Policies | Society For Biomaterials 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition

Code of Conduct

Volunteer/National Meeting Attendee Conduct Policy

It is the policy of the Society for Biomaterials (SFB) that all individuals are entitled to respectful treatment. SFB affirms its obligation and commitment to foster and support a professional environment in which to carry out our mission, recognizing that failure to meet this obligation and commitment harms our profession, our professional credibility, the well-being of individuals, and the broader communities in which we live and work. Accordingly, and to foster a positive environment, the SFB Board of Directors has issued this Conduct Policy.

This policy applies to all attendees at Society activities, including scientists, students, guests, staff, contractors, and exhibitors, participating in the scientific sessions, tours, and social events of any SFB meeting or other activity. By obtaining SFB membership, registering to present or attend SFB meetings, members and participants commit to maintaining respectful and ethical relationships in accordance with this policy.

Expected Behavior at SFB Meetings and Events

Treat all participants, attendees, SFB staff, and vendors with respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.
Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative.
Communicate openly with respect for others, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.
Avoid any personal attacks directed toward other attendees, participants, SFB staff, and suppliers/vendors.
Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert SFB staff if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
Respect the rules and policies of the meeting venue, hotels, SFB contracted facility, or any other venue.

Unacceptable Behavior at SFB Meetings and Events

Harassment (including sexual harassment), bullying, or discrimination in any form will not be tolerated including, deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact; unwelcome sexual attention; or advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Physical or verbal abuse or harassment of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest, also will not be tolerated.

Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, or socioeconomic class; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations; or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, SFB staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.

This conduct policy establishes guidelines for appropriate behavior for SFB members and issues a call for continuing awareness and education. Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. The Society will not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual assault of SFB Meeting participants (including, but not limited to attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff members, service providers, or other meeting guests) in any form. SFB is not an adjudicating body; however, SFB reserves the right to remove an individual violating this policy from the Annual Meeting without warning or refund, and prohibit attendance at future SFB meetings, programs, and/or activities.

We gratefully acknowledge American Anthropological Association for the content for this policy.

Registration Cancellation

To cancel your meeting registration and receive a refund, a written request must be received by March 6, 2026. Cancellations can be made by contacting the Society For Biomaterials Headquarters at info@biomaterials.org. Cancellation requests received by this date will receive a refund (less a $75 processing fee). Requests will be processed upon notification. All requests received after March 6, 2026, will forfeit 100 percent of monies paid.

Children at the SFB Annual Meeting

The SFB Annual Meeting is a professional, scientific meeting. SFB does not permit anyone under the age of 18 years to attend any of the scientific program, poster sessions, exhibit hall hours and social events. For safety reasons, only registered exhibitors are permitted in the exposition hall during set-up and take-down hours. Anyone 18 years of age or older must register and buy applicable individual tickets if not attending/registering as a student.

Event Photo/Video Waiver by Registering for the Annual Meeting

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I grant to the Society For Biomaterials and those acting under its permission or authority (collectively, “SFB”), the irrevocable royalty-free right and permission to record, copy, publicly display, publicly perform, publish, modify, use and reuse my voice, image, photograph, portrait, likeness, and biographical information, including portions, composites, likenesses or distortions or alterations of same (“Likeness”), made during or in connection with my attendance of this SFB Annual Meeting, for use in any Materials to be shown in all media now known or hereafter devised, for an unlimited term. I acknowledge that all such Materials are the property of SFB as a work made for hire (or, if not, then I assign all of my rights in and to the Materials to SFB), and that I will not receive any compensation as a result of any use of my Likeness in such Materials. I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished Materials, and release, waive and agree not to make any claim against SFB in connection with any use of the Likeness, including, without limitation, any claim that such use invades any right of privacy, publicity and/or personality, defamation, libel, moral right, and any other personal and/or property right under the law of any country or jurisdiction. This agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the parties’ respective successors, licensees, assigns, heirs and personal representatives, and cannot be amended except by written agreement.

Health & Safety

In accordance with the Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to expire the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19, SFB will not require a specific vaccination status for attendees of the 2026 Annual Meeting, and masks will be optional. Masks are encouraged for those in recent close contact with someone with COVID-19. Attendees who are experiencing symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to forego the meeting.

SFB reserves the right to modify this policy if the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency status changes at any time.