CodeStock is dedicated to providing an outstanding conference experience for everyone.

We value the participation of each member of the community. We want you to increase learning opportunities, to fill your day with meaningful conversations, to have an enjoyable experience, and to get to know your peers. We want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that CodeStock was founded on the passionate but respectful dialog between those in attendance. We expect all attendees, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers at our conference to show respect and courtesy to others.

To understand what we expect, we have outlined the following Code of Conduct. Organizers will enforce this (legally non-binding) code throughout the event.

The Quick Version

We prohibit solicitation for organizations, events, meetups, or non-sponsoring companies during the conference, or a sponsored after-hours gathering, by a non-sponsoring party.

CodeStock is also dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Language or imagery that is sexual in nature or has sexual overtones or innuendos is not appropriate in conference talks, workshops, parties, Twitter, and other online media.

Anyone found violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference and associated events without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.

The Less Quick Version

Solicitation for organizations, events, meetups, or non-sponsoring companies during the conference is prohibited. Our sponsors pay for exclusive access to attendees, and it is our responsibility to protect that access during our annual event. Any solicitation during the conference, or a sponsored after-hours gathering, by a non-sponsoring party is strictly prohibited and will result in the immediate removal of the offending party.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, technology choices, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Exhibitors in the hall, sponsor, or vendor booths or similar activities are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, exhibitors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material. Exhibitors (including volunteers) should not wear unprofessional attire.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund.

Attendees must remember that CodeStock staff members and volunteers are not trained conflict resolution specialists, nor are they security or law enforcement. CodeStock staff and volunteers will immediately escalate issues around safety, violence, or similar situations to the Knoxville Police Department.

For the protection of both attendees and our organization, CodeStock will never put its staff or volunteers in the position of trying to assess whether or not an incident merits reporting. If there is any doubt, we will report incidents to the Knoxville Police Department immediately.

If There Is A Problem

Attendees should follow the golden rule: “One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.” Show respect and courtesy to others.
The individual concerned should resolve simple disagreements.
Escalate harassment or more severe issues to a CodeStock staff or volunteer. That staff or volunteer will immediately contact a CodeStock Board member who has the responsibility to assist in resolution.
Attendees suffering outright assault or extreme harassment should contact the convention center staff immediately, or a CodeStock staff or volunteer if they are nearby. CodeStock staff will escalate to the convention center staff or law enforcement as appropriate.

We expect participants to follow these rules at conference and workshop venues and conference-related social events.