Understanding the DBMC attendee code of conduct
The XIII International Conference on Building Materials and Components (DBMC), held in São Paulo, brings together researchers, industry representatives, students and authors working on sustainable construction. Its attendee code of conduct turns professional courtesy into practical standards for sessions, exhibitions, social activities and conference communication.
For visitors from Australia, this matters because travel, workplace expectations and building regulation differ from Brazil. The code is a shared baseline for safe, inclusive and credible academic exchange, alongside the programme, venue directions and applicable law.
What the code requires
The code applies whenever participants interact in a DBMC setting: the programme, poster areas, exhibition, social events, organised tours, accommodation and digital channels carrying the conference name. An incident on a tour or in an online exchange can affect the professional community as much as one in a lecture hall.
The standards are behavioural, not promises of agreement. Treat speakers, authors, students, staff and visitors with dignity; avoid harassment or discrimination; respect access and cultural differences; follow safety directions; and accept reasonable limits on photography, recording and contact. The latest event guidance is authoritative if circumstances require interpretation.
Respectful participation at every venue
Disagreement can be rigorous without becoming personal. Challenge assumptions, request evidence and seek clarification rather than humiliating a colleague, interrupting repeatedly or using someone’s status, accent or institution as a substitute for argument. Hostile jokes, threats, stalking and sustained unwanted attention are unacceptable.
Access is part of respectful participation. Choose accessible venues, request reasonable adjustments through the organisers, and avoid treating dietary, religious, disability or language needs as inconveniences. Australian directness or informality should not override the code: clarity is welcome, while contempt, coercion and exclusion are not.
Safety, consent and conference conduct
Personal safety and orderly conduct are shared duties. Follow venue and organiser instructions, keep aisles and exits clear, consume alcohol responsibly, and do not bring anything illegal or unsafe under Brazilian law. In an emergency, alert nearby staff and use the appropriate local emergency service; a general conference contact is not a substitute for urgent assistance.
Consent governs images, recordings and professional contact. Ask before photographing a person, presentation or poster, and do not record a closed session. Conference contact information should not be reused without permission. Broader information from Baktruppen guidance is secondary to DBMC’s safety directions, venue procedures and emergency response.
Academic and professional responsibilities
Presentations and papers carry responsibilities beyond polished delivery. Present results accurately, credit co-authors and sources, distinguish preliminary findings from validated evidence, and respect confidentiality for unpublished work. Ask before photographing slides, distributing papers or quoting material under review; authors remain responsible for permissions connected with data, photographs and third-party methods.
Professional and commercial interests should be transparent. Disclose relevant conflicts when judging a contribution, organising a session or discussing products with sponsors. Promotional claims must remain within the conference theme and applicable rules; sponsorship does not purchase influence. Ethics approvals, research standards and Brazilian legal requirements continue to apply.
Reporting concerns and decision pathways
A concern should be raised promptly through the conference contact route, involving venue staff for an on-site incident. Give a factual account of the time, location, people present and relevant material, but do not circulate allegations or identifying details. The code protects against retaliation, and reports should be handled as confidentially as circumstances allow.
Who handles a report depends on its nature. The DBMC committee structure shows which bodies oversee programme, committee and related decisions, while designated organisers or venue personnel address conduct and immediate safety. A paper disagreement is not automatically a conduct breach, and a conduct complaint does not replace academic review. Seek urgent help first when someone is in danger.
Australian travel and market considerations
Most Australian delegates will leave from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane and face long connections before reaching São Paulo. São Paulo is roughly 13 to 14 hours behind Sydney and Melbourne, depending on daylight-saving dates, and about 13 hours behind Brisbane. Arriving a day early reduces the risk of missing opening activities.
Customs planning matters for attendees carrying samples. Australian biosecurity rules restrict items such as soil, seeds, untreated timber and certain plant products, and luggage may be inspected on return. Check current biosecurity and airline rules before packing; if an item cannot be admitted, bring photographs and specifications instead.
The Australian market also shapes technical discussion. The National Construction Code and Australian Standards are state-adopted and do not map neatly onto Brazilian requirements, while timber certification, insulation, concrete testing and product labelling may use different systems. Comparisons should identify the standard, climate zone and application rather than treating an Australian result as universally equivalent.
| Situation | Expected standard | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Technical disagreement | Debate evidence, not people | Ask for the source and let the speaker finish |
| Unwanted image or recording | Obtain consent | Move away or discreetly seek staff help |
| Safety or medical risk | Follow local procedures | Alert venue staff and emergency services |
| Conflict of interest | Disclose relevant interests | Declare it and follow the chair |
| Suspected breach | Report promptly and confidentially | Give facts to the designated contact |
A focused pre-departure checklist
A brief check helps when the programme is busy and judgement calls arise. Keep the relevant guidance available offline and separate essentials from tasks you can arrange locally.
Before departure
- Read the current attendee code and note its reporting contact.
- Download the programme, venue details and registration confirmation.
- Check passport, visa, insurance and airline requirements.
- Confirm biosecurity limits for samples, timber, food and plant material.
At the venue
- Be courteous in sessions, corridors, meals, tours and online exchanges.
- Ask consent before photographing or recording.
- Report concerns promptly and seek urgent help in danger.
- Disclose conflicts and keep commercial discussions within the code.
Before you pack, save an offline note containing the latest DBMC attendee guidance, the conference contact email and the emergency contacts.