Code of Ethics
Elevating Integrity, Excellence, and Trust
At VSAI, integrity isn’t just an expectation—it’s a commitment. Every member pledges to uphold the highest ethical standards, ensuring professionalism, mutual respect, and trust in every interaction, presentation, and partnership.
Our Code of Professional Ethics is the foundation of our reputation, reinforcing public confidence in the dedication, integrity, and excellence of both individual VSAI members and the Association as a whole. By embodying honesty, leadership, and ethical stewardship, members strengthen the speaking profession and foster a culture of accountability.
As a condition of membership, every VSAI member commits to this Code, championing fairness, inclusion, and ethical business practices. Violations of this Code will be reviewed in accordance with VSAI’s bylaws, policies, and procedures, with disciplinary actions being final and binding.
Article 1— Representation
The VSA International member has an obligation to oneself and to VSA International to represent oneself truthfully, professionally and in a non-misleading manner. The VSA International member shall be honest and accurate in presenting qualifications and experience in the member’s communication with others.
Article 2— Professionalism
The VSA International member shall act, operate his/her business, and speak in a most professional and ethical manner so as neither to offend nor bring discredit to oneself, the speaking professional or one’s fellow VSA International members.
Article 3— Research
The VSA International member shall exert efforts to understand each client’s organization, approaches, goals and culture in advance of a presentation, in order to professionally apply one’s expertise to meet each client’s needs.
Article 4— Intellectual Property
The VSA International member shall avoid using – either orally or in writing – materials, titles or thematic creations originated by others unless approved in writing by the originator.
Article 5— Respect & Collegiality
The VSA International member shall maintain a collegial relationship with fellow members that is based on respect, professional courtesy, dignity and the highest ethical standards. Our code of conduct encourages responsible membership and emphasizes the importance of supporting national associations for those who have one.
Article 6— Confidentiality
The VSA International member shall maintain and respect the confidentiality of business or personal affairs of clients, agents and other speakers.
Article 7— Business Practices
The VSA International member is obligated to maintain a high level of ethical standards and practices in order to assist in protecting the public against fraud or any unfair practice in the speaking profession and shall attempt to eliminate from the profession all practices that could bring discredit to the speaking profession.
Article 8— Diversity
The VSA International member shall not participate in any agreement or activity that would limit or deny access to the marketplace to any other speaker, to a client, or to the public. This includes, but not limited to, economic factors, race, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or country of national origin of any party.