Event Participation Policies

By registering for a virtual or in-person APHA event, you acknowledge that you have read the policies and waivers below and will abide by APHA’s Code of Conduct. 

APHA Meeting and Events Code of Conduct
The APHA convenes events and meetings that are welcoming, respectful, inclusive and collaborative. This Code of Conduct applies to all APHA-sponsored events as well as affiliated events connected with an APHA meeting or event, whether in public or private facility. All individuals at the meeting including attendees, speakers, facilitators, guests, staff, contractors and volunteers will adhere to the following:

Expected Behavior

  • Adhere to APHA's General Code of Conduct, whether a member or non-member.
  • Treat everyone with respect.
  • Be respectful in discussing and debating ideas.
  • Follow the rules and policies of the venue and/or platform. Note that the meeting venues do not allow flyers to be posted on any walls or handouts to be distributed directly outside of meeting rooms or exhibit halls.
  • Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
  • Take reasonable precautions while at the event to prevent the spread of illness including, for example, staying up to date with recommended vaccinations, wearing a mask, minimizing face touching and frequently washing hands.
  • Do not attend in-person if you are ill or had recent exposure to a communicable illness such as COVID-19.

Unacceptable Behavior

  • Promoting or participating in harassment, bullying, discrimination, or intimidation on-site, online, and/or on social media.
  • Sharing or republishing slides, unpublished data, or presentation materials without explicit written permission from the presenter.
  • Engaging in stalking or unwelcome or surreptitious photography, screenshots, or recording of individuals.
  • Disrupting the event (e.g., sustained or disrespectful disruption of presentations or “Zoom-bombing” of digital events) or
  • Engaging in harm or threats of harm of any kind.
  • Making audio or visual recordings of the in-person or digital event in any medium
  • Distributing audio or visual recordings of the digital event (via social media or any other means).

Consequences and Reporting Unacceptable behavior

If at any time you feel that this code has been violated or that you are you are being harassed, contact an APHA staff member immediately or email: [email protected]. In addition, a member may confidentially report a violation by another APHA member of the APHA Code of Conduct by completing this form.


For perceived violations that occur during the Annual Meeting, individuals may also contact HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Filing a complaint with APHA is not required before filing a complaint with HHS OCR and seeking assistance from the APHA in no way prohibits filing complaints with HHS OCR. File a complaint with the HHS OCR or learn more. Individuals can also notify the National Institute of Health (NIH) about concerns of harassment using the NIH Anti-Harassment Portal.


Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. After participants comply, they may raise any questions or concerns to an event contact. APHA officials, including the Board or its designees, may take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal of participants from the in-person or digital event. APHA reserves the right (1) to issue verbal or written warnings; (2) to revoke a participant’s access to APHA’s Annual Meeting without a refund; (3) to report illegal activity to local authorities, and (4) seek injunctive relief and/or monetary damages. APHA reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any further event, digital or in-person of any person who violates APHA’s policies.

Healthy Environment

APHA meetings are designed to provide healthy food choices, to offer a smoke-free, drug-free and weapons-free meeting environment, to encourage physical activity and to make our meeting more sustainable by reducing waste and promoting recycling whenever possible.

 Assumption of Risk and Release Waiver

By registering for an APHA inperson event, I acknowledge that I will be voluntarily participating in a conference expected to have attendees who will come to the event from many different locations across the U.S and abroad. I agree that travel and gathering involves risk of sickness, including sickness from COVID-19, influenza and other communicable illnesses. I (and on behalf of my guest(s)) release APHA and its sponsors and exhibitors, and their employees and agents, from and against claims, liabilities and expenses arising from injury, sickness or death from contraction or spread of illness, including COVID-19 or other communicable disease, due to travel to or attendance at this event.

I recognize that there may be risks involved in participating in physical activities held during the an event. I understand that it is my responsibility to modify movements to fit my limitations and level of conditioning and that APHA is not responsible for injuries that occur during these activities. 


I understand that the opinions, statements, presentations, data, images, videos, documents and other information expressed or otherwise shared by presenters or other participants at the Annual Meeting are for informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by presenters and other participants are not those of APHA, unless expressly indicated otherwise.

Privacy Waiver: Your data privacy and security are important to us. When you register for this event, APHA will process your data in accordance with our legitimate interests for hosting an industry event and for being a community-based organization. Please review our organizational privacy policy.


I consent to receive promotional content from exhibitors and sponsors through APHA’s marketing platforms. Exhibitors and sponsors do not receive registration lists with personal data. There is an option to unsubscribe from these messages if you begin to receive them.

Media Waiver: I am aware that APHA staff or news media may photograph or record an event or session. I consent to being recorded during and in connection with the Annual Meeting and consent to the use or publication of such recordings, or my likeness therein, in connection with any promotional, educational or professional purposes. I understand that only APHA’s authorized vendors and credentialed working journalists who are registered with APHA’s Press Office are permitted to video and/or audio-record scientific sessions.

Waiver of Lawsuit/Liability: I agree to expressly release APHA and its Executive Board and Governing Council members, directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively and individually the “APHA Parties”) from any and all liability in connection with APHA’s Annual Meeting. APHA shall not be responsible for any defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of participants. I voluntarily and freely assume all risks and dangers that may occur pursuant to my attendance at the Annual Meeting, including the risk of injury, death, or property damage, even if caused by the negligence of the APHA Parties.

I AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD THE APHA PARTIES HARMLESS FROM ANY AND ALL LOSS, LIABILITY, CLAIM, OR DEMAND, INCLUDING ACTUAL ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS, MADE BY OR ARISING OUT OF YOUR VIOLATION OF ANY OF THESE POLICIES, YOUR USE OF APHA’S ONLINE PLATFORMS AND/OR YOUR VIOLATION OF ANY RIGHTS OF ANOTHER.