Code of Conduct

Introduction

Fast Forward Events is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all participants across all events we produce, including but not limited to the San Diego Food + Wine Festival, SommCon, Tasting & Tap Room Expo, and Craft Beverage Expo. We expect all participants, including exhibitors, attendees, sponsors, and vendors, to respect the natural human right of every person to be free from harassment. By attending, you agree to adhere to the following Code of Conduct.

Harassment-Free Environment

  1. Respect and Dignity: Treat everyone with respect and dignity. Harassment, discrimination, or any form of disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.
  2. Inclusivity: Embrace diversity and inclusivity. Avoid any language or actions that may exclude or demean individuals or groups based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or any other characteristic.
  3. Professional Conduct: Maintain professionalism in all interactions. This includes but is not limited to verbal, physical, and visual conduct.

Responsible Alcohol Consumption

  1. Moderation: Consume alcohol responsibly. Excessive drinking, intoxication, and any behavior resulting from overconsumption that affects the safety, comfort, or enjoyment of others will not be tolerated.
  2. Legal Compliance: Comply with all local, state, and federal laws regarding the consumption of alcohol. This includes age restrictions and regulations on serving alcohol.
  3. Safe Behavior: Avoid any behavior that could pose a risk to yourself or others. This includes drinking and driving or participating in activities while under the influence of alcohol.

Prohibited Behavior

  1. Harassment: Any form of harassment, including but not limited to unwelcome sexual advances, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, derogatory comments, slurs, or jokes.
  2. Discrimination: Any discriminatory behavior based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
  3. Violence and Threats: Physical violence, threats, or any form of intimidation.
  4. Inappropriate Behavior: Any behavior deemed inappropriate by event management, including excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, or any illegal activities.

Reporting & Consequences

  1. Reporting: If you experience or witness any form of harassment, inappropriate behavior, or violations of this Code of Conduct, report it immediately to event staff or security. All reports will be taken seriously and investigated promptly.
  2. Consequences: Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in removal from the event without a refund. Event management reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary, including banning individuals from future events.
  3. Confidentiality All reports and investigations will be handled with the utmost confidentiality to protect the privacy of all involved.

Commitment to Improvement

  1. Feedback: We welcome feedback to improve our policies and procedures. Please contact event management with any suggestions or concerns.
  2. Continuous Review: This Code of Conduct will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant.

By participating in any event produced by Fast Forward Events, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. Thank you for helping us create a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Registration Policies & Conditions

All attendees agree to the following waiver:

All SommCon attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Unless otherwise specified, no one under 21 will be admitted, including infants. IDs will be checked at registration. All attendees must have a valid photo ID. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. All passes are non-refundable. Passes are transferable. No refunds or exchanges for other passes will be permitted. Each pass will only scan once per event purchased Event schedule is subject to change without notice. All events will take place rain or shine.

Fast Forward Events (F2E) reserves the right to refuse admission to or reject or remove any person that is intoxicated or whose conduct is deemed unbecoming, without refund. F2E urges all adults to consume alcoholic products responsibly. The pass holder agrees that all parties receiving access to the event will practice responsible consumption of alcohol. Anyone who over-consumes or appears to over-consume alcohol will be ejected from all Event activities without a refund. Attendees voluntarily assume all risks and danger incidental to F2E and agrees F2E, their agents, venues, vendors, sponsors, and employees are not liable for any resulting injuries. This pass will not be replaced if lost, stolen or destroyed. Patrons may not bring outside food or drink products onto the event. As condition of admission, all personal items are subject to search. Sound recordings and videography of F2E are expressly prohibited unless prior permission is approved. Skateboards, bicycles, skates, roller blades, pets (unless trained to assist), are prohibited. You must have your badge in order to be re-admitted. Events, dates, times, venues, and personalities are subject to change.

This pass is a revocable license, which may be withdrawn and admission refused anytime. This pass may not be duplicated. Holder shall not transmit or aid in transmitting any description, account, picture or reproduction of the event to which this pass is issued. Holder expressly grants the promoter and its licensees to use holder’s image or likeness concerning any live or recorded transmission or reproduction of such event. No refunds or exchanges will be permitted. Access to the venue by any person other than the original purchaser of this ticket may be denied. Management may revoke the license and eject or refuse entry to the holder for violation of the facility’s rules, illegal activity, or misconduct. Persons selling or reselling passes in violation of any applicable city, county, or state regulations, ordinances, or laws are subject to arrest and prosecution.

These policies and conditions contain legal obligations. Please read these terms and conditions carefully before using this site.

Passes are sold solely for admission to the Event as entertainment or education. All tastings/samples are provided as donations to our educational nonprofit Fast Forward Futures, LLC, and are included in the registration price – there are no additional fees for the tastings or samples. Alcohol will stop being served 15 minutes prior to the closing of each event. Food and alcohol will last as long as exhibitors have product. You are required to present appropriate required credentials, which may include but is not limited to a show badge and/or wristband, for admittance to the Event.  Lost badges and wristbands will be replaced at the published on-site rates.

Health Protocol

F2E’s  first priority is the safety and health of our attendees, sponsors, entertainers, production crew, volunteers, and staff. We are working closely with our venue and the Health Department to ensure that the F2E events will be a fun and entertaining educational experience that is safe for everyone. As such, all attendees will be required to abide by Health Protocols, which may evolve as we get closer to the event and may include any or all of the following measures:  liability waivers, face coverings, social distancing, non-invasive temperature checks, testing, or proof of vaccination.

