Code of Conduct

NIC Events Code of Conduct 

Events produced by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, Inc. (“NIC”) provide sector stakeholders and others with high-quality programming and opportunities to convene, network, learn, and advance and implement innovation to enable access and choice for America’s seniors. NIC strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and productive environment for all NIC event participants and NIC staff. To that end, this NIC Events Code of Conduct (“Code of Conduct”) applies to all NIC events (including, but not limited to, conferences, receptions, meetings, bootcamps, leadership huddles, NIC Academy courses, and virtual webinars), as well as other events, social gatherings, and contacts that occur in conjunction with NIC events (all of which, for purposes of brevity, are collectively referred to as “NIC events” or “events”). As a condition to attendance and participation, we expect all participants in NIC events (including, but not limited to, registrants, attendees, speakers, volunteers, industry partners, sponsors, exhibitors, NIC staff members, and service providers – all collectively and individually referenced below as “participants”) to abide by this Code of Conduct. 

Expected Conduct 

All event participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration, follow venue rules as applicable, and to alert NIC staff to any violations of this Code of Conduct, potentially inappropriate or dangerous situations, and/or any participant in distress or need of assistance. In addition, all event participants are expected to do the following: 

• Comport themselves with professional decorum.  
• Exercise consideration and respect in speech and actions. 
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior and speech. 
• Be mindful that every participant is entitled to respectful treatment, regardless of the capacity in which they are attending or participating. 

Unacceptable Conduct  

Unacceptable conduct at NIC events includes the following: 

• Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning actions by any participant. Such actions include, without limitation, offensive or hurtful verbal comments or speech related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, or other personal characteristic or identification; use of nudity and/or sexual images; yelling at or threatening others; stalking or unwelcome following; harassing photography or recording; and unwelcome physical or verbal contact, and/or unwelcome sexual attention. 
• Verbal or physical abuse, intimidation, or conduct with the intent or effect of reasonably annoying, scaring, or offending others, or which creates a disturbance that is disruptive or dangerous or creates reasonable apprehension in a person. 
• Conduct which disrupts an event, meeting, gathering, or program. 
• Any real or implied threat of physical harm. 
• Any real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm. 
• Using social media or other electronic means to defame, harass, stalk, or make unwelcome advances to event participants. 
• Any other conduct that NIC determines, in its discretion, is inappropriate in connection with a NIC event. 

Additional Rules 

In addition, event participants must adhere to the following rules: 

• The recording or sharing of any meeting or related event (including education sessions, presentations, demos, etc.) in any format is strictly prohibited. 
• By attending a NIC event, participants release their image, likeness, and voice for NIC’s use for marketing and promotional purposes. 

Reporting 

If someone witnesses or experiences conduct that violates this Code of Conduct, they should promptly report such conduct to the following persons:  

• Badged NIC event staff or event security 
• Amy Peters, Vice President Conference, Meetings & Events, (443) 837-2417 or apeters@nic.org  

Participants agree to cooperate fully with any inquiry by NIC relevant to the verification of the facts and circumstances underlying any report.  

Consequences of Code of Conduct Violation 

NIC reserves the right to take any action deemed by NIC to be necessary and appropriate in response to a violation of this Code of Conduct reported to NIC, including without limitation, the following: 

• Issuance of verbal or written warnings. 
• Immediate revocation of a participant’s access to an event or events, without warning or refund. 
• Banning a person from certain or all future NIC events. 
• Reporting any illegal or allegedly illegal activity to local authorities. 
• Seeking injunctive relief and/or monetary damages. 

DISCLAIMER, RELEASE, AND INDEMNIFICATION 

Disclaimer 

You acknowledge that it is the individual responsibility of every event participant to comply with this code of conduct. While NIC will not tolerate violations of this code of conduct, you acknowledge and agree that it is not NIC’s obligation nor responsibility to prevent such violations, and no assurance is made that such violations will not occur. The opinions, statements, presentations, data, images, videos, documents, and other information expressed or otherwise shared by event participants are not those of NIC, unless NIC expressly indicated otherwise. 

Release 

You agree to expressly release NIC and its directors, officers, employees, partners, sponsors, and agents (collectively and individually the “NIC parties”) from any and all liability in connection with NIC events. Nic shall not be responsible for any actions or omissions of event participants, including, without limitation, any violation of this code of conduct. By registering for participation in a NIC event, you agree to assume all risks of participation, including, without limitation, the risk of injury, death, property damage, and violation of this code of conduct by another event participant even if caused by the negligence of the NIC parties. 

Indemnity 

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold the NIC parties harmless from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, or demand, including actual attorney’s fees and costs, incurred by the NIC parties arising out of your violation of this code of conduct in any respect, your  participation in NIC events, and/or your violation of any rights of another event participant. 

By registering for a NIC event, I agree to comply with this code of conduct in all respects, including the terms, conditions, and agreements set forth herein.