Our 2013 post on the things we do to foster a lively learning atmosphere at the conference still applies this year. Give it a read.

Freedom of thought and the open exchange of ideas are key to lean startups and central to The Lean Startup Conference. That kind of exchange can happen only in an environment that recognizes the value of each person and fosters mutual respect. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing badges with your names and a harassment-free conference experience.

Put another way: if we create an atmosphere in which anyone can say anything, we have not fostered an open exchange of ideas, because conference participants who don’t like or can’t tolerate offensive comments and hateful behavior won’t participate. To help ensure that conversations at The Lean Startup Conference are focused on entrepreneurship and that the atmosphere encourages participation from as wide a range of attendees as possible, we do not tolerate harassment based on race, gender, religion, age, color, national origin, physical appearance, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

When we say “harassment,” we’re talking about unwelcome or hostile behavior, including speech that intimidates, creates discomfort, or interferes with a person’s participation in the conference (speaker presentations fall under this category and should not use images or examples that would violate the code of conduct); unwelcome physical contact; unwelcome sexual attention; deliberate intimidation; and stalking. Sponsors should not use sexualized images or activities, and sponsor representatives (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes.

If you’re a conference participant–whether attendee, speaker, exhibitor or volunteer–and you violate these basic standards, we may take any action we deem appropriate, including expelling you from the conference, without a refund, at our discretion.

If you’re being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a staff member, volunteer, or our executive producer Heather McGough, [email protected] or 415.857.2479, and she’ll connect with the conference co-chairs. All reports will be kept confidential among our staff, who have been trained to respond to violations of this code of conduct.

Let’s blow up Twitter with a stream of great ideas, not a riot about how we treat each other.