EVENT CANCELLATION POLICY

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) will refund registration fees for any reason up to fourteen (14) calendar days from the event. Because SPE must make commitments based on attendance expectations to our hotel venues, caterers, and other suppliers, no refunds are permitted after this date; however, you may transfer your registration to another individual within your company at anytime.

Should you elect to cancel your registration, you are responsible for canceling your travel arrangements (flights, hotel accommodations, etc.) and any resulting re-booking, cancellation or similar fees or charges.

EVENT CODE OF CONDUCT

SPE is committed to providing a professional, friendly, and welcoming environment for all participants at SPE Events, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, or other protected classes. We expect all Event participants and partners (virtual or in person) help ensure a positive experience for all. Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated during any portion of any SPE Event.

All participants in SPE Events must abide by the following policy.

Expected behavior:

• Be considerate of those with whom you may interact.
• Be collaborative with others.
• Be respectful of others’ viewpoints that may be different from your own.
• Be mindful of your words and actions.
• Adhere to SPE, venue, and other relevant health protocols.
• Abide by the SPE Antitrust Reminders and Meeting Guidelines

Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to:

• Offensive or unwanted behavior or language including, but not limited to, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, transgender status, age, disability, veteran or marital status, political affiliation, or any other similar categories.
• Visual harassment, such as displaying sexual or offensive images OR inappropriate language at the event, including in presentations, slide decks, as backgrounds, or on clothing visible to attendees.
• Intimidation or bullying, either online and/or in-person.
• Possession of a weapon or something that could be construed as a weapon during the Event or on video.
• Photographing, or video- or audio-recording of slides, oral, or poster presentations without presenter/author’s permission.
• Possession or mention of illegal substances during the Event, or on video.
• Sharing your Event registration with another person(s).
• Inappropriate disruption of Events.
• Any other illegal activity not already covered above.
• Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning speech or actions.
• Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images.
• Real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm.
• Retaliation or disadvantaging an individual who reports a conduct concern or participates in its resolution.
• Stalking, unwelcome or surreptitious photography or recording of individuals.
• Violating the rules and regulations of the online platform on which the Event is held.

Report harassment or disruptive behaviors to SPE at wecare@4spe.org or any SPE staff member at the event. If an immediate and serious safety concern arises, call 911 or alert venue security.

Consequences of misconduct or not following SPE’s expectations of behavior may include immediate removal from the SPE Event (virtual or in person) without warning and/or restrictions from attending future SPE Events. In such circumstances, no refund will be provided.

RESPONSIBLE DRINKING

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

HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY

SPE is committed to responding appropriately to concerns regarding communicable diseases and health risks as they relate to any in-person SPE Event. Accordingly, SPE will implement health and safety protocols aligned and in compliance with venue and governmental regulations appropriate to the public health circumstances at the time of the Event. SPE will exercise reasonable efforts to utilize protocols that will comply with applicable public health requirements and be consistent with the then-prevailing public health standards as issued by relevant public health entities.

Compliance with protocols adopted by SPE will be mandatory for in-person attendance and participation at Events. Information about specific health and safety protocols, and any necessary consent by you (the Customer), will be communicated before the first day of the Event.

Plan to arrive symptom-free to the Event. If you are unable to attend your event because of illness, contact our team for assistance with your registration.

Call +1.203.740.5400 from 9:30 am – 5:30 pm ET
Email spe@4spe.org anytime.

Reporting Dangerous Situations or Emergencies
If there is a situation that looks concerning or could be dangerous, notify Event organizers onsite in a prompt manner. In an emergency, please contact building security and/or local authorities immediately. Please refer to the Event onsite program or mobile app for additional details.

NOTICE OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY

When you enter an SPE event or program, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, webcasts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by SPE and their affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of SPE. You release SPE, their officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by SPE or the person or entity designated to do so by SPE. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.

