By registering for the American Public Health Association (“APHA”) 2024 Annual Meeting, you acknowledge that you have read the Code of Conduct below and agree to comply with all policies.
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
Unacceptable Behavior
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: annualmeeting@apha.org. 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
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.
APHA Annual Meeting Assumption of Risk and Release Waiver
By registering for and attending the APHA Annual Meeting and related events, I acknowledge that I will be voluntarily participating in a multi-day conference expected to have over 6,000 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 Annual Meeting, such as the wellness center. 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.
YOU 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.
Registration Policies
Children Under 16: Supervised children 16 and younger are welcome to attend the meeting for free and are welcome in all areas of the Annual Meeting during open times. However, with regard to scientific sessions, if children begin to make noise, it is critical that parents remove them from the room immediately so as not to disturb the session. Children are not permitted in the Expo Hall during set-up and tear down.
Spouses/Parents: Presenters are allowed to have one significant other or parent attend their session for $30. This can be added during the registration process. If you would like your spouse, partner or parent to accompany you to multiple sessions and events, they must be registered for the full Annual Meeting.
Cancellation Policies
Notice of registration cancellation must be received in writing by APHA no later than Sept. 29, 2024. No refunds will be processed after that date. Email your written cancellation to apharegistration@spargoinc.com.
In-Person Attendees
Digital Meeting Attendees
I understand that participation in APHA's 2024 Annual Meeting s entirely voluntary and requires attendees to comply with any applicable rules of conduct or federal, state, or local laws in effect at the time of the Annual Meeting. In addition to all other rules and regulations relating to my attendance at the Annual Meeting, I agree to comply with all COVID-related protocols and procedures that may be implemented by APHA, the city of Atlanta, and The Atlanta Convention and Exhibition Center, including, but not limited to, mask-wearing and physical distancing requirements and restrictions on certain activities that carry higher COVID-related risk, in order to protect as much as possible, the health and safety of all affected persons, including meeting attendees.
Assumption of risk. I understand and acknowledge that I risk exposure to and contraction of potentially dangerous diseases and viruses, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and any other diseases or viruses not listed, by attending the Annual Meeting in person. I acknowledge that APHA makes no representations that it has taken any safety precautions that relate to infectious diseases or exposure, and even if APHA did proactively take preventative measures, APHA has made no representation that those measures will in any way reduce or prevent the risks associated with exposure.
I understand and acknowledge the risks associated with diseases and viruses, and I am fully aware that exposure may result in infection, severe illness, injury, pain and suffering, temporary or permanent disability, and even death. I understand that my attendance and actions may not be supervised and that APHA does not provide medical services. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at the Annual Meeting may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of others who may attend the Annual Meeting or their families, colleagues, or others with whom they may have contact. Accordingly, I understand and agree that this release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of APHA and its Executive Board and Governing Council members, directors, officers, employees, or agents from any and all liability in connection with the Annual Meeting.
I further acknowledge that any exposure I may sustain while at the Annual Meeting may be compounded by negligent or delayed medical service or negligent or delayed assistance by APHA. I understand that, even if APHA has taken any proactive measures to reduce potential exposure, there is still high risk of exposure and APHA has not in any way represented that there is no exposure risk due to its proactive measures. I VOLUNTARILY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL RISKS AND DANGERS THAT MAY OCCUR PURSUANT TO MY ATTENDANCE OR PARTICIPATION IN THE ANNUAL MEETING AND PARTICPATION IN ACTIVITIES AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, INCLUDING THE RISK OF INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, EVEN IF CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OF APHA.
I hereby agree, on behalf of myself, my heirs and my personal representatives, to fully and forever discharge and release APHA and its affiliates, and its respective partners, agents, operators, managers, employees, and representatives ("APHA Parties") from any and all claims I may have or hereinafter have for any injury, temporary or permanent disability, death, damages, liabilities, expenses and/or causes of action, now known or hereinafter known in any jurisdiction in the world, attributable or relating in any manner to my attendance at or participation in the Annual Meeting and participation in any activities at the Annual Meeting, whether caused by the negligence of the APHA or any of the APHA Parties or by any other reason. I acknowledge and agree that this Liability Waiver and Release is intended to be, and is, a complete release, as much as allowed by law, of any responsibility of the APHA Parties for all personal injuries, temporary or permanent disability, death, and/or property damage sustained by me while attending the Annual Meeting or participating in any activities of the Annual Meeting.
Covenant Not to Sue. I agree, for myself and all my heirs, not to sue the APHA Parties or initiate or assist in the prosecution of any claim for damages or cause of action against the APHA Parties which I or my heirs may have as a result of any personal injury, death or property damage I may sustain while at the Annual Meeting or while participating in any activities of the Annual Meeting.
Indemnification. I hereby agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless APHA and the APHA Parties from and against any third-party losses, damages, actions, suits, claims, judgments, settlements, awards, interest, penalties, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and costs of any kind for any infection, illness, personal injury, loss of life or damage to property sustained by reason of or arising out of my attendance of the Annual Meeting or participation in any activities of the Annual Meeting.
This Release and Waiver of Liability agreement will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. I agree that any action arising out of this Release and Waiver of Liability Agreement must be brought exclusively in any court located in the District of Columbia.
APHA reserves the right to modify these policies and will update attendees if the polies are modified.
By completion and submission of the meeting registration form, I certify that I have read and fully understand this Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk agreement and understand that it affects my legal rights. I agree and acknowledge that this waiver and release (1) shall be binding on me, my heirs, family, estate, representatives, and assigns and (2) is intended to be as broad as permitted under applicable law, and each waiver or provision herein is severable and shall apply notwithstanding the invalidation of any other provision herein.
APHA is requiring all in-person attendees to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination against the SARS-Cov-2 virus as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Up to date is defined as a completed full primary series (two shots of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccine or one shot of the Johnson and Johnson product; or a comparably approved vaccine if you are an international attendee) plus at least one booster. We remind you that it can take up to six weeks to complete the full schedule for COVID vaccines that require two doses to achieve full efficacy. You will be required to show proof of vaccination during event check-in. By registering for the event, you agree to be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus by October 20. Guests who are unable to show proof of vaccination will not be allowed to enter the event.