Attendance &
Conduct Policy

The Summit is a place for the exchange of hard-won expertise and genuine ideas. We expect every participant to bring their full professional self and to extend the same courtesy to others.

What We Ask of You

• Be present and engaged. Participate actively in sessions. Ask questions. Challenge ideas respectfully.
• Be considerate of the time and attention of speakers, moderators, and fellow attendees.
• Critique ideas, not individuals. Disagreement is welcome; personal disparagement is not.
• Be mindful of your surroundings. If you observe a dangerous situation or a fellow attendee in distress, alert Summit staff immediately.
• Respect confidentiality where it is indicated. Not every conversation at this Summit is on the record; follow the ground rules stated at the start of each session.
• Silence or disable your mobile device before entering any session room.
• Arrive on time. Late arrivals disrupt speakers and fellow attendees; if you must arrive late, enter quietly and take the nearest available seat.

What We Do Not Tolerate

• Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, or demeaning speech or actions of any kind — toward any attendee, speaker, staff member, volunteer, or vendor.
• Personal attacks, deliberate humiliation, or conduct intended to silence or marginalize another person.
• Unwanted physical contact of any kind.
• Disruptive behavior during sessions, including heckling, sustained interruption, or conduct that prevents others from participating.
• Recording of any session, speaker, or attendee without prior written consent, unless you hold Summit-issued media credentials.

The Whitefish Security Summit has zero tolerance for sexual harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, age, disability, or any other personal characteristic.

Sexual Harassment Includes, But Is Not Limited To

• Unwanted physical contact, touching, or proximity of a sexual or romantic nature.
• Verbal comments, jokes, innuendo, or advances of a sexual nature — whether in person, in writing, or through any medium.
• Display of sexually explicit or suggestive material, including on presentation slides or personal devices visible to others.
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following of another person.
• Repeatedly contacting or messaging someone after being asked to stop.
• Any conduct that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive environment on the basis of sex or gender.

Reporting

Anyone who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment or discrimination should report it immediately. You do not need to wait for a session to end.

• Approach any Summit staff member wearing a staff badge (blue lanyard).
• Ask any staff member to connect you with the Summit Director or designated Conduct Officer.
• Reports are taken seriously, handled discreetly, and acted upon promptly.
• Retaliation against any person who makes a good-faith report is itself a violation of this policy and will be treated accordingly.

One of the most valuable parts of any Summit session is the audience Q&A. The speakers at this event have extraordinary backgrounds and unique perspectives; the goal of audience participation is to deepen the dialogue — not to extend it, redirect it, or compete with it. Please observe the following rules so that everyone has a fair opportunity to contribute.

Q&A Rules

1. Ask a question — not a speech. State your question concisely and directly. If you cannot phrase it as a question in two sentences or fewer, continue refining it before raising your hand.
2. One question per person per session. Each person may ask one question during a given session. This ensures that as many attendees as possible have the opportunity to participate within the allotted Q&A period.
3. One follow-up is permitted per session — total. A single follow-up question is allowed per session, but it may only be asked once per session across all attendees. If a follow-up has already been taken, that opportunity is closed. The moderator will determine whether a follow-up is appropriate.
4. Wait to be recognized. Raise your hand and wait for the moderator to call on you before speaking. Do not begin speaking while another question or follow-up is in progress.
5. Stand, state your name. When recognized, please stand, briefly state your name, and ask your question.
6. Respect the moderator’s judgment. Moderators manage time, pacing, and the flow of discussion. Their decisions on recognizing questions, ending Q&A, and allowing follow-ups are final.

The Summit dress code is casual — genuinely casual, not ‘business casual.’ Whitefish is a mountain town, April weather can be variable (expect 30–55°F, snow not out of the question), and this is not a cocktail party circuit. Dress comfortably and practically. That said, ‘casual’ should still reflect the seriousness of the people in the room.

