Agriconnect informs, connects, and inspires the agriculture community. As a group that is community orientated, we actively seek to create an environment where everyone is welcome and can feel a sense of belonging.
The following code of conduct reflects our commitment to create respectful, inclusive, and safe environments, both offline and online. Everyone who participates in an Agriconnect event must comply with this code of conduct, including but not limited to, attendees, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, employees, media, and volunteers.
We do not tolerate harassment or bullying in any form. We expect all participants at our events will be respectful and professional in all interactions.
We take a zero-tolerance approach to any demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour or speech, in any form, including but not limited to, as it relates to ethnic and national origin, gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religious beliefs. Further, sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for any venue, including talks, workshops, seminars and online media.
Organisers will take appropriate action regarding any participant found to violate this code, up to and including warning the offender, expulsion from the event without refund, and/or a ban from future events.
Stand design and themes:
We encourage interactive, thought provoking, educational, and inspirational stands at all our shows and events, and you will gain from additional marketing and PR as a result. Your stand should project who you are as a business and share your brand values with a wide and varied audience coming to the show.
Consider how you would like your product or brand represented. This event attracts people looking to engage with you, either as an existing customer or potential customer. You will see students and educators (although a much smaller proportion), so it is important your stand can cater for all of them.
Participating at an event
We have zero tolerance for actions or behaviour that impact an event participants’ safety and wellbeing, including, but not limited to:
- Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, ethnic and national origin, race, religion
- Sexual images or displays in public spaces
- Deliberate intimidation
- Stalking, following, and harassing photography or recording
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Inappropriate physical contact
- Lewd and unwelcome sexual attention
- Facilitating or participating in any violence or criminal behaviour
- Promoting or publicising any criminal or violent activity
- Engaging in behaviour or actions that are considered threatening
- Participants asked to stop any of these behaviour must comply immediately.
Exhibiting and Sponsoring
In addition to the above, exhibitors and sponsors must also ensure their materials, content, employees, and any of their event staff act in a professional and responsible manner. In particular, sexualised images, activities, or other material will not be permitted. Event staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualised clothing/ uniforms/ costumes or otherwise create a sexualised environment.
Reporting an incident
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns as they relate to this code of conduct, please contact a member of the staff immediately. If onsite, any member of the organising staff will be happy to help. You are also welcomed to report the incident via email to info@agriconnect.com.
Event staff can help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. No retaliation will be taken or tolerated against anyone who makes a good faith report of bullying, discrimination, or harassment.
When reporting an incident, please share any details you can recall, such as names, dates, times, location, behaviour, any statements made, to help with investigating the incident.
Every incident reported will be taken seriously and will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
Staffing your stand
Your stand staff represents your company, and therefore they should appear professional, friendly and welcoming at all times. The following rules must be adhered to:
- Clothing must be deemed appropriate for a business event. If the organiser deems the clothing to be unsuitable the organiser reserves the right to prevent admittance of the staff into the event.
- Any activity promotional staff are asked to undertake, other than on stand lead generation and handing our literature, must be agreed with the organiser before the event.
- Consider the mix of staff you have on the stand (gender, age, ethnicity etc), do they represent the diversity of your company, and if not, be prepared to explain why not.
- Consider whether you have asked staff to do something that could be deemed to objectify them as men or women as this is strictly forbidden and could result in closure of your stand.
- If, for any reason, stand staff and/or an exhibit and/or its contents are deemed inappropriate by Agriconnect show management, the exhibitor will be asked to alter this in an appropriate manner.
- The decision of Agriconnect show management in each of the above respects will be final.
