Code of Conduct

The health and safety of all individuals attending, exhibiting, staffing and participating in any capacity is our #1 priority. IFMA continues to monitor the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and has been adapting our protocols to align with guidelines from the federal, state and local health authorities. The most current updates can be found here:

• CDC Guidelines
• Tennessee Health Department
• Nashville Metro Public Health Department

To ensure each other’s health and safety during and after the event, please follow these guidelines:

• Follow all applicable travel restrictions and guidance.
• Masks are encouraged for those who have not been vaccinated, have a health condition which may make you more
• susceptible to illness, and in crowded indoor spaces.
• Stay home if you feel sick, or if you have been exposed to someone who is sick.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Notify IFMA staff if you are unwell or experiencing flu-like symptoms.

All attendees, exhibitors, speakers, IFMA staff, vendors and participants of any capacity will:

• Conduct themselves in a businesslike, professional manner.
• Be considerate, respectful and collaborative.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior, materials and speech.
• Alert conference organizers if you are being harassed or notice that someone else is being harassed.

IFMA expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination of any form based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability or perceived disability (physical or mental), family responsibilities, political affiliation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

• Examples of conduct prohibited by this Code of Conduct include, without limitation:
• Sexist, racist, homophobic or other discriminatory jokes, slurs, insults or comments.
• Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or disability.
• Unwelcome sexual advances, whether verbal or physical, display of sexualized images, talking, whether in person or online.
• Any boisterous, lewd, or offensive behavior or language including but not limited to using sexually explicit or offensive language, materials or conduct, or any language, behavior, or content that contains profanity, obscene gestures, or racial, religious, or ethnic slurs.
• Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against another person.
• Inappropriate photography or recording.
• Taking of photos within the event environment for use on social media, without the prior permission of the individuals or owners of the content therein.
• Failure to obey any rules or regulations of the event venue.

Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated whether by other attendees, media, speakers, volunteers, organizers, venue staff, sponsors or exhibitors. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in unacceptable behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including expulsion from the conference without warning or refund.

Anyone who witnesses or is subjected to unacceptable behavior should notify a conference organizer at once. IFMA shall be the sole and final judge of what does or does not fall into acceptable or unacceptable behavior and/or content.

We expect all conference participants (staff, sponsors, volunteers, speakers, attendees and other guests) to abide by this code of conduct at all conference venues and conference-related social events.