POLICY
The American Fence Association (“AFA”) is dedicated to a pleasant event experience for all attendees. All participants, including but not limited to AFA staff, speakers, officers, directors, committee chairs and members, other volunteers, sponsors and other attendees, are expected to adhere to this Event Code of Conduct (“Code of Conduct”). This Code of Conduct applies to all AFA events, including without limitation FENCETECH and related conferences, and all meetings of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, committees and membership as well as Chapters.
WHO MAY ATTEND?
AFA National and Chapter events are designed for fence, deck and railing industry professionals and open to registered participants only. AFA and its chapters reserve the right to determine eligibility of any participant to attend the event. AFA may, in its sole discretion, determine that certain participants are ineligible to attend due to a potential conflict of interest and/or the questionable nature of their products and/or services.
REGISTRATION
Events are open to registered participants only. Name badges are required for entrance to all functions of FENCETECH and AFA University.
CAMERAS & CELL PHONES
Cell phone, still or video photography at all events is strictly PROHIBITED unless otherwise approved or authorized in writing by AFA staff or leadership. This action will result in immediate expulsion from the event. No cell phones may be used during seminars or speaking portions of the events. All participants will be asked to turn them off as a courtesy to our speakers and others attending.
DRESS CODE
Casual attire is acceptable at any AFA National or Chapter event unless otherwise noted.
SMOKING
Smoking is not allowed in event locations unless otherwise noted.
PROFESSIONALISM
AFA sets the bar of professionalism in the fence, deck and railing industry, as set forth in AFA’s Business and Ethical Practices. All participants will be held to this professional standard. Participants will not be allowed to promote other competing organizations or use the AFA sponsored event as an opportunity to disparage or otherwise damage the reputation and integrity of AFA, its leadership, its members and the products/services they make, sell and install.
MEETINGS, EXHIBITS & SOLICITATION
Only registered exhibitors for any AFA National or Chapter event may promote their product or services. NON-exhibiting companies are PROHIBITED from distributing sales & marketing materials and/or attempting to sell products/services not being exhibited inside the event. This action will result in immediate expulsion from the event. All materials will be confiscated and destroyed.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE
Despite the fact that marijuana use is now legal under the law of numerous states, AFA will not knowingly allow the possession, distribution or use of controlled substances at association events, even if the use of such substance(s) is legal under state law.
At many association events both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are served. AFA expects participants at its events to drink responsibly. The association reserves the right to deny service to participants for any reason, and may require a participant to leave the event.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
AFA has zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment, by participants at AFA events. This includes:
– Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any form.
– Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, AFA staff member, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, hosting event staff, or other meeting guest.
– Unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to, comments (including jokes) related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion or national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or deliberate intimidation, unwanted photography/recording, threatening, or stalking of any attendee, AFA staff member, speaker, volunteer, sponsor, hosting event staff or other meeting guest.
ENFORCEMENT AND REPORTING
1. Participants who are asked to cease any behavior(s) contrary to this Code of Conduct are expected to comply immediately.
2. AFA reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary, including immediate removal from the event without warning or refund, in response to any incident of behavior deemed inappropriate under this Code of Conduct; the AFA reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting by any individual found to have acted in violation of this Code of Conduct.
3. Persons experiencing harassment or hearing of any incidents of unacceptable behavior in violation of this Code of Conduct are asked to contact an AFA staff member and ask for either the association's Executive Director, or the most senior staff person, so that appropriate action can be taken. If neither is available, the AFA's Board President should be contacted.
4. AFA has no power whatever to prevent any person accused of unlawful or improper behavior who believes such action has caused him or her legal harm from instituting legal action against the person he or she believes has caused the harm.
