Code of Conduct

Our commitment

OpsMastery Summit exists so the people who keep software running can learn from each other. That only works if everyone can take part fully and feel safe doing it. We're committed to a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of:

• gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation
• disability, physical appearance, or body size
• race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion (or lack of one)
• age, level of experience, the company you work for, or the tools you use

This Code of Conduct applies to everyone: attendees, speakers, sponsors and their staff, volunteers, organizers, and venue and vendor staff. It covers every OpsMastery Summit space, including:

• the workshops, sessions, hallways, expo area, and meals
• official social events and after-parties
• our online spaces: event chat, social media using event tags, and our email lists
• your interactions with other participants in connection with the event, even outside official spaces

What we expect

• Be respectful and considerate. Disagree with ideas, not people. Critique the system, not the person: the same principle behind a blameless postmortem.
• Make room for others. Let people finish their thoughts, invite quieter voices in, and welcome newcomers. Everyone was new to on-call once.
• Respect boundaries. If someone says no, walks away, or seems uncomfortable, stop. Ask before you take someone's photo, share their slides, or hug them.
• Look out for each other. If you see something that seems wrong, check in with the person affected or tell a member of the Conduct Team.
• Follow the instructions of organizers, volunteers, and venue staff, especially about safety.

What isn't acceptable

Harassment and other exclusionary behavior aren't tolerated in any form. This includes:

• Offensive or demeaning comments related to any of the characteristics listed above
• Sexual language or imagery in talks, slides, booths, swag, online posts, or conversation
• Unwelcome sexual attention, including unwelcome physical contact
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following someone
• Harassing photography or recording, including photographing anyone who is wearing a no-photo lanyard or sticker
• Sustained disruption of talks, workshops, or other events
• Doxxing, or sharing someone's private information or conversations without their consent
• Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern or helps with an investigation
• Encouraging or advocating for any of the above

“It was a joke” and “I didn't mean it that way” don't make harmful behavior acceptable. Impact matters more than intent.

Speakers

• Talks should be free of sexualized imagery and of offensive or discriminatory content.
• If your talk covers potentially difficult subject matter, such as a traumatic incident or outage, say so at the start and give people the chance to step out.
• We're looking for practitioner content, not sales pitches. Promotional talks may be cut short.

Sponsors and exhibitors

• Booths, demos, swag, and marketing materials must follow this Code. No sexualized attire, costumes, or imagery.
• Scan a badge only with the attendee's permission, and respect a “no, thanks.”
• Sponsor staff are responsible for their own behavior, including at sponsor-hosted events connected to the conference.

Photography and recording

Sessions are recorded, and we take photos in public areas. Attendees who don't want to be photographed can pick up a no-photo lanyard or sticker at registration. Everyone must respect that choice. Don't photograph or record anyone who's wearing one, and don't post photos where they're identifiable.

Alcohol

Some social events may serve alcohol. Being impaired doesn't excuse behavior that breaks this Code. Non-alcoholic options will always be available, and no one should be pressured to drink.

How to report

If you experience or witness behavior that breaks this Code, or anything else that makes you feel unsafe, please tell us. You can report anonymously, and you can report something that happened to someone else. There's no such thing as a report that's “too small.”

• At the event: find any organizer or volunteer (look for the staff badge), or go to the registration desk.
• Phone or text during the event: the Conduct Team's number will be shared at registration and printed on your badge.
• Email, anytime: conduct@opsmasterysummit.com. This reaches the Conduct Team only.
• In an emergency, or if you're in immediate danger: call 911 first, then let us know.

If a Conduct Team member is involved in your report, tell a different organizer. That person will be excluded from handling it.

What happens after you report

1. We listen. A member of the Conduct Team will take your report. Where possible, we'll do this in a private space, and you're welcome to bring a friend. We'll ask what happened, when, and who was involved, and we'll write it down.
2. We help you feel safe. We can help you contact venue security or local law enforcement, arrange an escort, connect you with local resources, or help you otherwise feel safe for the rest of the event.
3. We act promptly. The Conduct Team will review the report and decide on a response. Normally this happens the same day during the event, or within 7 days for reports made at other times.
4. We follow up. We'll let you know what we've done. We'll never share your identity with the person you reported without your consent, except where the law requires it.

Reports are kept confidential and shared only with the people who need to know to handle them.

Consequences

If someone breaks this Code, organizers may take any action they believe is appropriate. This includes:

• a warning
• removing a talk from the program or ending it early
• closing a sponsor booth
• asking the person to leave the event without a refund
• banning them from future OpsMastery events

Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to stop immediately. Where appropriate, we'll also involve venue security or law enforcement.

Local resources

Once the venue is confirmed, we'll list venue security, non-emergency police, the nearest urgent care, and the rideshare pickup point here and in the event program. Any time you need them: emergency 911 · 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988.

Questions

Questions about this Code, or ideas for making the event more welcoming and accessible? Email conduct@opsmasterysummit.com.

Last updated: September 30, 2026