation email. You can purchase tickets online here or by phone at 1-800-514-3849.

Q: I don’t plan to attend in person this year. Will virtual content be available?
A: Yes! Thanks to the rousing success of last year’s IBMA Virtual World of Bluegrass, we are excited to expand accessibility to our events by making OVER 50 HOURS of content available online through Swapcard, our virtual event platform. LEARN MORE

Q: Are you accepting volunteers this year?
A: Yes! Click here to apply!

Q: What is the refund policy for IBMA World of Bluegrass tickets?
A: No refunds or exchanges are available for the IBMA Bluegrass Live! festival, IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, IBMA Business Conference, or IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. Lineup subject to change. Due to the change in the health and safety protocols, the following refund options are available for any ticket/registration purchased on or before August 17, 2021: (1) Ticket holder may deem purchase a donation to support the IBMA, in which no action on the part of the ticket holder is required. (2) Ticket holder may choose to apply 2021 tickets to the 2022 events. Procedure for doing so will be specified and shared with ticket holders at the time of cancellation. (3) Ticket holder may request a full refund before August 31, 2021.

Under no circumstances is IBMA responsible for any costs incurred by you associated with attending the event, such as hotels, travel, or other expenses, whether or not you attend the event or the event is canceled for any reason.

Click here to read the entire refund policy along with the IBMA’s Terms of Use.

To initiate a refund, please email [email protected] and provide (1) the name your tickets were purchased under, (2) the tickets you are requesting a refund for, and (3) order ID received in your Etix confirmation email.

IBMA World of Bluegrass is funded in part by a grant from South Arts with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.