#MSDCon2024

Attendee Information

Code of Conduct

United MSD Foundation (UMSDF) and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) invite you to attend the 2024 International MSD Scientific and Family Conference with a spirit of respect and collaboration. We endeavor for the MSD Conference to be a positive experience for all attendees and will not tolerate inappropriate behavior in any form.

UMSDF and CHOP value the diversity of views, expertise, and experiences reflected among its conference attendees. We are committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all. 

A Respectful Environment

In order to create a respectful environment, you agree to:

• Respect the boundaries and confidentiality requests of speakers and other attendees
• Be mindful of fostering equitable inclusion in meeting spaces, including for those of all races, cultures, disabilities, ages, and genders
• Uphold accepted professional standards of ethical conduct in sharing research and ideas
• Respect the rules and policies of the meeting venue, hotel or UMSDF-contracted facility

We have zero tolerance towards any verbal or physical threats, violence, abuse, or harassment at any UMSDF online or live events. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes:

• Discrimination on the basis of any protected category. This criteria includes but isn’t limited to race, sex, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, disability and marital status.
• Offensive language and gestures, whether it is verbal harassment or abuse, sexually explicit language or gestures, profanity, obscenity or racial, religious or ethnic slurs.
• Any inappropriate or offensive materials, and any content that is intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning.
• Sexual harassment, including inappropriate physical contact and unwelcome sexual attention whether verbal, physical or otherwise, in person or online.
• Stalking, or behavior that causes apprehension to others including following, photography, and recording.

• Threats, intimidating and threatening behavior, whether verbal, physical or written, including menacing gestures.
• Physical harassment, threats and acts of violence, including pushing, shoving and the use of any physical force.
• Possession or display of any weapon or other item used to threaten or intimidate.
• Deliberately damaging the venue or other people’s property.
• Assembling for the purpose of disturbing the peace or committing an offense.

Reporting Any Concerns

If you have experienced or witnessed an incident that violates the Code of Conduct, please let an UMSDF or CHOP staff member know immediately. After the event, you may report an incident that occurred by contacting conference@unitedmsdfoundation.org.

Applying this Code

All participants must uphold the principles outlined in this Code of Conduct. Participants include staff, volunteers, attendees, sponsors, media, speakers/presenters, contractors, moderators, and others.

Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in unacceptable behavior or otherwise breaches this Code of Conduct, the event organizers, their representatives and/or security may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including:

• Expulsion from the event without warning or refund.
• Disqualification from participating in the future, including being barred from attending, speaking, exhibiting or sponsorship, and from engagement across UMSDF community events sites, social media channels and digital platforms.
• Reporting any unlawful behavior to the appropriate local or national authorities. 

All determinations of appropriate or inappropriate behavior are at the sole discretion of United MSD Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the event team; the decision(s) of the event representatives will be final. This Code of Conduct may be revised at any time and is non-negotiable.

On-Site Health & Safety Protocols

UMSDF and CHOP will follow local city, state and national guidelines for mask and vaccination requirements. Currently, there are no requirements. We encourage those who wish to wear masks, based on personal risk profile and preferences, to do so.

Many conference attendees work with or live with someone with a compromised immune system or are immune compromised. We ask that all staff, volunteers, speakers/presenters, and attendees respect the personal space and situation of those around them. If you have a fever or other symptoms that may put others at risk of becoming ill, we encourage you not to attend or to leave the conference space.

ADA Accessibility

UMSDF and CHOP welcomes all attendees and complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please notify UMSDF at the time you register, or in writing to conference@unitedmsdfoundation.org at least 30 calendar days prior to the event, if you need an interpreter or other accommodation related to audio, visual, or mobility needs.

Dietary Restrictions

If you have dietary restrictions, please notify UMSDF at time of registration, or in writing to conference@unitedmsdfoundation.org at least 30 calendar days prior to the event.