Code of Conduct

MarketingProfs is dedicated to a simple idea: #nomarketerleftbehind. If you want to learn about B2B marketing and what’s working today, we are your go-to resource. No matter your level or industry, you are welcome at our events. To ensure everyone feels safe, respected, and included, we have this common-sense Code of Conduct.

MarketingProfs is committed to supporting a productive and safe environment for everyone at a meeting or event. MarketingProfs expects participants at the MarketingProfs B2B Forum, and its other meetings and events, to follow this Code of Conduct.

This Code applies whether your participation is in-person, virtual (by computer), or a combination of both. It also applies to activity on MarketingProfs’ other online activities and social media networks.

Who is Bound by this Code?

This policy applies to all MarketingProfs-sponsored and affiliated events, and the policies herein apply to all MarketingProfs officers, directors, attendees, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, participants, employees, contractors, volunteers, and guests at the meeting and related events.

As a participant in a MarketingProfs event—whether in-person or virtually—you agree to adhere to this Code of Conduct.

General Policy

It is the policy of MarketingProfs that all participants in MarketingProfs meetings and events will conduct themselves in a professional manner that is welcoming to all participants, and free from any unacceptable behavior. Demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior, materials, or speech will not be tolerated.

Participants will treat each other with respect and consideration. MarketingProfs’ intention is to create a collegial, respectful, inclusive, and professional environment at all events, both in person and virtually. Creating a supportive environment to enable productive participation by everyone attending is the shared responsibility of all participants.

Unacceptable Behavior at MarketingProfs meetings and events includes the following:

• Inappropriate actions, statements, or discrimination, whether in-person, online, or in written materials.
• Prohibited conduct includes discrimination based on race, age, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality, political affiliation, political beliefs, ability status, educational background, or any other protected class, as determined by U.S. law, or the law of the location where the participant or meeting is located.
• Disruptive behavior of any kind.
• Harassment of other participants.
• Bullying, including cyber-bullying.
• Derogatory or offensive comments, epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping.
• Threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts.
• Unwelcome attention.
• Statements of a sexual nature.
• Denigrating statements.
• Off-color jokes.
• Use of any physical force against a person, including but not limited to pushing or shoving.
• Written, electronic, or graphic material that shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group, whether placed at the site of any MarketingProfs meeting or activity, or circulated by email or on the Internet.
• Possession of any item that can be used as a weapon, except as expressly authorized by law and/or MarketingProfs.
• Smoking or vaping, other than in designated areas.
• Where the event venue is shared with other groups or members of the public, committing unacceptable behavior against any member of another group or the public.
• Failing to obey any rules or regulations of the venue.
• Violating any other health and safety regulations, or terms and conditions, in place for the event.
• Soliciting. We encourage attendees to learn and connect; however, any attendee who is observed to be soliciting business in the sponsor hall, public event spaces, in another company’s booth, or in violation of any portion of MarketingProfs B2B Forum’s rules will be asked to leave immediately. This also applies to attendees soliciting other attendees online via email, the event app, etc. Additional penalties may be applied. Please report any violations you may observe to show management.

This Code of Conduct is not intended to be a complete list of all rules and regulations applicable to a MarketingProfs meeting or event. MarketingProfs reserves the right to remove, or deny attendance to, any person who either: (i) violates, or is likely to violate, this Code of Conduct, or general health, safety, and well-being of other persons; or (ii) is disruptive and/or interferes, or is likely to disrupt or interfere, with the safe conduct of the meeting or event; or (iii) commits any act, makes any statement, or engages in any behavior that causes an event participant to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.

All decisions as to violations of this Code of Conduct and unacceptable behavior shall be made in MarketingProfs’ sole and absolute discretion, and shall be final.

Online & Virtual Activity Included

Participants are expected to avoid the actions listed above and any other improper conduct, during online networking, text chats, virtual question and answer sessions during a MarketingProfs webcast, or elsewhere on a MarketingProfs website. In addition, the following are additional examples of conduct that is prohibited with respect to online participation in a MarketingProfs event:

• Selling, trading, transferring, or sharing an access link and/or code for the online event, unless such transfer is expressly permitted by MarketingProfs.
• Permitting persons other than registered attendees to participate in or view the event.
• Engaging in behavior that creates a disruption or hinders the virtual event, or the enjoyment of the virtual event content by other participants.
• Recording or broadcasting audio or video of the online event, without the express permission of MarketingProfs.
• If a participant’s image will be shown during an event, using a background containing a picture, photo, or other image that is owned by another person or entity, without the express permission of that person or entity.

Other Terms & Conditions Apply

This Code of Conduct includes the MarketingProfs Health and Safety Terms & Conditions, and any other terms and conditions published prior to or at the time of the event. A violation of the conduct expected of attendees and described in those terms and conditions shall be a violation of this Code of Conduct.

Reporting Unacceptable Behavior

Persons experiencing unacceptable behavior, or witnessing others being subjected to unacceptable behavior, are encouraged to report it by one of the methods listed below and providing as many details as possible.

• Emergency Situation:
  • Remove yourself from the offender’s presence, if possible.
  • At an in-person meeting/event, contact venue security or dial “9-1-1.”
  • When you feel safe, contact the MarketingProfs on-site manager or any member of the MarketingProfs event staff.
  • For virtual programs, go offline from the program and contact MarketingProfs’ program manager by email at events@marketingprofs.com

• Non-Emergency Situation:
  • For in-person meetings and events, contact the MarketingProfs on-site manager or any member of MarketingProfs event staff.
  • For virtual programs, contact MarketingProfs’ program manager by email at events@marketingprofs.com

To the extent possible, MarketingProfs will endeavor to keep the reporting concerns confidential; however, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Reports may be made anonymously, although MarketingProfs can investigate and handle a complaint more effectively if the identities of the persons involved are known.

Follow-Up & Investigation

MarketingProfs’ office will receive complaints, initiate an investigation, and take appropriate action. During an in-person meeting or event that responsibility may be handled by an on-site representative.

Upon receiving a report of unacceptable behavior, MarketingProfs’ first priority will be the safety and security of participants. During an event, event staff will be available to help an affected participant as appropriate, including to contact venue security or local law enforcement, to provide escorts, or to otherwise assist the affected participant to feel safe for the duration of the event.

In most situations, the person investigating on MarketingProfs’ behalf will discuss the complaint details first with the individual filing the report, and may also contact the alleged offender. Findings will be reported to the MarketingProfs executive in charge.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Sanctions for violating this Code of Conduct may include any or all of the following:

• A verbal or written warning
• Being denied access to the remainder of a meeting/event
• Barring the offender from future meetings/events
• Blocking the offender from online platforms
• Notifying law enforcement if it appears that laws were broken

All determinations of appropriate or inappropriate behavior are in MarketingProfs’ sole discretion, and the decisions of MarketingProfs’ personnel will be final.

Retaliation Prohibited

Retaliation against a person reporting harassment is also a violation of this Code of Conduct, and will not be tolerated. It is also against MarketingProfs policy to report an incident in bad faith. MarketingProfs will take action against any person found to be committing a willful violation.