Short version: do not be the reason someone leaves early.

This applies to everyone at the conference, in the virtual sessions, and in any conference channel. Speakers, attendees, sponsors, staff, organisers, no exceptions and no exemptions for being important.

What we expect

• Treat people as colleagues, including the ones you disagree with
• Assume the person you are talking to knows something you do not
• Ask before photographing someone
• Respect a no, the first time

Not tolerated

• Harassment of any kind, including comments about gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, religion or nationality
• Unwelcome sexual attention, and sexual imagery in talks or booths
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following someone
• Sustained disruption of a talk or of other people's conversations
• Photography or recording of someone after they have said no

If something happens

Find any organiser. We will be wearing conference staff badges and we are at the registration desk all day. You can also email info@austinaiconference.com.

We will listen, we will believe you, and we will not make you repeat it to a queue of people. You decide how much you want to be involved in what happens next. If you want help contacting venue security or local law enforcement, or just want someone to walk with you to your car, we will do that.

Consequences

Organisers may do anything from a quiet word to removing someone from the conference with no refund, and to declining their attendance at future events. Sponsors and speakers are held to this exactly as firmly as attendees. Paying us money does not buy latitude here.

Adapted from the Berlin Code of Conduct and the Conference Code of Conduct, both widely used in the technology industry.