IBC will not tolerate harassment of event attendees in any form. All attendees are expected to comply with our guidelines to promote a respectful and positive environment and experience for the duration of the event, including social events and online.
If you experience or notice a violation of this Code of Conduct at IBC, please contact IBC immediately. Reporting of complaints can be emailed to codeofconduct@ibc.org or made in person via the IBC Support Desk, outside the Holland Lounge (above Entrance C).
At IBC, we treat people with respect, and we expect everyone to follow our Code of Conduct. It applies to everyone, whether you are attending, speaking, exhibiting, sponsoring or working with or for us or other stakeholders.
IBC provides all our attendees with a professional, safe, positive and harassment free environment and experience at our show, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, disability, age, religious beliefs or race. IBC is not a place for inappropriate, disruptive, or abusive behaviour, either in person or online.
Safety, respect and consideration are integral to this. Whilst issues are rare, we want to be clear about the standards and expectations in place at our events, wherever they are held, because actions can impact others and everyone has a role to play in getting it right.
IBC strives to create an environment free from harassment and discrimination and we will not tolerate any violation of our Code of Conduct.
We are committed to creating a safe space for anyone to report any concerns or potential violations of our code.
If for any reason IBC deems that any attendee has failed to meet the standards set by the Code of Conduct at the show or online, IBC reserves to the right to take appropriate actions including revoking an individual’s or group’s passes without refund and/or being removed from the premises.
To be clear, anyone not following our rules or behaving in an unacceptable manner will be asked – and expected – to stop doing so immediately and may be removed from the event.
Examples of Unacceptable Behaviour
- Acting in a way that puts your own or other participants’ health, safety, comfort or security at risk.
- Attending the show If you have a fever or other symptoms that may put others at risk of becoming ill.
- Ignoring health, safety and security processes including emergency procedures and access protocols.
- Using offensive or derogatory language towards any attendee or member of staff at the venue.
- Making anyone feel unsafe or unwelcome at IBC.
A Respectful Environment
We have zero tolerance towards any verbal or physical threats, violence, abuse or harassment at any live, on-demand or official auxiliary events or on our digital platforms and community sites. For the avoidance of doubt this includes:
- Discrimination on the basis of any protected category. This criteria includes but isn’t limited to race, sex, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, disability and mental status
- Offensive language and gestures, whether it is verbal harassment or abuse, sexually explicit language or gestures, profanity, obscenity or racial, religious or ethnic slurs.
- Any inappropriate or offensive materials, and any content that is intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory or demeaning including the inappropriate use of nudity or sexual images in public spaces.
- Sexual harassment, including inappropriate physical contact and unwelcome sexual attention whether verbal, physical or otherwise, in person or online.
- Stalking or behaviour that causes apprehension to others including following, photography and recording.
- Threats, intimidating and threatening behaviours, whether verbal, physical or written, including menacing gestures, physical harassment, threats and acts of violence, including pushing, shoving and the use of any physical force.
- Possession or display of any weapon or other item used to threaten or intimidate.
- Deliberately damaging the venue or other people’s property. Assembling for the purpose of disturbing the peace or committing an offence.
Acting Sustainably
- Review and follow any local guidance on sustainable travel and using reusable drinking or food containers.
- Make use of any recycling and sustainable waste disposal points provided.
Responsible Consumption
- Anyone found to be under the influence of any substance, whether legal or otherwise, and acting in a way that negatively impacts others will be removed from the event.
- If you are handling or demonstrating machinery or equipment that might impact the health or safety of others, you must not consume any substance, legal or otherwise, that might impair your behaviour or judgement or impact the correct and safe performance of that activity.
- Follow the rules of the venue and event organiser around consuming alcohol, smoking, vaping and using tobacco products. Only consume these products where and when permitted.
Event Attire
- Dress appropriately for a live event and in cases where you will be visible to others at an online event.
- Avoid clothing that could offend other participants or any culture, including images, patterns or slogans.
Reporting and Supporting
- IBC will not tolerate harassment of event attendees in any form. All attendees are expected to comply with our guidelines to promote a respectful and positive environment and experience for the duration of the event, including social events and online.
- If you experience or notice a violation of this Code of Conduct at IBC, please contact IBC immediately. Reporting of complaints can be emailed to codeofconduct@ibc.org or made in person via the IBC Support Desk, outside the Holland Lounge (above Entrance C).
- Our event staff are trained in proper procedures for handling reports of discrimination or harassment ensuring victims and witnesses feel supported throughout the process.
- Our event staff are visible and available during IBC organised networking events ensuring a safe and secure environment for all participants.
Marketing and Messaging
- It is mandatory to acknowledge and sign up to IBC’s Code of Conduct during the registration process for any IBC event.
- We make our Code of Conduct policy clear in event communications leading up to and during the event.
- We display signage throughout the venue providing attendees with guidance and ways of reporting any issues.
- Information will be available on IBC websites and mobile show app.
- All information with regards the Code of Conduct will be emailed in advance to primary co-ordinators.
Making a Report - reports should be made via email at codeofconduct@ibc.org
- Your email will be received by a trained IBC representative and will be kept in confidence.
- The representative may ask you for details of the incident. Depending on the incident you may choose to also report it to the local police in which case you will be provided with guidance on how to do this.
- The representative will follow the internal escalation plan and will notify the IBC Executive.
- The IBC Executive will review the matter and may reach out for more information.
- The IBC Executive will take the appropriate action.
- An IBC representative will follow up with you to share the resolution.
