Code of Conduct

St. Louis Startup Week is dedicated to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for everyone regardless of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disabilities, neurodiversity, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, nationality, race, age, religion, or other protected category.

We invite you to help us build a space that allows everyone to flourish and be their best selves by keeping the following best practices in mind:

• Be excellent to each other: Treat everyone with consideration and respect.
• Practice inclusion: Actively include people from diverse backgrounds and experiences in discussions and activities. Make everyone feel welcome.
• Encourage collaboration: Build on each other's ideas and foster a collaborative environment.
• Listen actively: Pay attention when others are speaking and engage thoughtfully with their ideas.
• Speak up if you see anything: If you see or hear something that isn't right, whether it is happening to yourself or someone else, politely engage and bring it to the person's attention. If necessary, report the behavior to event staff.

STL Startup Week does not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Violations of this policy are taken seriously and will be responded to appropriately.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Verbal language that reinforces social structures of domination related to gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disabilities, neurodiversity, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, nationality, race, age, religion, or other protected category.
• Sexual language and imagery in public spaces, including presentations, slides, and speaker content.
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or unwelcome following.
• Harassing photography or recording.
• Sustained disruption of talks or other events.
• Inappropriate physical contact.
• Unwelcome sexual attention.
• Possession and/or use of illegal substances.
• Possession of an item that can be used as a weapon causing harm to others.
• Offensive verbal language.
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviors.

Enforcement

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event without a refund. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Reporting

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Event staff are here to help you feel safe for the duration of STL Startup Week. 

If you cannot find an event staff member in person, you are welcome to email info@techartistafoundation.org with details of the situation.

When making a personal report, event staff will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve other event staff to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we will ask you to tell us about what happened. While we understand that this can be upsetting, we promise to handle it as respectfully as possible. 

Our team will be happy to help you contact venue security, local law enforcement, local support services, or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the duration of STL Startup Week. We value your attendance and safety.

Local Law Enforcement Contact Information:

• St. Louis Police Department: 314-231-1212
• YWCA Metro St. Louis Women’s Crisis Services Sexual Assault Hotline: 314.531.7273

This policy extends to talks, forums, workshops, social media, parties, hallway conversations, and all attendees, partners, sponsors, volunteers, and event staff. We reserve the right to refuse admittance to, or remove any person from, any STL Startup Week event at any time. This includes, but is not limited to, attendees behaving in a disorderly manner or failing to comply with this policy.

Thank you for helping us create a safe and welcoming environment for all participants.