The National Hurricane Conference (“NHC”) is committed to providing safe and welcoming environments for all who participate in its conferences and other events.  The NHC prohibits and will not tolerate any form of harassment, bullying, or discrimination. Our goal is to host conferences and other events that are as inclusive as possible for the people attending our events, regardless of gender, sexual orientation/identity, race/ethnicity, religion, employment status, or status in the field. Accordingly, we believe that it is important for NHC to support the collective benefit we can all receive from our conferences and appropriately allow for the free expression and exchange of ideas in environments that are positive and productive for all.

 

Purpose

The NHC has established this Code of Conduct for Conference Participants (the “Code”) to serve as a guideline for the professional conduct of anyone attending or participating in a NHC sponsored conference or event and to inform people appearing at such events of the consequences for unacceptable behavior. This Code is intended to supplement, but not replace, those policies that are applicable to all conference attendees that may apply through employment policies, professional certifications, or other applicable requirements. We expect everyone attending NHC events to follow this Code so that all participants can enjoy the conference or event responsibly and with respect for the rights of others. Failure to abide by this Code is subject to corrective action and sanctions, including refused admission, ejection, banishment, and other penalties consistent with this Code.

 

Scope and Applicability

The Code applies to all attendees, media representatives, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, staff, contractors, volunteers, organizers, and other guests (collectively referred to as “Participants”) at NHC programs, conferences, events, meetings, social gatherings, and other activities held, sponsored, or affiliated with NHC. Your attendance at any of these events will be deemed to be your agreement to abide by this Code.

 

Expected Behavior

The following behaviors are expected and requested of all NHC conference or event Participants:

• Behaving in a courteous and professional manner;
• Treating all participants with respect, dignity, and consideration, in the spirit of valuing a diversity of views and opinions;
• Being considerate, respectful, and collaborative in your communication and actions;
• Discussing differences and critiquing ideas in a non-confrontational manner with due regard for the viewpoints of others;
• Refraining from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech
• Reporting suspected inappropriate behaviors directed at yourself or others;
• Respecting the rules, policies, and property of the NHC and its facilities and vendors; and
• Complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

 

Prohibited Behavior

Violations of this Code include but are not limited to the following:

• Harassment – defined for purposes of this Code to include unwelcome or offensive verbal, visual, or physical contact directed at any Participant, including conduct, comments, or images that a person would reasonably find offensive, demeaning, or hostile, to include any form of electronic communication;
• Sexual harassment – defined for purposes of this Code to include unwelcome, unsolicited, and unreciprocated sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or gesture of a sexual nature that has or that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to offend, humiliate, or intimidate another person, to include any form of electronic communication;
• Exhibiting behavior that is unruly or disruptive, or that endangers the health or safety of yourself or others;
• Discriminatory conduct based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, transgender status, age, national origin, disability, religion, marital status, veteran status, political affinity, or any other characteristic protected by law;
• Deliberate intimidation, threatening, stalking, or following, to include electronic communication;
• Sustained disruption of portions of the conference or event;
• Invasion of privacy;
• Actual or threatened pushing, shoving, or use of any physical force whatsoever against any person;
• Possession or use of a weapon or any other item in a way that may cause danger to others;
• Destruction, theft, dismantlement, defacement, abuse, or intentional misuse of any NHC or contracted venues’ property, equipment, signage, or supplies;
• Failure to comply with directions of the NHC staff or venue personnel regarding operations or emergency response procedures;
• Retaliation against participants for reporting activity that he or she reasonably believed to be in violation of this Code;
• Knowingly and falsely reporting violations of this Code in bad faith; and
• Accessing restricted or ticketed areas without a proper ticket, pass and/or credential; misusing tickets, passes and/or credentials; presenting a false identification; or permitting another person to falsely present the Participant’s identification as his or her own.

This above list of examples of prohibited behavior is not intended to be all inclusive, but to provide some reference of the actions that may result in sanctions against Participants. It can be reasonably anticipated that there will be conduct and/or issues that the above list does not specifically address. In that event, as in all others, Participants are expected to follow the direction of the NHC staff who will take appropriate action to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of Participants.

 

Reporting Suspected Violations

If you believe you are being subjected to inappropriate conduct, believe someone else is being subjected to inappropriate conduct, or have any other concerns, and would like to have a confidential discussion with a knowledgeable person, you may contact Michael Vincent, Executive Director, or you may submit a concern in writing to mike@hurricanemeeting.com.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or if you see something suspicious or would like to report a security issue or emergency, please contact venue security or local law enforcement. You may also contact NHC, but for any form of emergency, please contact law enforcement or the appropriate emergency services first.

Reported violations of this Code are taken seriously and will be thoroughly addressed by the NHC with discretion. Depending on the extent of the issue, this may include contacting law enforcement, contacting a Participant’s employer, or taking other actions to fully understand the facts related to the complaint and take appropriate action.

Participants are requested to maintain the confidentiality of materials submitted to or received by you in connection with any reported violation during any effort to investigate the matter reported.

Although the NHC will make reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the reported issues and any relevant materials, it cannot assure confidentiality as it may be required to disclose materials or information in response to legal process, when already publicly known, or when leadership otherwise determines disclosure is in the best interests of the conference Participants.