The CODEX of the German
Event Industry
IndustryWERTKODEX für
1. PREAMBLE
The CODEX serves as a guideline
and code of practice for the event
industry in Germany. It provides a
framework to facilitate the smooth
negotiation, procurement and
implementation within the service
chain associated with the industry
and is a reliable foundation for
economical relations.
Its is based upon a respectable code of
conduct amongst business partners
and emphasizes the importance of co-
operation, mutual respect and
integrity.
The guiding principles in the first draft
are so conceived that considerations
such as ethical responsibility and
sustainability in all its forms, whilst
fundamental elements, in no way
contravene the pursuit of economic
success, profit and the further
development of the industry. It
provides a set of rules to ensure long -
term success and the industry’s
reputation.
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2. Potential Conflict: Values vs. the Event industry

STAKEHOLDERS
Within our daily business procedures we often
stand in conflict between our values, corporate
and personal, and those of our stakeholders.

This area of potential conflict gives rise to

uncertainty in our dealings with each other as well
VALUE as potential misunderstandings and lack of
communications leading to disappointment. The
CODEX is born out of the need to clarify and
address some of these issues and serve as rigid
structure
COMPETITORS
SUPPLIERS
EMPLOYEES

CLIENTS

.
HONESTY In the context of the event “Values 2.0” (Today
ValueEvent) a working party was formed in 2015
LOYALTY by leading representatives of the industry with the
aim of creating a set of by-laws and code of
conduct for honorable business enterprises to
MUT follow and adhere to within the branch.
After agreeing of seven fundamental principles
the code of conduct has been so formulated
RESPECT that it can be applied in a wide variety of
situations arising between stakeholders of
VISION different natures and can serve a s a basis for
trade agreements, negotiation and
recommendations.
RESPONSIBILITY
The aim is that the CODEX can act as a mediator when conflict or
uncertainty arises and can help both parties to settle their
disagreements amicably within a commonly established
framework for the event industry

RELIABILITY
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3. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Honesty
HONESTY + EMPLOYEES
HONESTY + CLIENTS
1 HONESTY + SUPPLIERS
We agree to comply within fixed terms of agreement
and strive to ensure a constructive feedback
environment

HONESTY + COMPETITORS
2
We pledge not to spread any rumors or mistruths about our
competitors
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Loyalty
LOYALY + EMPLOYEES
3 We empower and encourage employees to make responsible
decisions based on their best knowledge and experience and
abide by the decisions made thereof. In return: we expect that
loyalty is not treated as a one-way street.

LOYALTY+ CLIENTS
4 We stand by our regular and loyal clients even in
times of difficulty.

LOYALTY + SUPPLIERS
5 We stand by our regular and loyal suppliers even in
times of difficulty.
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Courage
COURAGE + EMPLOYEES
6 We have the courage to face unpopular decisions, self-reflections
and accept justified criticism and self-criticism.

COURAGE + CLIENTS
We have the courage to question untenable client
7 requests and even to refuse them. We want to
remain serious and upstanding business partners.

COURAGE+ SUPPLIERS
8 We have the courage conduct trade and negotiations “outside of
the box” and to give young businesses or concepts a fair chance.

COURAGE + COMPETITORS
9 We have the courage to openly confront competitors and to
clearly state our position.

COURAGE + CLIENTS
MITBEWERBER
LIEFERANTEN
MITARBEITER

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COURAGESUPPLIERS
10 COURAGE + COMPETITORS
MUT

For tenders and pitches we refer to the 7 rules of fair

pitching as described by the FAMAB: WEITSICHT

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Respect
RESPECT+ EMPLOYEES
11 We have respect for the justified demands of our employees – for fair pay,
appreciation of their worth and career development and in return ask them to
adhere to and respect the demands and values of the company.

RESPECT+ EMPLOYEES
12
We treat our employees not as resources but as people.

