Conduct and Behaviour
Throughout the Meeting, all delegates are expected to interact with fellow attendees in a professional, respectful and collegial manner.
The ICS Annual Meeting is a place for learning, collaboration and the exchange of scientific and clinical knowledge. ICS values an environment where participants feel safe to share ideas, ask questions, express differing professional opinions and engage in constructive discussion, all with the common goal of improving healthcare worldwide.
The ICS Annual Meeting is strictly for medical professionals - patient advocates from accredited patient organisations may be invited for specific meetings. The general public are not permitted access to the meeting and exhibition - in some years ICS run a Public Forum event for the public, but there will not be a Public Forum held at ICS 2026 Maastricht.
As such:
- All communication, whether verbal, written or electronic, must be conducted respectfully and professionally. Offensive, intimidating, aggressive, inappropriate or disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated.
- Sessions during the Meeting will be moderated by Chairs. Delegates are expected to respect the decisions of moderators in selecting questions and comments, managing session times and facilitating discussion.
- Attendees must respect the privacy of other participants and refrain from any unauthorised or unwelcome recording or photography, including recording direct or indirect interactions or electronic communications with other delegates. Participants may not photograph or record scientific material unless they have obtained the express permission of the presenter. The recording of complete presentations is prohibited unless undertaken by a professional service contracted by, or on behalf of, ICS.
- ICS respects copyright and intellectual property rights relating to scientific research and educational content. Authors' consent may be requested where scientific materials from abstracts, posters or presentations are used as part of ICS educational activities.
Disruptive Behaviour
Behaviour that disrupts the scientific, educational or professional activities of the Meeting, compromises the safety or wellbeing of others, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment will not be tolerated.
Examples of disruptive or unacceptable behaviour include, but are not limited to:
- Sustained disruption of presentations, discussions, sessions, exhibitions or other Meeting activities.
- Aggressive, threatening, intimidating or abusive behaviour.
- Conduct that prevents delegates from participating in scientific or educational activities.
- Physical violence, unwanted physical contact or behaviour that causes others to feel unsafe.
- Deliberate damage to property or Meeting facilities.
- Any conduct that causes significant offence, distress or discomfort to other participants.
- Advocating for, encouraging or participating in any prohibited behaviour.
Any individual asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.
ICS reserves the right to take any action it deems appropriate in response to unacceptable conduct. This may include removal from the Meeting venue, refusal of entry to future Meeting sessions, exhibition areas and all associated social events, without refund or compensation. Serious incidents may also be reported to venue security, local authorities, employers or professional bodies, where appropriate.
Harassment
For the purposes of these guidelines, harassment consists of improper or unwelcome conduct that could reasonably be expected or perceived to cause offence, humiliation, intimidation or distress. Harassment may involve verbal, non-verbal, written, electronic or physical conduct and may occur between persons of the same or different genders.
Harassment in any form is not tolerated at the Meeting.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Verbal comments that reinforce exclusion, hostility or discrimination based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, race, age, religion or political affiliation.
- The creation, display or non-consensual sharing of harassing, inappropriate or sexual images, photographs or recordings.
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following.
- Inappropriate or unwelcome contact, including through electronic communications.
- Unwelcome sexual attention.
- Advocating for or encouraging any of the above behaviours.
Reporting Concerns
If you experience or witness behaviour that may violate this Code of Conduct, please contact a member of the ICS staff immediately. Reports will be treated seriously and handled as appropriately and confidentially as circumstances permit.