Appropriate Attire Includes

• Jeans, chinos, casual trousers, or hiking/outdoor pants.
• Flannel shirts, sweaters, fleece, pullovers, button-down shirts (untucked is fine).
• Casual dresses or skirts at any length that is comfortable and appropriate for a professional gathering.
• Clean, comfortable footwear — boots, sneakers, loafers, trail shoes.
• Outdoor and layering pieces appropriate to April in Montana (jackets, vests, base layers). The venue is climate-controlled, but shuttle rides and breaks outside will be cold.
• Business or formal dress is equally welcome if that is your preference.

Not Appropriate

• Clothing with offensive, lewd, discriminatory, or politically aggressive language or imagery.
• Clothing or symbols associated with hate groups or extremist movements.
• Attire so casual or revealing that it would be reasonably perceived as disrespectful in a professional setting — use your judgment and err on the side of decency.

Morning PT sessions with Commander Oehlerich (April 2 & 3, 6:30–7:45 AM) are the one exception: athletic wear, workout gear, and running shoes are expected and encouraged for those sessions.

All Summit participants — attendees, speakers, staff, sponsors, media, and vendors — must wear a visible name badge at all times while on Summit premises. Your badge is your credential.

• Badges must be worn visibly on the outer layer of clothing at all times.
• Badge colors indicate access category and are non-transferable. Do not share, lend, or give your badge to another person under any circumstances.
• Any person found wearing a badge they were not issued, or who cannot produce a badge, will be escorted from the premises.
• Lost or damaged badges should be reported to the registration desk immediately. A replacement may be issued at staff discretion with proper identification.
• Summit staff and security are authorized to request badge display from any individual at any time. Please comply promptly and courteously.

Badge Color Reference

Many Summit sessions involve sensitive topics and participants who have worked in classified or sensitive environments. Please exercise discretion.

• Photography and recording of sessions is prohibited unless you hold Summit-issued media credentials.
• You may photograph shared social spaces (receptions, outdoor areas) provided no individual objects to being photographed. If someone asks not to be photographed, honor that request immediately.
• Do not livestream or post real-time video of any panel, speaker, or session to any social media platform without explicit permission from the Summit Director.
• By attending, you consent to the possible use of your image or voice in Summit-produced photography, video, or promotional materials. If you have a specific objection, notify the registration desk in writing at check-in.
• The ground rules for each session (on-record, off-record, or Chatham House) will be stated by the moderator at the outset. Please honor them.

Some Summit events include alcohol service. The Summit is not responsible for alcohol consumed offsite, but conduct that results from overconsumption — at any Summit activity — remains subject to this policy.

• Drink responsibly. Intoxication is not an excuse for conduct that violates this policy — it is an aggravating factor.
• If you feel unwell, please alert a staff member. We have a dedicated first aid point of contact on-site throughout the Summit.
• Whitefish is a small town at roughly 3,000 feet. Weather in early April can shift quickly. Please dress appropriately for outdoor transitions.

Summit staff and the designated Conduct Officer have authority to enforce this policy at all times. Enforcement is at their sole discretion and is not subject to appeal during the event.

Escalation Process

1. Staff member observes or receives a report of a potential violation.
2. Staff member notifies the Conduct Officer or Summit Director.
3. The Conduct Officer assesses the situation, speaks with relevant parties, and determines appropriate action.
4. Action is taken — ranging from a private warning to immediate removal — proportionate to the severity and nature of the violation.
5. For violations involving potential criminal conduct, Summit staff will contact local law enforcement.

Possible Consequences

• Verbal or written warning.
• Removal from a specific session or event activity.
• Immediate removal from the Summit without refund.
• Permanent preclusion from future Whitefish Security Summit events.
• Referral to law enforcement where conduct may constitute a criminal offense.

You should never feel that you have to tolerate harassment, discrimination, or a safety concern in silence.

• Approach any staff member in person (blue lanyard / staff badge) — at any time, in any session or common area.
• Ask any staff member to connect you privately with the Summit Director or Conduct Officer.
• All reports are handled confidentially and with discretion. Your identity will not be shared with the subject of a complaint without your consent, except where required by law.
• Good-faith reports will not be used against the reporter under any circumstances.