NATA Event Code of Conduct
(Attendees, Exhibitors, Speakers, Sponsors, Volunteers and Guests)
Purpose
NATA is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, inclusive and professional environment at all NATA meetings, conferences, educational programs and related activities. This Code of Conduct applies to all participants, including attendees, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, staff, contractors and guests, across in‑person, virtual and hybrid environments.
This Code applies to all spaces connected to a NATA event, including but not limited to event venues, hotels, official and unofficial networking events, social gatherings, satellite or affiliated activities, online platforms, mobile applications, chat tools and social media interactions related to a NATA event.
Participation in any NATA event constitutes agreement to comply with this Code of Conduct.
NATA retains sole discretion to interpret and enforce this Code of Conduct. Decisions regarding enforcement, corrective action and participant removal are final.
Standards of Professional Conduct
All participants are expected to:
- Conduct themselves in a professional, respectful and courteous manner at all times.
- Treat NATA staff, volunteers, fellow attendees, speakers, exhibitors, hotel and venue staff, service workers and vendors with dignity and respect.
- Comply with all applicable laws, venue rules, hotel policies and NATA policies.
- Follow instructions from NATA staff, security personnel and venue staff promptly and cooperatively.
- Engage in discussions and debates in a civil and constructive manner, free from personal attacks, intimidation or disruptive behavior.
- Respect personal boundaries, obtain consent before physical contact, photography or recording of individuals and honor requests to stop immediately.
Prohibited Conduct
NATA does not tolerate behavior that disrupts the event environment or compromises the safety, dignity or well‑being of others. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:
- Harassment, discrimination or bullying of any kind, whether verbal, physical, visual or electronic.
- Intimidation, threats, aggressive behavior or physical altercations.
- Abusive, demeaning or disrespectful language or actions directed toward NATA staff, volunteers, venue or hotel staff, exhibitors, speakers or other participants.
- Unwelcome jokes, comments, gestures or conduct related to personal characteristics.
- Repeated or unwanted contact after a request to stop.
- Misuse of position, status or authority to pressure staff, volunteers or other participants.
- Disruption of sessions, meetings, exhibits or official event activities.
- Online harassment or inappropriate conduct via event apps, chat platforms or social media related to the event.
- Unauthorized recording, photographing, livestreaming or distribution of event content or participant images in violation of NATA policies or speaker permissions.
- Harassing or intrusive photography or recording of individuals.
- Retaliation against any individual who reports a concern or participates in an investigation in good faith.
Conduct that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive may violate this Code, even if not explicitly listed above.
Alcohol and Drug Policy
To maintain a safe and professional environment:
- Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited at all NATA events, including official functions, satellite events, social gatherings and within event venues and hotels.
- Misuse or abuse of legal substances, including alcohol or prescription medications, that results in unsafe, disruptive or unprofessional behavior is prohibited.
- The consumption of alcohol does not excuse conduct that violates this Code.
- Individuals who appear impaired, engage in unsafe conduct or violate venue or local laws related to drugs or alcohol may be subject to immediate corrective action, including removal from the event.
Reporting Concerns
Participants who witness, experience or become aware of conduct that may violate this Code of Conduct are encouraged to report concerns promptly so appropriate action can be taken.
Concerns may be reported to:
- NATA staff at the event
- Designated event safety personnel
- Event security or venue management, as appropriate
- The NATA Executive Director or designee (contact information to be provided)
- Email safety@nata.org
If there is an immediate threat to personal safety, participants should contact venue security or local emergency services (911) before notifying NATA.
Concerns may also be reported after the event using NATA’s designated reporting channels, which will be communicated via the event website or mobile app.
Reports should be made in good faith. Knowingly false or malicious reports may themselves violate this Code of Conduct. Reports will be handled as discreetly as possible, consistent with the need to review the matter and take appropriate action.
Anti‑Retaliation Policy
Retaliation against any individual who, in good faith, reports a concern or participates in an investigation is strictly prohibited and will be treated as a separate violation of this Code of Conduct.
Enforcement
NATA reserves the right to take immediate interim action when necessary to protect participant safety or preserve the event environment.
In determining appropriate corrective action, NATA may consider the nature and severity of the conduct, prior incidents, participant role, impact on others and applicable laws or venue policies.
Corrective actions may include, but are not limited to:
- Verbal warning
- Removal from a session or event
- Revocation of event credentials without refund
- Removal from event venues or hotels
- Referral to venue security or local law enforcement
- Suspension or termination of NATA membership eligibility or future event participation
All participants are expected to cooperate in good faith with any review or investigation. Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action regardless of an individual’s role or status.
Non-Discrimination
NATA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or age. NATA is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in all aspects of its continuing education activities. Participants who have special needs are encouraged to contact program organizers so that all reasonable efforts to accommodate these needs can be made.
Disclaimer
It is the responsibility of athletic trainers to assure any techniques they perform are within the scope of their state practice acts. All materials presented in our educational programs are made available for educational purposes only. These materials are not intended to represent the only, or necessarily the best, methods or procedures appropriate for each situation discussed, but is intended to present an approach, view, statement or opinion of the authors or presenters that may be helpful or of interest to other practitioners.
Intellectual Property and Use of Materials
Attendance at an NATA event does not grant permission to record, reproduce, distribute, or publish presenter materials, including audio, video, slides, or other content, on social media or other platforms. All content remains the intellectual property of the creator, and prior permission is required for any use beyond personal learning.