Code of Conduct & Safety Policy
Code of Conduct and Safety Policy
The International Association of Movers (IAM) is committed to fostering a welcoming, safe, respectful, accountable, and inclusive environment at the Annual Meeting & Expo and all associated IAM events. This policy outlines our expectations for all participants and ensures alignment with our core values of integrity, professionalism, and mutual respect.
IAM is working alongside fellow industry associations to uphold shared safeguarding principles across the moving and relocation sector. This Code of Conduct reflects that broader commitment.
Scope of Applicability
This policy applies to all individuals participating in IAM-hosted events, including but not limited to attendees, IAM employees, vendors, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and guests.
This Code of Conduct extends to all official and affiliated event activities, in-person or virtual, during or outside of scheduled programming, including all related communications via email, social media, and messaging platforms.
Our Commitment
IAM is dedicated to providing a space that supports open dialogue, professional networking, and constructive debate, which is free from harassment, discrimination, and intimidation. All IAM event participants are expected to:
- Treat others with respect, courtesy, and consideration always.
- Maintain a professional demeanor, even when viewpoints differ.
- Follow all event rules and venue policies.
- Comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
- Adhere to all health and safety protocols.
- Intervene or report when witnessing behavior that violates this policy.
Unacceptable Behavior
IAM has a zero-tolerance policy for behavior that compromises the dignity, safety, or well-being of others. Unacceptable conduct includes, but is not limited to:
- Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any kind.
- Offensive speech or behavior related to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, age, military/veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
- Inappropriate use of sexual or graphic imagery in public or virtual spaces.
- Unwelcome physical or verbal attention, including stalking, following, or persistent unwanted interaction.
- Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern or participates in a review.
- Disruption of sessions, presentations, or other event activities.
- Aggressive behavior, threats, or conduct creating a hostile environment.
- Distribution of promotional materials without IAM's express authorization.
- Badge sharing, swapping, or transfer under any circumstances. Both the individual found wearing another person's badge and the registered attendee who provided that badge are considered to have violated this policy. See the Badge Policy section below for tiered enforcement details.
Bystander Responsibility
Creating a safe environment is a shared responsibility. If you see behavior that appears to violate this Code of Conduct, you are encouraged to:
- Check in with the person who may be affected.
- Speak up if it is safe to do so.
- Report the behavior to event staff or through the reporting channels outlined below.
Health & Safety
IAM may implement specific health and safety protocols in response to global or local health concerns. These will be communicated in advance. Participants who are unable or unwilling to comply may be denied entry or asked to leave.
Reporting an Incident
IAM encourages all participants to report any concerns or violations they experience or witness. Reports can be made by victims, witnesses, or bystanders. All reports will be kept confidential.
How to Report
Reports may be submitted in any of the following ways:
- By phone or email: Contact one of the designated reporting officials listed below.
- Digital reporting form: Submit a report through the confidential form available via the event app or using the QR code on the back of your conference badge.
- Reports may be made anonymously, though providing contact information allows IAM to follow up and provide support.
Designated Reporting Officials
Brian Limperopulos
CAE President, International Association of Movers
+1-202-368-5813
Kelly Laurie
IAM Event Manager
iam@mmsmeetings.com
What Happens After a Report
- Acknowledgment: Confirmation that the report has been received (within 48 hours for written reports; immediately for in-person reports).
- Assessment: IAM will promptly assess the nature and severity of the incident.
- Investigation: IAM will conduct a fair and discreet inquiry.
- Action: Appropriate action will be taken per the Enforcement section below.
- Follow-up: The reporting individual will be informed of the outcome to the extent possible while respecting confidentiality.
Confidentiality
All reports will be handled with the strictest confidence. Information will only be shared with those directly involved in assessing and responding to the incident. IAM will handle all records in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy laws. Where an incident involves potential criminal conduct, IAM may share relevant information with law enforcement.
Enforcement & Consequences
IAM reserves the right to take appropriate action in response to any violation of this Code of Conduct. This may include, at IAM's sole discretion:
- Verbal or written warning
- Required mediation or meeting with IAM officials
- Revocation of event access
- Removal from event premises without refund
- Disqualification from participation in future IAM events
- Badge confiscation and tiered enforcement as detailed in the Badge Policy section below
- Notification of the individual's employer or sponsoring organization
- Notification of local law enforcement where appropriate
- Sharing relevant information with partner industry associations in accordance with IAM's cross-association safeguarding commitments, subject to applicable legal requirements
Pattern of behavior: IAM will maintain records of reported incidents. A pattern of behavior, including repeated minor infractions that may not individually warrant severe action may be treated as a cumulative violation warranting escalated consequences.
Badge Policy
Tiered Enforcement
Badge violations are subject to a tiered enforcement framework so that consequences are proportionate to the nature of the violation.
| Tier | Situation | Examples | Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No badge displayed — likely accidental | Badge fell off; attendee in a common area without badge displayed | Friendly reminder; credentials verified at registration. Replacement badges subject to applicable replacement costs. |
| 2 | Own credential used incorrectly | Exhibitor badge used to access a full-conference session | Written warning; escorted from restricted area. |
| 3 | Wearing another person's badge | Using another attendee's badge; splitting one registration across multiple days | Badge confiscated; removal from event until the individual is fully and independently registered for the conference and a fine equivalent to one additional conference registration fee is paid. Failure to remit payment may result in removal from the current and any future events, the imposition of additional penalties, and potential further disciplinary action. The IAM Member company will be notified. For repeat violations, the IAM President has full discretion to escalate, including referral to the Ethics Council and exclusion from future IAM events. |
| 4 | Deliberate fraud or systemic misuse | Multiple staff sharing a single badge; impersonating a registered attendee when challenged | All Tier 3 responses apply. The IAM President may refer the matter to the Ethics Council. Potential membership-level action under the IAM By-Laws. |
Where a violation results in a fine (Tier 3 or above), unpaid fines will be pursued in the same manner as unpaid IAM membership dues. IAM staff are empowered to make on-site determinations at their reasonable discretion, and the IAM President retains authority to review, escalate, or modify any determination as circumstances warrant.
Accountability for Both Parties
Both the individual found wearing another person's badge and the registered attendee who provided that badge are considered to have violated this policy and are subject to disciplinary consequences. Where evidence of coercion or institutional direction is established, enforcement may be directed primarily at the member company rather than the individual employee.
The individual found wearing another person's badge is subject to the tiered consequences set out above.
The registered attendee who surrendered their badge: Voluntarily transferring a registration credential to enable another individual's access constitutes a violation of this policy which shall result in a fine equivalent to two conference registration fees and may also be subject to the tiered consequences set out above. Failure to remit applicable fines shall result in the same consequences as non-payment of annual IAM membership dues.
Code of Ethics Cross-Reference
Badge violations may also constitute a breach of the IAM Code of Ethics under Articles II (Responsible & Professional Conduct), IV (Honesty & Truthfulness), V (Abide by Lawful Agreements), and/or IX (Do Not Discredit the Association). Such matters may be referred to the Ethics Council, creating a pathway from individual-level enforcement to member-company accountability.
Registration Acknowledgment
By completing event registration, all attendees acknowledge and accept the terms of this badge policy. A consent acknowledgment is incorporated into the registration process with a link to this section of the Code of Conduct.