BIABC is committed to providing a safe, productive and welcoming environment for all event participants, staff and stakeholders. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff and contractors, service providers and all others are expected to abide by this Event Agreement and Code of Conduct.

If you are registering on behalf of another individual, it is your responsibility to ensure the person participating is aware of these terms and accepts them. By completing registration on behalf of another individual you are warranting that you have made the Participant aware of these terms and that they have accepted them.

This BIABC Event Code of Conduct sets forth our expectations for all attendees and participants -- including members, speakers, vendors, media representatives, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, contractors and staff (all “participants”) – at BIABC virtual or face-to-face events.

Expected Behavior

Participants should communicate professionally and constructively, whether in person or virtually, and everyone is expected to:

• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
• Passionate conversations are part of who we are and part of solving problems. That being said, dissent or disagreement should be handled with courtesy, dignity and an open mind, being respectful when providing feedback and staying open to alternative points of view.
• Remember that the boundaries of good taste, humor, personal space and physical interaction differ from person to person; if you sense someone feels uncomfortable -- whether they explicitly state it or not -- be respectful of those boundaries.

Unacceptable Behavior

Participants should refrain from bullying, demeaning, discriminatory, harassing or other inappropriate behavior. Examples of harassing and inappropriate behavior may include, but are not limited to:

• Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise discriminatory jokes or language.
• Physical intimidation, stalking or following.
• Verbal abuse.
• Sustained disruption of talks or events or otherwise failing to obey any rules or policies of the venue or of BIABC.
• Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material.
• Unwelcome sexual attention. This includes sexualized comments or jokes; inappropriate touching, groping and unwelcomed sexual advances.
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. Engaging in any of these unacceptable behaviors will result in a warning and, depending on the severity, expulsion from the event with no refund. The BIABC Administrator, Conference Coordinator, President or event security has the authority to take any action they deem necessary and appropriate.

Safe Disclosure

If you experience harassment, hear of, or witness any incidents of unacceptable behaviour BIABC asks that you:

• Contact either Lori Baxter (BIABC Administrator) or Andrea Tubbs (BIABC Conference Coordinator). Contact may be in person at the registration desk, or more discretely by texting Lori (778-840-5182) or Andrea (250-688-0189).
• A safe and secure space will be found for you to report the incident confidentially, and without fear of retaliation.
• An investigation will occur immediately and everything possible will be done to ensure no future incidents.