NEFFA’s annual Festival is one of the highlights of our year, and we are grateful to the thousands of performers, volunteers, and attendees who make it possible. This year, several incidents were reported involving inappropriate behavior on the dance floor. In our Code of Conduct we say that “we aim to create inclusive, safe, and welcoming events”, so these reports are being taken very seriously. Our Incident Response Team — consisting of NEFFA’s President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Chair, Arrangements Chair, and Safety Chair — is reviewing each incident and will follow up with those who came forward.
These incidents are not isolated. The results of our 2024 Community Survey included multiple responses describing similar experiences — unwanted touching, repeated requests to dance after being declined, and other behavior that made people feel less than fully respected. We hear you, and we are committed to improving the situation.
In a different question on the same survey, 79% of respondents said that harassment or inappropriate behavior was “not at all concerning” for NEFFA. This suggests that people who have not themselves experienced inappropriate behavior are not aware that others experience it. We are sharing these concerns with our community to raise this awareness.
If you experienced something at this year’s Festival that you have not yet reported, it is not too late. You can reach me personally at president@neffa.org, or raise your concerns with any member of our Incident Response Team.
NEFFA’s Community Stewardship Committee is continuing its work following the community survey presented at NEFFA 2026. Upcoming activities will include community conversations on topics including safety, belonging, and etiquette on the dance floor. Sign up to be notified with the Join the Conversations link here: https://forms.gle/UN4fQq4cgSkLMJNH7 and select NEFFA norms and etiquette for this discussion.
Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us hold it to the standard it deserves.
Jonathan Young
NEFFA President
On behalf of the Incident Response Team