code of conduct

1. Our Commitment

PSBC, the parent organization of Bachatopia and Philly Salsa & Bachata Congress, is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and enjoyable environment where everyone can dance, connect, celebrate music and culture, and have a great experience.

Our events bring together people from different backgrounds, cultures, identities, and experience levels. We encourage everyone to express themselves, meet new people, enjoy the music, and contribute to a positive community.

This Code of Conduct establishes the standards necessary to maintain that environment. It applies to everyone, without exception, at all times during PSBC events and event-related activities, including attendees, dancers, artists, instructors, DJs, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, staff, and guests.

By attending Bachatopia or Philly Salsa & Bachata Congress, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.

2. Respect, Inclusion & Community Standards

Everyone is expected to treat others with respect, dignity, and consideration, regardless of their background, identity, appearance, abilities, dance experience, or personal beliefs.

We encourage friendly interactions, social dancing, meeting new people, and having fun. At the same time, everyone must respect the boundaries, comfort, and safety of others.

The following behaviors are not permitted:

• Harassment, discrimination, bullying, intimidation, or abusive conduct.

• Hate speech, slurs, threats, or demeaning comments directed at others.

• Deliberately disrupting activities or interfering with another person's enjoyment of the event.

• Threatening, aggressive, or abusive behavior toward attendees, staff, volunteers, artists, venue personnel, or anyone else.

• Retaliation against anyone who raises a concern or participates in reporting or investigating misconduct.

These standards apply regardless of whether the conduct occurs in person, online, through messaging platforms, or in connection with an event.

3. Consent, Personal Boundaries & Dance-Floor Safety

Consent and respect are essential to a positive dance community.

Always respect personal boundaries, both on and off the dance floor.

• Ask before initiating a dance or physical interaction, and respect the other person's answer.

• A refusal is final. No one owes anyone a dance, explanation, conversation, or physical contact.

• Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Agreeing to dance or engage in one interaction does not imply consent to another.

• Unwanted touching, sexual advances, persistent romantic or sexual attention after someone has declined, and other unwanted physical contact are prohibited.

• Do not follow, corner, intimidate, or repeatedly approach someone who has asked to be left alone.

• Dance safely and be mindful of the people around you. Avoid reckless, aggressive, or uncontrolled movements that could injure another person or create an unreasonable safety risk.

• Respect the space of other dancers and avoid deliberately disrupting dances or activities.

Flirting, socializing, and expressing yourself are welcome when done respectfully. The expectation is not that everyone interact in the same way, but that everyone respects another person's right to establish and maintain their own boundaries.

4. Harassment, Discrimination & Misconduct

PSBC does not tolerate harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, intimidation, physical assault, or other abusive behavior.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Unwanted sexual advances, sexual comments, or inappropriate touching.

• Physical violence, threats of violence, or deliberate intimidation.

• Stalking or repeatedly pursuing someone after being asked to stop.

• Harassment based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, physical appearance, body size, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• Deliberately humiliating, threatening, or targeting another person.

• Recording or photographing someone in a manner that constitutes harassment or violates applicable law or these event policies.

• Retaliation against someone who reports misconduct in good faith.

This policy applies to everyone, including artists, instructors, performers, sponsors, volunteers, staff, and other individuals associated with PSBC. No one's position, status, popularity, or contribution to an event exempts them from these standards.

A report does not have to establish that a crime occurred for PSBC to address conduct that violates this Code of Conduct.

Reports of sexual assault or other serious sexual misconduct will be treated as a priority and addressed promptly. PSBC may take immediate protective measures while assessing a report, regardless of whether law enforcement has been contacted or a formal investigation has begun. Reporting an incident does not, by itself, establish that a violation occurred; however, PSBC does not need to wait for a criminal investigation or legal determination before taking reasonable action to protect attendees.

5. Reporting Concerns & Requesting Assistance

If you experience or witness behavior that violates this Code of Conduct, please notify an event staff member as soon as reasonably possible.

You do not need to confront the person involved before making a report.

When reporting an incident, share whatever information you feel comfortable providing, including what happened, where it occurred, and whether there are any immediate safety concerns.

PSBC will take reports seriously and will make reasonable efforts to respond promptly, fairly, and discreetly. Depending on the circumstances, this may include speaking with the individuals involved, reviewing available information, consulting venue security, restricting access to activities, or taking other appropriate action.

Information will be handled as discreetly as reasonably possible and shared when necessary to assess a report, protect safety, take appropriate action, or comply with legal obligations. Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

Retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith or participates in an investigation is prohibited.

Knowingly making a false report or deliberately providing false information may itself violate this Code of Conduct. However, a report that cannot be substantiated does not, by itself, establish that it was knowingly false.

If there is an immediate threat to someone's safety or a medical emergency, contact venue security or emergency services as appropriate. Notifying PSBC does not replace contacting emergency services when they are needed.

Reports involving sexual assault, sexual misconduct, or an immediate safety concern may require urgent protective action, including separating the individuals involved, restricting event access, or removing an individual from the event. PSBC will assess the circumstances and take action it reasonably considers necessary to protect attendee safety. Whenever reasonably possible, PSBC will explain the available reporting options and offer assistance to the person reporting the incident.

