Search Marketing Summit has run for twenty years on one simple idea: practitioners in a room, talking straight about the work.
That only works if everyone in the room feels safe, welcome and able to speak up.
This page sets out what we expect from everyone who attends, speaks, sponsors, exhibits or works at a Search Marketing Summit event, and what we will do if someone falls short.
It applies inside the SMC Conference Centre, on the Networking Harbour Cruise, at any other event we run, and in the online spaces around the Summit: the #SMS2027 hashtag, our social accounts and any event chat we set up.
What we expect
- Be respectful in every interaction: on stage, on the floor and online.
- Disagree with ideas, not people. Robust debate is welcome. Personal attacks are not.
- Respect people's boundaries, physical and social. If someone wants to end a conversation, let them.
- Use language that brings people in rather than singling them out.
- Follow the directions of our team and SMC Conference Centre staff.
- Look out for each other. If something seems off, say something.
What we will not tolerate
Harassment of any kind. That includes, but is not limited to:
- Offensive comments or jokes about gender, sexual orientation, disability, appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion or age.
- Unwelcome sexual attention or physical contact, in person or online.
- Intimidation, stalking or following someone.
- Photographing or recording someone who has asked you not to.
- Sustained disruption of sessions or other event activities.
- Threatening, aggressive or violent language or behaviour.
Sponsors and exhibitors are welcome to talk about what they do. Chasing someone who has said no thanks is not welcome, and we treat it the same way as any other breach.
Online spaces
The same rules apply to the hashtag, our social channels and any event chat we run.
Those spaces are for conversation, not cold outreach. Please do not use an event chat or the hashtag to pitch people who have not asked.
Joining any event chat is optional. If you join, you agree to keep it tactful and on topic.
Speakers and presentations
This applies on stage as much as off it. Keep slides and language free of sexual imagery and of material that demeans any group. If in doubt, ask us before you present.
How to report a problem
If you experience or see behaviour that breaks this code, tell us as soon as you can.
You do not need to be certain it was a breach. If something felt wrong, we want to know.
- Speak to any member of the Search Marketing Summit team on site. We are at the registration desk and in the room throughout the event.
- Email Barry Smyth, Event Director, at barry@nodramamedia.com.au. This inbox is read throughout the event.
- Call or text 0403 060 209.
- If anyone is in immediate danger, call 000 or alert SMC Conference Centre security first, then tell us.
What happens when you report
- We will take you somewhere you can speak privately, and you can bring someone with you.
- We will treat what you tell us in confidence and share it only with the people who need to act on it.
- You will not be asked to confront the person involved.
- We will write down what happened: who, when, where and what.
- We will act quickly and in proportion to what happened.
Depending on what we find, that may mean a warning, removal from the event without a refund, exclusion from future Search Marketing Summit events, or involving venue security or the police.
The person the report is about will be told a report has been made and given the chance to respond. Both sides will be treated fairly.
Emergencies
Emergency services: 000
Venue: SMC Conference Centre, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Event Director: Barry Smyth, barry@nodramamedia.com.au, 0403 060 209
Agreement
By registering for, speaking at, sponsoring or working at a Search Marketing Summit event, you agree to this code. It forms part of our Terms and Conditions.
Thanks for helping keep the Summit the kind of room people come back to.