F2E reserves the right to modify and add requirements at its sole discretion. We will update this page with those protocols as we get closer to the event. Cooperation with published health and safety protocols on-site will be required to enter and participate in the Event.

You agree to the following:

I understand that travel to and participation in events may increase the risk of exposure to communicable diseases. I agree to release and hold harmless Fast Forward Events, World of Wine Events, Fast Forward Futures (F2E+WOWE), the facility, and their employees and representatives from and against damages, liability, claims, and expenses arising from the contraction or spread of disease, including but not limited to Coronavirus, due to my travel to or participation in any aspects of the F2E+WOWE event.  This agreement is binding on me and my successors and heirs. I assume all risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I may experience or incur in connection with my participation in F2E+WOWE events I choose to attend.  I hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless F2E+WOWE, Fast Forward Futures, and all owned and/or produced events in it’s portfolio, its employees, agents, and representatives, of and from any such claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto. Specifically relating to the global COVID-19 pandemic, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk of exposure or infection by my participation, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I understand that the CDC, local Health Departments, and other public health authorities still recommend practicing social distancing, and in furtherance thereof F2E+WOWE has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 during the live conference at the event. I agree to comply with such measures in order to better protect both myself and others, and to help reduce the overall spread of the virus.

I attest that:

  • I will not attend in part or in full the F2E+WOWE events if I am experiencing any symptom of illness such as a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste
  • I will not attend in part or in full any F2E+WOWE events if I have been exposed to someone with a suspected and/or confirmed case of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 in the previous 14 days
  • I will not attend I will not attend in part or in full any F2E+WOWE events if I have been diagnosed with Coronavirus/Covid-19 in the previous 14 days
  • I will follow public health authority recommended guidelines as much as possible and limit my exposure to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 in the 14 days period before participating in the event.

Accessibility & ADA Accommodations

We are committed to ensuring full access and enjoyment for all attendees in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require accessible seating, a companion ticket, auxiliary aids (such as sign language interpreters or listening devices), materials in alternative formats (e.g., Braille or large print), assistance with service animals, or any other accommodations, please notify us at least 15 days prior to the event date. This advance notice helps ensure that we can make appropriate arrangements—such as reserved accessible seating sold under the same terms as other tickets, qualified interpreters or assistive listening systems, and service animal access. Requests received with less than 15 days notice may be accommodated whenever or if feasible. For assistance or to submit a request, please contact festival management at info@sommconusa.com or 619-344-0619, and let us know how we can help make your experience accessible.

Pricing & Other Errors

Trade tickets and conference passes are not currently subject to the per ticket fees in addition to the face value of the pass.
If the amount you pay for a ticket is incorrect regardless of an error in a price posted on this website or otherwise communicated to you, or you are able to order a ticket before its scheduled on-sale or pre sale date or you are able to order a ticket that was not supposed to have been released for sale, then: Event Management will have the right to cancel that ticket (or the order for that ticket) and refund to you the amount that you paid. This will apply regardless of human error or a transactional malfunction of this website.

Billing Information & Verification

Orders are processed only after a billing address, and other billing information, has been verified. Occasionally, we receive incorrect billing or credit card account information for a ticket order that can delay processing and delivery. In these cases, Customer Service will attempt to contact you, using the information provided at the time of purchase. If Customer Service is unable to reach you after its initial attempt, Customer Service may cancel your order and may sell your tickets to another customer without further notice.

Unlawful Re-Sale of Tickets

Unlawful re-sale of tickets (or attempted re-sale) is grounds for seizure and cancellation without compensation. A ticket shall not be used for advertising, promotions, contests or sweepstakes, unless formal written authorization is given by Event Management, provided that even if such consent is obtained, any use of Event Promoter’s trademarks and other intellectual property is subject to Event Management’s consent.

Cancelled/Postponed Events

You expressly understand and agree that: (a) this site and any of the services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and that this site makes no warranties, representations or conditions (as used in this section “warranties”) of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement and that any such warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed, and (b) this site specifically makes no warranties that it or any of its services, including any content, information, products or services obtained from or through the use of this site or any of the services, will be provided on an uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free basis or that such services or the results derived therefrom will meet your requirements or expectations.

Occasionally, events are canceled or postponed due to unforeseen occurrences or Act of God. F2E+WOWE will not provide refunds for such cancellations. F2E+WOWE shall assume no liability whatsoever in the event that an event is rescheduled or postponed due to fortuitous event, Act of God, unforeseen occurrences or any other event that renders performance of this event impracticable, illegal or impossible. For purposes of this clause, a fortuitous event shall include, but not be limited to: war, fire, labor strike, extreme weather or other emergency. F2E+WOWE will make every effort to offer a substitution event in the case the event cancels because of a fortuitous event or Act of God. Any workshops, tours, seminars, conference sessions or activities associated with the official event are subject to change and may require minimum registrations to operate.  Should an activity be cancelled due to lack of minimum registration requirements, appropriate refunds will be made.

Limitation of Liability

You expressly understand and agree that in no event shall this site, including its affiliates and licensors, be liable for any damages whatsoever, including any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages, and any damages for loss of profits, savings, goodwill or other intangible losses, regardless of whether this site had been advised of or could have foreseen the possibility of such damages, arising out of or in connection with: (a) the use, inability to use or performance of any of the services of this site, or (b) any unauthorized access to or modification to any of your content or transmissions, or (c) any other matter relating to this site or any of the services.