6. Enforcement & Consequences

PSBC reserves the right to address violations of this Code of Conduct and take reasonable measures to protect attendees, staff, event operations, and the venue.

Depending on the nature, severity, circumstances, and frequency of the conduct, consequences may include:

1. A verbal or written warning.

2. Removal from a particular activity or restricted area.

3. Temporary suspension of event privileges.

4. Revocation of an event pass or ticket and removal from the event without a refund.

5. Exclusion from future Bachatopia, Philly Salsa & Bachata Congress, or other PSBC events.

6. Notification of venue security, law enforcement, or other appropriate authorities when warranted.

PSBC is not required to issue a warning or follow these steps in a particular order. Serious misconduct, credible threats, violence, sexual misconduct, or behavior presenting an immediate safety risk may result in immediate removal and other appropriate action.

PSBC also reserves the right to deny admission or remove an individual when reasonably necessary for safety, security, compliance with venue requirements, or the orderly operation of an event, subject to applicable law.

Failure to follow reasonable and lawful instructions from event organizers, staff, security, or venue personnel may result in disciplinary action.

PSBC's decisions will be made based on the circumstances and available information. Nothing in this policy prevents an individual from contacting law enforcement or exercising any rights available under applicable law.

Zero Tolerance for Sexual Assault

PSBC maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault and other serious sexual misconduct. Such conduct is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate removal from the event without a refund, exclusion from future PSBC events, and notification of law enforcement when appropriate.

Any report of sexual assault will be treated seriously and addressed promptly. PSBC reserves the right to take immediate protective measures, including separating the individuals involved, restricting event access, and removing one or both individuals when reasonably necessary to protect attendee safety.

PSBC will consider the circumstances and available information when determining appropriate action. A report will not be disregarded merely because the reporting individual cannot independently substantiate every detail.

Making a report does not, by itself, warrant the reporting individual's removal from the event. Either or both individuals may be removed when warranted by the circumstances, applicable safety concerns, or their own conduct.

PSBC prioritizes attendee safety and reserves the right to take protective action without waiting for a criminal investigation or legal determination. When appropriate, PSBC may assist individuals in contacting venue security or law enforcement.

7. Minors & Age-Restricted Activities

Minors may attend PSBC events only in accordance with the event's age restrictions and applicable venue requirements. Any minor permitted to attend must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who is responsible for the minor's supervision and conduct.

Parents and legal guardians must ensure that minors comply with this Code of Conduct and do not enter activities or areas restricted by age or law.

PSBC reserves the right to require appropriate proof of age or parental or guardian authorization, restrict access to age-inappropriate activities, or deny admission when applicable requirements are not met.

Minors may not purchase, possess, or consume alcohol where prohibited by law. Providing alcohol to a minor in violation of applicable law is prohibited.

The presence of a parent or guardian does not override age restrictions, venue rules, or other applicable legal requirements. Any required consent forms or additional conditions of admission must also be satisfied.

8. Alcohol, Drugs & Intoxication

PSBC events may include alcohol service or other activities where alcohol is available. Attendees must comply with applicable laws, venue policies, and any restrictions established by event organizers.

Attendees are expected to consume alcohol responsibly and behave in a manner that does not compromise their own safety or the safety, comfort, or enjoyment of others.

The following are prohibited:

• Providing or serving alcohol to anyone under the legally permitted age.

• Illegal possession, use, sale, or distribution of controlled substances.

• Disruptive intoxication, aggressive behavior, or conduct that creates a safety risk.

• Pressuring or coercing another person to consume alcohol or other substances.

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

PSBC may refuse service where applicable, restrict an individual's participation, or remove anyone whose intoxication or conduct creates a safety concern or disrupts the event.

Venue alcohol-service rules and applicable laws must always be followed.

9. Photography, Video, Audio & Media

Bachatopia and Philly Salsa & Bachata Congress are public-facing events where photography, video recording, and other media capture may occur.

By attending, you acknowledge that photography and recording may take place in event areas and that you may appear incidentally in event-related media.

PSBC may arrange for event photography, video, audio recording, livestreaming, or other media capture for promotional, archival, educational, editorial, or other disclosed purposes.

Attendees may also take reasonable photographs and recordings in areas where recording is permitted, subject to applicable law, venue requirements, activity-specific restrictions, and the following standards:

• Do not record in restrooms, changing areas, or other private or sensitive spaces where recording is prohibited or a reasonable expectation of privacy exists.

• Do not record in a manner that harasses, intimidates, endangers, or deliberately targets another person.

• Respect restrictions imposed by PSBC, performers, instructors, or the venue for particular performances, workshops, competitions, or other activities.

• Do not obstruct performances, workshops, emergency access, or other event operations while recording.

• Do not use recording devices in ways that violate applicable law or another person's legally protected rights.

Attendance at a public-facing event does not, by itself, authorize every possible use of a person's likeness or recording. Any separate media release, consent requirement, or restriction applicable to a particular activity remains in effect.

