WEF Events - Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct     Ombuds Service     Related WEF Policies

WEF is committed to providing professional, safe, and welcoming environments during its events for all water professionals and their guests. WEF expects all attendees, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, media, and other participants to uphold our commitment to diversity and inclusion by helping us provide a positive conference environment for everyone.

WEF Events Code of Conduct

The following WEF Events Code of Conduct allows WEF to create the best experience possible for WEF participants at a WEF event. This WEF Events Code of Conduct provides general guidelines and examples that are representative of both expected and unacceptable behavior; however, such expected and unacceptable behavior is not limited to these examples.

As a WEF participant, you agree to the following:

• To treat all individuals with respect and create a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment.
• To value a diversity of views and opinions by communicating openly with respect for others.
• Not to verbally abuse any individual or to discriminate, harass, or intimidate based on gender, race, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, physical appearance, age, religion, national origin, veteran status, citizenship, or professional rank.
• To abide by the Compliance with Antitrust Laws section of this WEF Events Code of Conduct.

 Expected behavior:

• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
• Attempt collaboration before conflict.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert WEF staff if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this WEF Events Code of Conduct, even if they seem inconsequential.

Unacceptable Behavior:

• Harassment and discrimination, which includes any verbal, physical, or visual conduct based on gender, race, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, physical appearance, age, religion, national origin, veteran status, citizenship, or professional rank;
• Inappropriate display, sharing, or use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces (including presentation slides);
• Any physical or verbal intimidation, stalking, or following of other WEF participant(s);
• Harassing, photographing, or recording of WEF participant(s);
• Sustained disruption of sessions, talks, or other events;
• Inappropriate physical contact and any unwelcome sexual attention (physical or verbal);
• Boisterous, lewd, or offensive behavior or language, such as threatening, intimidation, coercion, use of sexually explicit or offensive language or conduct, profanity, obscene gestures, or racial, religious, or ethnic slurs.
• Any illegal conduct or any conduct that WEF determines reflects negatively on or harms the reputation or business interests of WEF, the WEF Event, and other WEF Participants.
• Any harm, disturbance, disruption, or other interference with the WEF Event or the WEF Event venue(s).
• Misrepresentation of identity to gain access to sessions, exhibit halls, or events, such as use of another attendee’s badge or use of a name badge from a prior WEF event.
• Non-adherence to the Compliance with Antitrust Laws section of this WEF Events Code of Conduct.

Differences of Opinion and Offense: To achieve the purposes of an event in the limited time provided, with the universal benefit of all WEF participants’ being fully engaged, discussions should be focused on the meeting topic at hand. All WEF participants must be able and welcome to equitably and effectively participate. It is not a violation of the WEF Events Code of Conduct to express an opinion, raise research, or describe an experience (“articulation”) that is at odds with the opinions of or is offensive to others—if the articulation is part of an on-point discussion of the event topic at hand and is offered in a manner that does not interfere with others’ reasonable ability and welcome to participate fully. That means expressing differing positions with respect and consideration for all, in a manner that reflects intellectual rigor and is demonstrably mindful of minimizing, as reasonably possible, its potential adverse effect on others’ ability to participate. (Offering an advance warning of the potential for impact on others is one way to demonstrate such respect and consideration for all.) It also means not making an articulation that is reasonably expected to cause offense gratuitously (i.e., unrelated or unnecessary for the work on that topic). It means not directing the articulation as a personal attack, insult, or “put-down” of an individual and not dominating the discussion. It further means demonstrating consideration for anyone who appears to be in distress by promptly stopping the cause and demonstrating caring while still pursuing a way to share pertinent information, with the WEF moderator’s assistance if needed.

Compliance with Antitrust Laws: When participating in a WEF Event, WEF participants agree to comply with all federal and state antitrust laws. This means WEF participants are prohibited from engaging in behavior that may be construed as anticompetitive or in violation of antitrust laws. This includes a number of topics that must not be discussed at WEF Events or be the subject of any type of agreement, whether formal or informal, express or implied, among competitors regarding their products or services, such as, but not limited to:

• Pricing: past, current, future, fair profit levels, price changes, standards, stabilization
• Terms of Sale: controlling sales, allocating markets, discounts, credit terms
• Salaries, benefits, and other terms of employment for staff
• Specific customers/vendors and their pricing or business practices

WEF participants should be vigilant to steer clear of such topics in educational presentations as well as informal sessions at which prohibited topics may be introduced for discussion. By conducting business openly and avoiding even the appearance of engaging in activity that might be seen to have an effect on prices or competition, WEF and WEF participants can protect themselves against charges of antitrust violations and anticompetitive behavior.

Violations of WEF Events Code of Conduct: Violations of this WEF Events Code of Conduct, any dangerous situations, or anyone in distress should be reported immediately to a WEF Event representative, the WEF Event Ombuds (if any), the WEF Executive Director (executivedirector@wef.org), or the WEF Event venue security.

Any WEF participants who feel physically unsafe or believe a crime has been committed at a WEF Event should contact local police immediately.

Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.

Regardless of who makes the request or reports a violation of this WEF Events Code of Conduct, WEF may take any action it deems necessary and appropriate against any WEF Participant who engages in behavior that does not adhere to the principles set forth in this WEF Events Code of Conduct. Such actions include, but shall not be limited to, the WEF Participant’s immediate expulsion from the WEF Event without warning, without a refund of their registration fee, and the disqualification of the WEF Participant from participating in future WEF Events and any other WEF activity. Further, if the WEF participant who violates this WEF Events Code of Conduct is also a WEF member, such WEF participant shall also be subject to the disciplinary actions set forth in the WEF Member Code of Conduct and the Member Discipline Policy.

Ombuds Service

What does an ombuds do?

• An ombuds (or ombudsman or ombudsperson) is a confidential, impartial, informal, and independent resource to help manage conflict and find fair solutions to problems that arise during an event.
• They provide support with addressing communication issues, harassment of any kind, discrimination, disability access, sexual misconduct, and safety concerns, among other concerns.
• They offer time and private space to talk about your experience; listen carefully; discuss paths forward; facilitate conversations; and share policies & procedures.

What does an ombuds not do?

• The ombuds does not provide legal advice or counseling and does not make decisions on the issues brought to them.
• Discussing an issue with the ombuds does not constitute formal notice to WEF Leadership and/or Event Management about the existence of a problem. However, the ombuds will help identify the proper channels to provide WEF Leadership and/or Event Management with information about an issue without identifying where the information came from.

MWI will provide ombuds services at the following 2026 WEF Events (as of January 13, 2026 – subject to change):

• WEF/AWWA Young Professionals Summit
• WEF/AWWA Utility Management Conference
• Residuals, Biosolids and Treatment Technology Conference
• Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference
• WEFTEC

Meet the MWI Ombuds

Ombuds FAQs

Related WEF policies

Non-discrimination and Harassment

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Unauthorized Promotion: WEF Events are built on the strength of community with attendees, exhibitors, speakers, and sponsors who invest in participation. To protect those investments and uphold the integrity of the WEF and WEF Events brands, we ask everyone to respect our brand guidelines as well as our policy against unauthorized promotion. Only registered exhibitors and sponsors may promote their products or services at WEF Events. This includes handing out brochures, hosting sales meetings, or displaying materials. Other individuals and companies are not permitted to market or solicit business at WEF Events. This policy ensures a level playing field for all and helps maintain the high standards that make WEF Events trusted and respected. Anyone found engaging in unauthorized promotion may be asked to leave without a refund and could be barred from future events.