This page provides guidance for IAB members when participating in external events that are not sponsored or organized by the IETF/ISOC.
The intent is to support community outreach while avoiding confusion about official IETF endorsement.
General guidance for speaking about the IETF at external events applies broadly to IETF leadership:
Participants in external events are expected to be familiar with and follow the principles outlined in that guidance.
Participation in external events can benefit the broader IETF community by:
Such engagement should be understood as sharing information about the IETF and its work, and not as implying official endorsement of the event, its organizers, or its positions.
Participation by IETF leadership in an external event may be perceived as an endorsement by the IETF. To reduce this risk:
The following considerations may help inform decisions about participating in external events. These are guiding principles rather than strict requirements:
Judgment and context are expected to play a central role; rigid checklists are not intended. Reaching out to full IAB for transparency and advice when in doubt.
Decisions about participation in external events are expected to be made on a case-by-case basis. When uncertain, seeking input from peers, chairs, or outreach coordinators is encouraged.
When appropriate, the following disclaimer (or similar language) may be used:
Participation in this event by IETF leadership does not imply endorsement by the IETF, the IAB, the IESG, or the IETF-LLC. The views expressed are those of the individual and may not represent official IETF positions. This event is not affiliated with or sponsored by the IETF.
To support consistency and visibility:
Certain engagements—such as keynote speeches, openings, or events involving policymakers or industry consortia—may require additional consideration. These should be evaluated carefully, taking into account context, perception, and expected impact.