NAFSA: Association of International Educators is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and NAFSA staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, NAFSA staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by this Meeting Safety & Responsibility Policy. This Policy applies to all NAFSA meeting-related events, in-person or virtual, including those sponsored by organizations other than NAFSA but held in conjunction with NAFSA events, in public or private facilities.

NAFSA has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment by participants or our staff at our meetings, in-person or virtual.

NAFSA reserves 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, and NAFSA reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting.

If you experience or observe any incidents of harassment that may be in violation of this policy, please contact [email protected], so that NAFSA can evaluate the circumstances and take any appropriate action.

Unacceptable Behavior

  • Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
  • Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, NAFSA staff member, service provider, or other online participant or meeting guest.
  • Disruption of events organized by NAFSA or convened at NAFSA-contracted facilities, including, but not limited to, in-person or virtual presentations, programs, meetings, convention and exhibits space, or hotel space.
  • Other examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: verbal comments related to gender or gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images online, in public spaces, or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, NAFSA staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.

Personal Safety and Security

NAFSA works diligently to provide a safe and secure environment at its meetings, programs, and events by working to ensure that all participants are safe. We ask that all attendees report any questionable or concerning activity to NAFSA staff so that they can take necessary action.

In-Person Meetings and Events

NAFSA advises participants at all meetings, programs, and events to be proactive to ensure their physical safety.

  • Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
  • Use the buddy system when walking to and from the event venue, networking event locations during early or late hours.
  • Don't wear your meeting badge on the street. Take it off as soon as you leave the building/venue.
  • Don't carry a lot of cash or credit cards. Leave in your hotel room safe.
  • Don't leave personal property unattended anywhere, anytime.
  • If there is an emergency or if you need immediate assistance, you can ask any NAFSA staff member or the on-site security personnel to help you.

Responsible Drinking

At most NAFSA networking events both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are served. NAFSA expects participants at our events to drink responsibly. NAFSA and meeting host event staff have the right to deny service to participants for any reason and may require a participant to leave the event.