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Code of Conduct

BioBuzz Community Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct applies to all individuals participating in, affiliated with, or attending BioBuzz programs, events, and activities, including attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, Ambassadors, contractors, and staff. This includes both in-person and virtual settings.

Participation in any BioBuzz program or event constitutes acceptance of this Code. BioBuzz reserves the right to deny, suspend, or revoke participation for any individual at any time, with or without cause, at its sole discretion.

BioBuzz reserves the right to amend this Code of Conduct at any time. The most current version governs all participation.

This Code of Conduct governs conduct and participation. It should be read alongside BioBuzz’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions, which govern data, intellectual property, and platform use.

Community Standards

BioBuzz is a professional community organization. The following standards reflect the values and expectations we hold for everyone who engages with our programs, events, and platforms — regardless of role or affiliation.

Conduct & Respect

All individuals are expected to:

  • Engage respectfully and professionally with all participants, staff, volunteers, and Ambassadors
  • Foster a welcoming, inclusive environment regardless of background, identity, or affiliation
  • Maintain a career-focused, educational, and community-driven tone consistent with BioBuzz’s mission
  • Respect the personal space and boundaries of others at all times
  • Comply with all applicable local laws, safety procedures, and venue policies while participating in BioBuzz events and activities

BioBuzz is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone — including its staff, volunteers, and Ambassadors. Rude, hostile, threatening, or disrespectful conduct directed toward any individual, including BioBuzz representatives, will not be tolerated.

Appearance & Attire

All individuals are expected to dress in a manner consistent with the professional context of the event. BioBuzz may provide specific dress guidance in advance of individual events, which supersedes general expectations. Attire should not display messaging or imagery that is offensive, discriminatory, or disruptive to the event environment.

BioBuzz reserves the right to determine whether an individual’s appearance is appropriate for the event context and to deny or remove participation accordingly.

Prohibited Conduct

All individuals may not:

  • Promote or engage in political advocacy, political campaigns, or partisan commentary
  • Promote or engage in religious advocacy or belief-based persuasion
  • Make discriminatory, harassing, or inflammatory remarks or engage in conduct that could reasonably be perceived as such, including physical conduct, deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
  • Engage in microaggressions — verbal, behavioral, or environmental slights, whether intentional or unintentional, that demean or invalidate others
  • Discuss illegal activity or share inappropriate or unsafe content
  • Share misleading, false, or unverified information as fact
  • Disrupt, dominate, or intentionally derail conversations or sessions from their stated purpose
  • Engage in theft or the inappropriate removal or possession of property
  • Create unsafe conditions for other participants, staff, or venue personnel
  • Possess or carry weapons of any kind, including firearms, on BioBuzz event premises, unless required by law enforcement or authorized security personnel
  • Violate applicable local laws or venue policies while participating in BioBuzz events or activities

Sponsors & Exhibitors

Sponsors and exhibitors are subject to the same conduct standards as all other participants. Sponsors and exhibitors may not use imagery, materials, or activities that are offensive, sexualized, partisan, or otherwise inconsistent with BioBuzz’s values. Staff representing sponsors or exhibitors at BioBuzz events are expected to adhere to this Code in full.

Alcohol & Substances

All individuals are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at events where alcohol or other substances may be present. Consumption of alcohol by individuals under the legal drinking age is strictly prohibited. Substance use must never impair an individual’s conduct or representation at BioBuzz events.

Health & Safety

BioBuzz reserves the right to remove or restrict participation of any individual who appears to pose a health or safety risk to themselves or others, or whose behavior suggests a level of distress or impairment that may compromise the safety of the event environment. This includes erratic, threatening, or disorienting behavior regardless of cause.

Photography, Recording & Intellectual Property

Individuals may not photograph, record, or capture other participants without appropriate consent. Unauthorized recording of BioBuzz sessions, presentations, or programming — including screen capture in virtual settings — is prohibited without prior BioBuzz authorization.

BioBuzz retains all rights to its content, programming, materials, and proprietary assets. Reproduction or distribution of BioBuzz content without written authorization is strictly prohibited.

By attending a BioBuzz event, individuals consent to being photographed, recorded, or filmed by BioBuzz or its authorized media personnel for use in promotional, editorial, and community content. Individuals who do not wish to be photographed or filmed should notify BioBuzz staff at the event.

Virtual Event Conduct

Participants in virtual BioBuzz events are expected to adhere to the same standards as in-person events. Additionally, participants may not:

  • Use offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive virtual backgrounds
  • Share screens or content without authorization from BioBuzz
  • Use event platforms to distribute unsolicited messages, links, or promotional content
  • Disrupt sessions through chat, audio, or video in a manner inconsistent with the event’s purpose

Reporting

Any individual who experiences or witnesses conduct that violates this Code is encouraged to report it to BioBuzz staff immediately. BioBuzz staff will be clearly identifiable at events and available at the registration or information desk. BioBuzz will take reasonable steps to address reported concerns promptly and will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith.

Liability

[Counsel review recommended] Participation in BioBuzz events and programs is voluntary. BioBuzz is not liable for incidents, injuries, losses, or damages arising from an individual’s participation in BioBuzz events or activities. Individuals participate at their own risk and are responsible for their own conduct and its consequences.

Enforcement

BioBuzz retains sole discretion to determine whether conduct violates this Code. Any individual found to be in violation may be subject to:

  • Immediate removal from a session or event
  • Removal from BioBuzz platforms
  • Prohibition from future BioBuzz programming
  • Involvement of local law enforcement where appropriate

BioBuzz reserves the right to remove any individual whose conduct is deemed disruptive, disrespectful, or hostile toward any participant, volunteer, Ambassador, or staff member, regardless of whether that individual is a registered participant, attendee, or guest.

Ambassador & Volunteer Standards

The following standards apply specifically to BioBuzz Ambassadors and volunteers and are in addition to the Community Standards above. Compliance is a condition of holding Ambassador or volunteer status.

Ambassadors and volunteers serve as representatives of BioBuzz and are held to a higher standard of conduct, professionalism, and discretion across all BioBuzz-related activities. In addition to the Community Standards, Ambassadors and volunteers must:

  • Never use BioBuzz events or platforms to sell, solicit, recruit, or promote personal or third-party products or services without prior BioBuzz authorization
  • Maintain confidentiality regarding participant information, internal BioBuzz operations, and sensitive community matters
  • Collect, store, or use attendee information only as authorized by BioBuzz
  • Refrain from contacting attendees or community members outside of official BioBuzz programming without prior authorization
  • Ensure attire reflects BioBuzz’s brand and professional standards and does not display logos, messaging, or imagery that is partisan, promotional, commercial, or offensive
  • Disclose any potential conflicts of interest to BioBuzz in advance, including financial, professional, or personal interests related to session topics, speakers, or guests
  • Exercise good judgment on social media when posting content related to BioBuzz events or activities, ensuring public communications reflect BioBuzz’s values and professional standards

Consequences

In addition to the enforcement measures outlined in the Community Standards, Ambassadors and volunteers found to be in violation of this Code may be subject to suspension or permanent termination of Ambassador or volunteer status and removal from BioBuzz platforms and future programming. BioBuzz retains sole discretion to determine whether conduct warrants any of the above actions.