USE OF MULTIMEDIA

During SPE Events, photography, and videography by individuals for personal use is permitted with the understanding that it may not be disruptive to other attendees, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, or the overall event. Exceptions may apply to certain programs and will be posted and announced accordingly. Use of the aforementioned media for business or media requires written permission and approval from SPE.

You (the Customer) must always respect the intellectual property, copyrights, or trademarks of exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, and SPE. For digital programming, SPE prohibits the use of screenshots and/ or any other technology that can be used to capture proprietary content and images from the program. SPE reserves the right to stop any activity taking place that violates these guidelines.

Due to the prevalence of mobile devices today, SPE disclaims all liability for the capture of your image, voice, or likeness by Attendees (who are not under sponsorship contracts with SPE) in any multimedia format at a SPE Event.

EVENT ACCESSIBILITY

SPE makes every effort to design and deliver products accessible to all participants. Event, venue, and platform specifications are established and determined on a case-by-case basis.

If you have questions or require special accommodations or auxiliary aid related to a disability for you to participate in the SPE Event, please notify us on the registration form or contact us at least three weeks in advance of the program by message to spe@4spe.org outlining your needs and request for accommodation. We will make every effort to work with you to accommodate your needs.

If you require additional accommodation while onsite at an in-person SPE Event, please visit the registration area to speak with a staff members. While we will make every attempt to facilitate onsite accommodations, we may be limited in our ability to accommodate your request based on available resources.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK

In choosing to attend an Event in person you, the Customer, acknowledge that you are voluntarily engaging with SPE for the in-person programming. You agree that in-person gatherings carry certain risks related to transmission of any infectious disease, that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid such risks. You voluntarily accept and assume all known and unknown risks related to exposure to any infectious disease in connection with SPE’s provision of the Event.

RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY

In consideration of the opportunity to participate in an Event provided by SPE and its officers, directors, employees, members, volunteers, representatives, and agents (together, “SPE”), you, the Customer, hereby FOREVER RELEASE, WAIVE, AND HOLD HARMLESS SPE from any and all liability, injury, damage, loss, or expense that may arise, directly or indirectly, now or in the future, regardless of whether caused by fault on the part of SPE, in connection with your participation in a SPE Event.

By participating in a SPE Event, YOU VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS RELATED TO EXPOSURE TO COMMUNICABLE DISEASES. YOU PROMISE NOT TO SUE SPE for any of the claims that you have released, waived, and discharged. You hereby assume all risk of personal injury, damage and expense related to your participation in, and travel to and from, the Event. 

You understand this release and waiver is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by law, and that if any portion of this release and waiver is held invalid, the remainder will continue in full legal force and effect. This release and waiver shall extend to and be binding upon you and your estate, heirs, executors, administrators, and personal representatives.

You understand that your participation in a SPE Event is completely voluntary on your part and permitted at SPE’s discretion, and you agree to abide by all policies and procedures as established by SPE.

If your conduct does not meet reasonable standards of behavior, including without limitation following the SPE Antitrust Guidelines, SPE Health & Safety Policy, SPE Code of Conduct, and any supplemental instructions provided by SPE, your participation in an Event may be revoked, including immediate removal from the event without warning and/or restrictions from attending future in-person SPE Events. In such circumstances, no refund will be provided. You further agree that the maximum liability of SPE to you in connection with your participation in a SPE Event shall be the fees paid by you to SPE for the Event.

By registering and attending the Event, you signify that you have read the ASSUMPTION OF RISK, RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY, understand it and its terms and conditions, and agree to be bound legally by it and its terms and conditions.

BY REGISTERING FOR AN SPE EVENT, YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS LISTED ABOVE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE MAY RESULT IN REGISTRATION CANCELLATION WITHOUT REFUND. PLASTICS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO EXPEL ANYONE FROM AN EVENT WHO DOES NOT COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE TERMS. 

Reporting an Incident

Alert SPE staff if you notice or experience a dangerous situation or a violation of this Code of Conduct, or see someone in distress even if it seems inconsequential during the event.

You can report the incident through one of the following ways: