Event Policies

By registering to attend a SHRM conference, you consent to the following policies. These policies are strictly enforced, and apply to all exhibitors, speakers, vendors, sponsors, volunteers and attendees, and are without exception.

code of conduct

At all SHRM conferences, our goal is to provide a safe and positive experience and we expect our attendees, exhibitors, speakers, vendors, volunteers and sponsors to follow this Code of Conduct. Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated at any time and may result in immediate removal from the event.

• Expected Behavior
  • Be considerate of those with whom you may interact.
  • Be collaborative with others.
  • Be respectful of others’ viewpoints that may differ from your own.
  • Be mindful of your words and actions.
• Unacceptable Behavior
  • Offensive or unwanted behavior or language, including, but not limited to, discriminatory behavior or language based on 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. Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning speech or actions will not be tolerated.
  • Visual harassment, such as displaying sexual or offensive images OR inappropriate language at the session, meeting, or event, including in presentations, within the mobile app, slide decks, as backgrounds, or on clothing visible to attendees.
  • Intimidation or bullying, either online or in-person.
  • Possession of a weapon or something that could be construed as a weapon during the event or on video.
  • Photographing, video- or audio-recording of slides or oral presentation, as well as posting presentations without presenter/author’s permission.
  • Possession of illegal substances during the event.
  • Sharing your event registration information, including your conference badge, with another person(s).
  • Inappropriate disruption of sessions, discussions, or other events.
  • Real or implied threat of physical, professional or financial damage or harm.
  • Any other illegal activity not already covered above.

AGE RESTRICTION

For safety reasons, anyone under the age of 18 is not allowed to register or attend a SHRM conference. Strollers or infant carriers are not permitted at any time. Only registrants are allowed to be present in the Expo, conference sessions, concerts and receptions.

SOLICITATION

Solicitation cannot take place in the aisles or any other space in the event venue not leased to exhibitors. Sidewalks, parking lots, and surrounding areas of the event venue are property of the event venue, not SHRM. Exhibitor staff, uniformed personnel, or any person representing the marketing or the promotion of the exhibiting company are not allowed to utilize this space for solicitation purposes. This includes the distribution of materials without proper authorization being granted in advance.

Soliciting is also prohibited in the mobile app or the web format (chat function in sessions, networking rooms and activities).

Exhibitors or attendees violating these rules will be removed from the event.

CONSENT FOR SHRM PHOTOGRAPHERS

By attending the event, you acknowledge that your image may be captured on video or in photos taken on behalf of SHRM. You further provide SHRM the right to use candid group photos or videos without securing additional permission, provided those images are not accompanied by further personally identifying information. Please note:

• Photos and/or recordings cannot be copied, altered, sold, exhibited, or further distributed without SHRM’s prior written consent.
• Photos and/or recordings are the exclusive property of SHRM.
• SHRM may post photos and/or recordings on SHRM's official social media pages during and after the conference.

In addition, no disruptions due to photography and/or recording shall be allowed, and violators may lose attendance privileges. This includes drones and personal professional photography equipment and applies to attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and vendors.

You may be asked to participate in interviews, such as testimonial videos, etc. In which case, you will be asked to fill out an additional consent form.

PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Unless otherwise noted in advance, you may not record any live musical performances.

SHRM encourages our attendees, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers and vendors to share their experience at SHRM conferences on social media, unless a speaker specifically prohibits sharing of their content. By sharing photos and videos on social media channels, you are consenting that SHRM may reshare, repost and use those photos and videos prior, during, and after the conference.

MEDIA SHARED BY PRESENTERS

Presenters may share additional media and resources as part of their session or session record. These resources are provided for attendees’ personal use and are not for distribution unless the resource explicitly states that it can be broadly distributed, or written permission is individually granted by the presenter. In either case, proper attribution to the original creator is required.

IMPORTANT: Use and reproduction of the conference logo and/or SHRM’s logo to promote non-SHRM sanctioned products or services is strictly prohibited.

ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATIONS

SHRM believes in providing equal opportunity for everyone. We provide standard organizational-wide accessibility accommodations and will review ad hoc requests for additional accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Our goal is to work with you to find the right solutions for you to have access. View SHRM’s accessibility policy, here.

If you have any reasonable accessibility and accommodation requests, please complete the accessibility & accommodation form in advance for us to have appropriate lead time. Although we strive to provide as much space and accommodations as possible, there is a limited amount of space available and it is based on a first come, first served basis.

