SearchLove and Hero Conf’s in-person and virtual events (including joint SearchLove/Hero Conf events) are an opportunity for professional marketers to gather for two days, to learn, share and network. All conference attendees should have an enjoyable experience and show respect to their fellow attendees throughout the entire conference, and at all the surrounding networking events.
We have created this code of conduct, based on a well-respected creative commons licensed policy to make clear what is expected of everyone: attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and staff. Anyone in attendance is expected to conform to the following code of conduct and the conference organizers (Distilled) will enforce this code throughout SearchLove.
Short version:
SearchLove is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form.
All forms of communication should be appropriate for a professional audience.
Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for any conference, including talks and social channels.
Conference participants violating these rules may be asked to leave the conference at the discretion of the conference organizers.
We ask that you respect other attendees and behave professionally throughout SearchLove. Thank you for helping us to make SearchLove a great conference for all.
Longer version
SearchLove is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks and social channels. Conference participants violating these rules may be removed from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination. This includes comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion.
- Sexual images in public spaces
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
- Harassing photography or recording
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Inappropriate physical contact
- Unwelcome sexual attention
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
Exhibitors and sponsors are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, exhibitors and sponsors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material. Exhibitor staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment.
If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or removal from the conference with no refund.
Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.
We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities.
Contact Information and our process for handling harassment:
If you have an urgent matter, please contact one of the conference staff:
- Will Critchlow, SEO Partner, Brainlabs: will.critchlow@brainlabsdigital.com: +44 7977 218413 (or dm @willcritchlow on Twitter)
- Lynsey Jones, Head of Events, SearchLove: lynsey.jones@brainlabsdigital.com (or dm @lynslittle on Twitter)
- Audrey Brown, Director of Hero Conf: audrey.brown@brainlabsdigital.com
For in-person events: any Distilled staff member (wearing a black badge) can help you to locate the four staff members above. The Distilled team will be happy to assist you in a way appropriate to your situation.
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Conference and Distilled staff can be identified by our black lanyards. Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone. We want you to be happy at our event. People like you make our event a better place. You can make a report either personally or anonymously.
Anonymous Report:
You can make an anonymous report here.
We can’t follow up an anonymous report with you directly, but we will fully investigate it and take whatever action is necessary to prevent a recurrence.
Personal Report:
You can make a personal report by contacting a Distilled staff member, identified by black lanyards. If the staff member is not one of the people listed in the contact information above, they will take you to one of the key staff members immediately.
When taking a personal report, our staff will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve other event staff to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we’ll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we’ll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You won’t be asked to confront anyone and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Our team will be happy to help you contact hotel/venue security, local law enforcement, local support services, provide escorts, or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the duration of the event.
We value your attendance.
License and attribution
This Code of Conduct was adopted from the example policy from the Geek Feminism Wiki, created by the Ada Initiative and other volunteers, which is under a Creative Commons Zero license.