Where PSBC uses identifiable attendee images or recordings for promotional or commercial purposes, the applicable media authorization and registration terms will govern such use.

Attendees who have concerns about being photographed or recorded by PSBC's authorized media personnel should speak with an event staff member. PSBC will address such concerns in accordance with its applicable media policy and legal obligations.

10. Weapons, Smoking, Vaping & Prohibited Items

Weapons and other prohibited items are subject to applicable law and venue policies. Items prohibited by law, venue rules, or event-specific safety restrictions may not be brought into event spaces.

Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all areas where they are prohibited by law or venue policy. Attendees must use designated smoking areas where available and must not obstruct entrances or expose others to prohibited smoking or vaping.

PSBC reserves the right to enforce venue restrictions, deny entry where permitted, and involve venue security or law enforcement when appropriate.

11. Venue Conduct, Restricted Areas & Property

Attendees must respect the venue, its property, other guests, and the staff responsible for maintaining a safe environment.

The following rules apply throughout event spaces and other areas subject to PSBC's event arrangements:

• Follow posted signs, capacity restrictions, and reasonable instructions from event organizers, staff, security, and venue personnel.

• Do not enter restricted, staff-only, backstage, or otherwise unauthorized areas.

• Do not cross barriers, enter closed rooms, or access restricted equipment or facilities without authorization.

• Do not damage, deface, remove, or misuse venue or event property.

• Do not attach signs, flyers, banners, decorations, or other materials to venue property without prior approval.

• Maintain reasonable noise levels and avoid conduct that disrupts event activities or other venue guests.

• Do not engage in fighting, dangerous horseplay, threatening behavior, or other disorderly conduct.

• Use designated facilities appropriately and do not obstruct hallways, emergency exits, entrances, or access routes.

Attendees must comply with applicable venue rules, including rules governing guest rooms, elevators, common areas, smoking, alcohol, and other facilities.

Individuals may be held responsible, to the extent permitted by law, for damage or loss caused by their conduct. PSBC may refer property-damage concerns to the venue or appropriate authorities.

12. Vendors, Merchandise, Solicitation & Advertising

Commercial activity at PSBC events must be authorized by the event organizers and comply with venue requirements.

Only approved vendors may sell merchandise, products, or services in designated areas or through other arrangements expressly authorized by PSBC.

Unauthorized sales, solicitation, commercial workshops, promotional activities, or distribution of advertising materials are prohibited in event spaces.

Flyers, banners, signage, and other promotional materials require prior approval from PSBC. Attendees must not place or attach materials to venue property or event signage without authorization.

PSBC reserves the right to remove unauthorized materials, stop unauthorized commercial activity, and take appropriate action when these rules are violated.

13. Tickets, Passes & Admission

Event tickets, passes, badges, and other admission credentials are subject to the applicable registration terms and event policies.

Attendees must use their own valid admission credentials and present them when reasonably requested by authorized event personnel.

Fraudulent credentials, unauthorized transfers, deliberate misuse of admission privileges, or attempts to access restricted activities without authorization may result in denial of admission, removal, or other appropriate action.

PSBC reserves the right to enforce applicable ticketing terms, including published refund and cancellation policies. Any refund entitlement will be determined in accordance with those terms and applicable law.

Questions or concerns regarding payments should be directed to PSBC through its designated customer-service channels.

14. Personal Responsibility & Legal Compliance

All attendees are expected to act responsibly, exercise reasonable care, and comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Each attendee is responsible for their own conduct and for making reasonable decisions concerning their personal safety, belongings, interactions, and participation in event activities.

PSBC encourages attendees to communicate respectfully, look out for one another, and seek assistance when needed.

To the extent permitted by law, attendees may be responsible for loss or damage resulting from their own conduct. Nothing in this Code of Conduct is intended to waive, exclude, or limit any legal right or obligation that cannot lawfully be waived, excluded, or limited.

This Code of Conduct does not replace any separate waiver, release, registration agreement, ticketing term, or media authorization that may apply to an attendee.

15. Administration & Policy Updates

PSBC reserves the right to interpret, administer, and reasonably update this Code of Conduct as necessary to address safety concerns, operational requirements, venue rules, or changes in applicable law.

Updates may be published through official PSBC communication channels or otherwise communicated to attendees as appropriate.

Attendees are expected to comply with the version applicable to their participation and with reasonable event-specific instructions communicated by authorized personnel.

If any provision of this Code of Conduct is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect to the extent permitted by law.

16. Attendee Acknowledgment

By registering for, purchasing admission to, or attending Bachatopia or Philly Salsa & Bachata Congress, you acknowledge that you are expected to comply with this Code of Conduct and any applicable event and venue rules.

You understand that violations may result in warnings, restrictions, removal without a refund where permitted, or exclusion from future PSBC events, depending on the circumstances.

You agree to conduct yourself respectfully, respect the boundaries and safety of others, and cooperate with reasonable and lawful instructions from event organizers and venue personnel.

Our goal is simple: to create an environment where everyone can dance, connect, express themselves, and enjoy the experience while treating others with respect. Thank you for helping us make all psbc events welcoming, safe, and memorable for everyone.

— PSBC Team