Reasonable accessibility accommodations for SHRM conferences may include but are not limited to:

• American Sign Language (ASL), Communication Assisted Realtime Translation (CART) Interpretation, and ASR Captioning
  • ASL Interpretation requests must be made at least 7 calendar days before the start of event.
  • CART requests must be made at least 5 business days before the program.
  • ASR captioning is available for all our livestreamed sessions via the app or web format.
• Dietary restrictions
• Gender-neutral restrooms (with and without urinals)
• Prayer, meditation & quiet room
• Reserved accessibility & accommodations advanced seating*
• Scooter rentals
• Wellness room (includes lactation and medical needs)

If you have questions pertaining to accommodations related to the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP tests, please refer to the SHRM Certification Handbook for additional information. When you register for live events, or other certain online events, you will also be prompted to specify additional accommodation needs. Please be as specific as possible.

• *For reserved accessibility and accommodations advanced seating, those seats may be released 10 minutes before the start of the session. If you have specific seating requirements related to your accommodation, please submit those in advance using the accommodation form.

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE

A certificate of attendance will be provided upon request for those who require one. Please reach out to the SHRM Customer Experience team to receive your certificate.

INFORMATION SHARING/PRIVACY POLICY

The Conference attendee list, which contains the name and contact information for Conference registrants, may be shared with select sponsors for marketing purposes. Unless you have opted out during registration, by participating in the Conference you agree to the sharing of this information.

Contact information sharing with other participants (attendees, speakers, exhibitors, volunteers and vendor representatives) is controlled through a participant’s own preferences and interactions within the event mobile app, web format, and badge scanners. Provided you supply your name, title, company, address, city, state, zip code, country, email, phone number, company size, department size, specialty, position level, purchasing authority, bio, and/or URLs. (“Participant Registration Data”), the information may be disclosed to the sponsors, exhibitors, and/or vendors.

Participant Registration Data may be captured for exhibitors and sponsors if a participant chooses to share it by engaging in virtual or in person sponsored sessions or booth demos, submitting Participant Registration Data to the exhibitor at the virtual or in person booth, engaging in direct communication with vendor representatives through the platform, scheduling exhibitor meetings, or entering official prize drawing opportunities, offers and games.

To opt out of vendor related communications, select the box “I do not wish to receive vendor related communications” in your initial registration form in the SHRMStore. After your registration is complete, you can also contact SHRM Customer Experience at 800-283-7476 or shrm@shrm.org to update your preferences.

To review SHRM’s full privacy policy, click here.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

SHRM will continue to follow the guidance of The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as it relates to COVID-19 and other communicable diseases along with state, local and venue requirements to meet safely.

If you are not feeling well prior to or during a SHRM conference, we encourage you to utilize the event mobile app and web format to livestream sessions and participate in the conference. Attendees have access to the mobile app and web format for 30 days post-conference. For any other questions, please contact SHRM’s Customer Experience at shrm@shrm.org or call 800.283.7476, option 3 (US Only), +1.703.548.3440, option 3 (Int'l), TTY/TDD +1.703.548.6999 on Weekdays between 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET.

WAIVER OF LAWSUIT/RELEASE OF LIABILITY:

COVID-19 WARNING, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION FOR ATTENDING THE 2025 SHRM CONFERENCES.

• WARNING RELATED TO COVID-19 INFECTION
  • The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic and is very contagious
  • COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness and even death.
  • SHRM has taken and will continue to take all reasonable precautions to prevent against the presence and spread of the disease but cannot and does not guarantee against exposure; and therefore, in choosing to attend SHRM Conferences you acknowledge that you are assuming a risk that you may be exposing yourself to COVID-19 and its potential health risks
• ASSUMPTION OF RISK
  • I have read and understand the above warning concerning COVID-19. I acknowledge that attending a SHRM Conference is of value to me and that I accept the risk of being exposed to COVID-19 in order to attend. Therefore, I choose to accept the risk of exposure to COVID-19, and I agree that I am personally responsible for my safety and actions while attending SHRM Conferences.
• WAIVER OF LAWSUIT/ RELEASE OF LIABILITY
  • I, for myself, my family, successors, and assigns hereby forever release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue SHRM, its board of directors, board members, officers, agents, servants, affiliates, employees, successors, and assigns (collectively the “Released Parties”) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever, directly or indirectly arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me related to COVID-19 while participating in any activity associated with SHRM Conferences.
• INDEMNIFICATION
  • I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, claims, lawsuits, judgments, losses, and/or liabilities (including attorney fees) arising either directly or indirectly from or related to any and all claims made by or against any of the Released Parties due to bodily injury, death, loss of use, monetary loss, or any other injury from or related to my attendance at SHRM Conferences specifically related to COVID-19.