Stadium Managers Association

Code of Conduct and Ethics

Last Amended: July 2018

From Article III of the SMA Bylaws:

The objectives and purposes of the Association shall be to advance, foster and promote the professional and effective management of stadiums and similar facilities; to consider and deal with common intra-industry problems of management; to investigate and encourage activities aimed at enabling the industry to conduct itself with the greatest efficiency and economy; to promote free intercourse and dialog among its members and to give proper consideration and expression of opinion upon questions affecting the industry; to acquire, assemble, preserve, and disseminate valuable business information; to adopt standards of conduct and operation for the industry; and to do all such lawful acts and things necessary or proper to promote the general welfare of the industry and for the accomplishment of any objects herein set forth or which shall be recognized as proper and lawful objectives of an association; all of which shall be consistent with applicable law and the public interest, as well as the interest of this industry and the profession.

Conduct

An SMA Member’s first responsibility in the workplace is to the patrons, customers, athletes, entertainers, taxpayers and all others who utilize their facility, products, or services. In meeting those needs everything should be of highest quality possible, and Members should constantly strive to perform in an efficient, friendly, and respectful manner.

SMA Members are also responsible to their employees and all others with whom they work or do business. Everyone should be considered as an individual, treated with dignity, and recognized for their merit. Compensation should be fair and adequate, and working conditions clean, orderly and safe. Members should also be mindful of ways to help employees and co-workers fulfill their family responsibilities, and to feel free to make suggestions and complaints. Members should provide competent management, and their actions must be just and ethical.

SMA Members must continually strive to enhance their professional knowledge and capabilities, as well as contribute to stadium innovations and the overall betterment of the industry. In all dealings with fellow Members and the Association, individuals must act in a professional and courteous manner, and consciously avoid engaging in any conduct that might be perceived as rude, offensive or disruptive. This includes refraining from sexual harassment, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and any verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. 

SMA Members must also be respectful of the decisions of the majority of the Members and/or the Board and should be good citizens, contribute to the communities in which they work, and be conscious of protecting the environment and natural resources.

Ethics

As an organization of professionals, SMA members are expected to, and must, refrain from engaging in any criminal or illicit conduct, and they must maintain the highest standards of honor, integrity, and overall ethical behavior.

Since a trade association is, by definition, an organization of competitors, SMA members must take precautions to ensure that we do not engage in activities which can be interpreted as violating anti-trust or other unfair competition laws. It is important to realize that an action that may seem to make "good business sense" can injure competition and therefore be prohibited under the antitrust or unfair competition laws.

Therefore, in order to avoid legal consequences, there shall be no discussion of rates, fares, surcharges, conditions, terms or prices of services, allocating or sharing of customers, or refusing to deal with a particular supplier or class of suppliers. And certainly, no discussions that directly or indirectly fix purchase or selling prices may take place. As a further guide to behavior in these respects, SMA members must not:

1. Discuss current or future prices (be very careful of discussion of past prices).
2. Discuss what is a fair profit level.
3. Discuss an increase or decrease in price.
4. Discuss standardizing or stabilizing prices.
5. Discuss pricing procedures.
6. Discuss cash discounts.
7. Discuss credit terms.
8. Discuss controlling sales.
9. Discuss allocating markets.
10. Complain to a competitor that his or her prices constitute unfair practices.
11. Discuss refusing to deal with a corporation because of its pricing or distribution practices.
12. Attend informal sessions in which any of the above subjects are discussed.

SMA members are also encouraged to consult their personal or corporate counsel for more detailed guidance concerning anti-trust and unfair competition.

Any violation of this Code of Conduct and Ethics may, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, be cause for denial of an application for membership or for a termination of existing membership, as the case may be.