MKE DMC Code of Conduct
Established: November 2023 | Updated: April 2026
MKE DMC, Inc. is dedicated to providing a welcoming, safe, and professional experience for everyone in attendance—whether members, first-time visitors, speakers, sponsors, or vendors. We have adopted a Zero Tolerance Policy toward harassment to make our commitment to attendee safety unambiguous. Any violation of this Code of Conduct may result in immediate and permanent removal from all MKE DMC events.
Zero Tolerance Statement
MKE DMC enforces a zero tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. This means that any behavior determined by MKE DMC volunteers or Board members to constitute harassment, as defined below, may result in immediate expulsion from the current event and a permanent ban from all future MKE DMC events, without warning, without refund, and at the sole discretion of MKE DMC leadership.
We do not operate on a “three strikes” system. A single confirmed incident is sufficient grounds for permanent removal. We prioritize the safety and comfort of all attendees over the participation of any individual.
Anti-Harassment Policy
Harassment includes, but is not limited to, verbal comments that are considered degrading to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, or intelligence, and:
- Sexual images in public spaces
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
- Harassing photography or recording
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Inappropriate physical contact, including unwanted touching of any kind
- The threat of physical harm or violence
- Unwelcome sexual attention, including sexually explicit stories, jokes, or comments
- Sharing violent, disturbing, or shock-value content in conversation
- Boundary-testing behavior designed to gauge how far inappropriate conduct will be tolerated
- Gossip or sharing of personal information about other attendees without their consent
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
Exhibitors, sponsors, and vendors are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, exhibitors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material. Booth staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing, uniforms, or costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment.
Under our zero tolerance policy, if a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers may take immediate action up to and including permanent expulsion from the event and all future MKE DMC events, with no refund. MKE DMC leadership retains sole discretion over these decisions.
Event organizers may also take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.
We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can be made during or after the event. We take every report seriously. You can report:
- By text message: 414-484-7838 (monitored continuously during events)
- By speaking to any MKE DMC staff member or Board member on-site
- By email: hello@mkedmc.org
- Anonymously - you are not required to identify yourself
When taking a personal report, our staff will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve other event staff to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we’ll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we’ll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t disclose your identity without your permission.
Our team will be happy to help you contact local law enforcement, local support services, provide escorts, or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance and your safety.
Expulsion
Under the zero tolerance policy, a participant may be permanently expelled at the discretion of any MKE DMC Board member or designated volunteer. The following are examples of conduct that will result in immediate and permanent expulsion:
- Any behavior that constitutes harassment as defined above
- A single serious or obviously intentional offense
- Continuing any behavior after being asked to stop
- A pattern of inappropriate behavior, with or without prior warnings
- Any illegal activity performed on the premises of the hosting venue
Local authorities may be contacted when appropriate. Expelled individuals will be permanently banned from all future MKE DMC events.
Presentations
Presentations or similar events should not be stopped for one-time gaffes or minor problems, although a member of MKE DMC staff will speak to the presenter afterward. MKE DMC staff will take immediate action to politely and calmly stop any presentation or event that repeatedly or seriously violates the anti-harassment policy. Any additional reasoning besides referencing this policy will not be given.
Contact Information
- MKE DMC Email - hello@mkedmc.org
- MKE DMC Phone / Text - 414-484-7838
- Milwaukee Police - 414-935-7212
Closing
MKE DMC was established to be a fun, educational place for anyone interested in digital marketing. Everyone deserves to attend our events without fear of harassment, intimidation, or discomfort. We adopted this zero tolerance policy because the safety of our community is not negotiable. We hope we never have to act on any violation of this policy, but we will do so swiftly and decisively for the sake of the community we’ve built together.