Code of Conduct

The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) is committed to maintaining an environment in which all its staff, corporate members, minority business enterprises (MBEs), subscribers, customers, and leaders are treated fairly and with respect and dignity. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, NMSDC staff members, service providers, and all others are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct. This code applies to participation in all NMSDC meeting-related events, including those sponsored by organizations other than NMSDC but held in conjunction with NMSDC events, as well as participation in NMSDC Connections and networking events.

NMSDC prohibits discrimination and harassment based on an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, family responsibilities, physical appearance, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Any form of harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment, or any form of discrimination is absolutely prohibited during participation with NMSDC, including but not limited to programming and networking events and on NMSDC Connections and other community platforms.

If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, NMSDC asks that you file a report by completing the NMSDC Grievance Form. Every complaint or concern will be investigated, and any appropriate action will be taken.

Unacceptable Behavior is defined as:

• Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
• Verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, NMSDC staff member, service provider, or other meeting guests.
• Examples of verbal abuse include but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, NMSDC staff member, service provider, or other meeting guests.

NMSDC reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund, or revocation of access to platforms in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and NMSDC reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting, virtually or in person.