RESPECT + CLIENTS
13 We respect the clearly formulated expectations, wishes and criticism of our
clients and act constructively in accordance.
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Respect
RESPECT + SUPPLIERS
14 We use our purchasing power responsibly and respect the justified interests
of our suppliers and strive to ensure an atmosphere of fair play with one
another..

RESPECT + SUPPLIERS
15
We shall provide fair and respectful feedback to our suppliers.

RESPECT + COMPETITION
16 We respect the business models of our competitors and refuse to copy creative
ideas and concepts and not proclaim them as our own.
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Vision
VISION + EMPLOYEES
17 Through long term personnel planning as well as the selection and promotion of
suitable employees we strive to avoid frustration and minimize staff turnover.

VISION + EMPLOYEES
18 Through continual Know-How and Knowledge Transfer and the smooth flow of
communication we shall simultaneously strengthen our company’s internal
workings and external performance.

VISION + EMPLOYEES
19 In accordance with each company’s individual commitment to CSR each
member of staff shall receive appropriate training in the respectful and
efficient use of resources and social responsibility.

VISION + CLIENTS
20 We undertake to embrace and anticipate the changing demands of our
clients and present them with a flexible solution and long term strategy for
their implementation.
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Vision
VISION + CLIENTS
We shall develop suitable concepts to address possible and future client
21 demands in respect of ecological and environmentally friendly events.
Thereby we employ a three-pillar approach to CSR consisting of ecological,
economical and socially responsibility solutions.

VISION + SUPPLIERS
22 We shall ensure that our suppliers are fully aware of, and are acting to address,
changes and developments in the market and are able to assist and provide
solutions in co-operation to anticipate future demands.

VISION + COMPETITORS
23 We watch the strategies of our competitors with considered vision so that we
can remain competitive for our clients and suppliers in the long term.

VISION + CLIENTS
VISION+ SUPPLIERS
24
MITBEWERBER
LIEFERANTEN
MITARBEITER

We strive to maintain (as well as to avoid

KUNDEN

overreaching ourselves) long term and

sustainable business relationships.

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WEITSICHT

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Responsibility
RESPONSIBILITY + EMPLOYEES
25 We are fully aware of the social responsibility we carry in respect of our
employees without compromising our performance requirements.

RESPONSIBILITY + CLIENTS
26 We take on the responsibility to deliver fully on our commitments and will not
promise to deliver services that we cannot capably fulfill

RESPONSIBILITY + SUPPLIERS
27 We shall not demand any untenable terms of payment and in return strictly
adhere to agreed paymernt terms

RESPONSIBLITY + SUPPLIERS
28
In order to limit potential damages we shall highlight areas of potential
misunderstanding as quickly as possible.

RESPONSIBLITY + CLIENTS
RESPONSIBILITY + SUPPLIERS
MITBEWERBER
LIEFERANTEN
MITARBEITER

29
KUNDEN

We take responsibility for our errors or mistakes

without trying to pass blame.

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WEITSICHT

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Responsibility
RESPONSIBILITY + EMPLOYEES
30 We act in a responsible and consistent manner and keep to our word.
Should changing circumstances make that no longer possible, we shall
communicate this clearly and directly.

RESPONSIBILITY + CLIENTS
31 We work responsibly to remain within client budgets and act responsibly
and with due diligence in respect of confidential data and material.

RESPONSIBILITY+ SUPPLIERS
32 We strictly adhere to agreed conditions, in particular with respect to terms
of payment. MITBEWERBER
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MITARBEITER

KUNDEN

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The CODEX for the German

Event Industry
Ihre Ansprechpartnerin

Make public your commitment to

these values by a contribution
starting at 190 € per year!
www.werte.foundation/wertepionier

Contact Annegret Steglich

Telefone 04165 99 79 006
E-Mail steglich@werte.foundation
Agentur Fritzges
Appeler Straße 11b in 21279 Appel/Hollenstedt www.werte.foundation