Event Code of Conduct Policy

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) values the diversity of views, expertise, opinions, backgrounds, and experiences reflected among everyone attending its events, and the AASM is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all in attendance. AASM events should serve as an effective forum to consider and debate clinical and scientific viewpoints in an orderly, respectful, and fair manner. This Event Code of Conduct is important for promoting diversity and creating an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative environment for all participants at AASM events.

All meeting participants – including attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, meeting staff, members of the media, vendors, and service providers (hereinafter “participants”) – are expected to abide by this Event Code of Conduct. This Event Code of Conduct applies to events and activities in any venue associated with the primary event, including official and ancillary events, and online forums and discussions.

Expected Behavior

  • Treat all participants with kindness, respect, and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions (including those you may not share).
  • Communicate openly, with respect for other participants, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.
  • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech directed toward other participants.
  • Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert meeting staff if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
  • Respect the rules and policies of all meeting venues and spaces.

Unacceptable Behavior

  • Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form will not be tolerated.
  • Examples of unacceptable behavior include:
  • Physical or verbal abuse of any participant
  • Unwelcome or offensive verbal comments or exclusionary behavior
  • Inappropriate or unwanted physical contact
  • Unwanted sexual attention
  • Use of sexual or discriminatory images in public spaces or in presentations
  • Deliberate intimidation or stalking
  • Harassing photography or recording
  • Sustained disruption of talks or other events
  • Bullying behavior
  • Retaliation for reporting unacceptable behavior

During events, AASM has the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior. Due process for addressing complaints, as described below, will occur after the event concludes.

Immediate Serious Threat to Public Safety

  • Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety should immediately contact local law enforcement (by calling 911) and notify facility security.

Reporting Unacceptable Behavior

  • If you are not in immediate danger but feel that you are the subject of unacceptable behavior, have witnessed such behavior, or have other concerns, please notify an event staff member or an AASM board member as soon as possible, who can work with the AASM leadership to resolve the situation. All reports will be treated seriously and responded to promptly.
  • In addition to notifying someone in person, you can also report an incident via email to the AASM Executive Director Steve Van Hout at svanhout@aasm.org.

The AASM reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the event without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and the AASM reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future AASM event.

For any questions about this policy, please send an email to contact@aasm.org or call 630-737-9700.

Approved Oct. 21, 2023