Attendee, Sponsor & Host Code of Conduct

Purpose

TBNE is committed to providing welcoming, professional and productive networking events where businesses can build genuine relationships in a respectful and supportive environment.

This Code of Conduct applies to all attendees, sponsors, volunteers and meeting hosts. By booking or attending a TBNE networking meeting, you agree to comply with this policy.

1. Booking

Attendees

All attendees must book their place through the official Eventbrite booking page unless otherwise advised by TBNE.

Sponsors

Sponsors are responsible for booking their allocated meeting dates using the sponsor booking spreadsheet provided by TBNE.

2. Meeting Information

Meeting details, updates, cancellations or changes may be communicated via:

• Email
• WhatsApp
• Facebook

If you transfer your booking to another meeting, it is your responsibility to check that the meeting is still taking place before attending.

3. Ticket Transfers & Refunds

Tickets are non-refundable.

If you are unable to attend a booked meeting, please notify TBNE as soon as possible. Where practical and subject to availability, your booking may be transferred to a future networking meeting.

Any refunds relating to products or services supplied by individual businesses remain the responsibility of those businesses and are governed by applicable UK consumer protection legislation.

4. Arrival

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the advertised start time.

Arriving early allows time for registration, informal networking and ensures meetings can begin promptly.

5. Professional Conduct

TBNE aims to provide a friendly, respectful and professional environment for everyone.

All attendees, sponsors, hosts and volunteers are expected to:

• Treat everyone with courtesy and respect.
• Be inclusive and welcoming.
• Listen respectfully to others.
• Allow everyone the opportunity to participate.
• Follow any reasonable instructions given by the meeting organiser or host.
• Help create a positive networking environment.

The following behaviour is not acceptable:

• Arguments or confrontational behaviour.
• Aggressive, abusive or threatening language.
• Harassment, bullying or discrimination of any kind.
• Disrupting the meeting or preventing others from participating.
• Challenging or arguing with event hosts, organisers or volunteers during the meeting.
• Any behaviour that could damage the reputation of TBNE or negatively affect the experience of other attendees.

Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in a warning, removal from the meeting without refund, suspension from future events, or termination of sponsorship at the discretion of TBNE.

6. Meeting Hosts & Volunteers

Some TBNE networking meetings are organised or hosted by sponsors or volunteers on behalf of TBNE.

Hosts and volunteers are expected to:

• Deliver meetings in a professional and welcoming manner.
• Treat all attendees fairly and respectfully.
• Follow TBNE’s meeting format and standards where applicable.
• Raise any significant issues or incidents with TBNE as soon as reasonably possible.

7. Business Standards

TBNE expects all businesses represented at its events to operate professionally, honestly and in accordance with all applicable UK laws and regulations, including consumer protection and Trading Standards requirements.

Businesses remain solely responsible for the products and services they provide, the claims they make and any contractual arrangements they enter into with customers or other members.

TBNE accepts no responsibility for agreements entered into between attendees.

8. Sales & Networking Etiquette

TBNE networking meetings are designed to encourage genuine business relationships rather than high-pressure sales.

Sponsors and visitors are welcome to promote their businesses, products and services during the appropriate parts of each meeting. However, networking should always be conducted professionally and respectfully.

The following behaviour is not acceptable:

• Aggressive or persistent selling.
• Pressuring attendees into making purchases or commitments.
• Repeatedly approaching someone who has declined an offer or expressed no interest.
• Monopolising conversations or preventing others from networking.
• Recruiting attendees into business opportunities, franchises, investment schemes or multi-level marketing (MLM) organisations in a persistent, misleading or pressurised manner.
• Using attendee contact details for unsolicited marketing where this would breach applicable data protection or electronic marketing legislation.
• Promoting, advertising or actively recruiting attendees for other paid business networking groups, clubs or meetings is not permitted at TBNE meetings or within TBNE online groups and communication channels. This includes distributing promotional material, posting links or invitations, or directly approaching TBNE attendees for the purpose of encouraging them to join or attend another paid networking organisation.

Attendees should always respect another person’s decision if they are not interested in a product, service or business opportunity.

9. Photography & Social Media

Photographs and videos may occasionally be taken during TBNE networking events for use on the TBNE website, social media channels and other promotional materials.

If you would prefer not to appear in photographs or videos, please notify the organiser on arrival. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate your request.

Attendees are asked to be respectful when taking photographs or sharing content on social media and should avoid publishing images of individuals who have requested not to be photographed.

10. Communications

TBNE may use your email address and telephone number to communicate with you regarding:

• Upcoming networking meetings.
• Booking confirmations.
• Event reminders.
• Important updates or changes to meetings.
• Other relevant TBNE news and opportunities.

If you no longer wish to receive marketing communications, you may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in emails or by contacting TBNE directly.

11. Changes to This Policy

TBNE reserves the right to amend this Code of Conduct from time to time. The latest version will always be available on the TBNE website.

By attending a TBNE networking meeting, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to comply with this Code of Conduct.