We also set strict rules to protect our journalistic integrity. We would not pay any speaker or provide for their travel. We would not share questions in advance or pull our punches. We would not apologize for pissing off sponsors or give them any purchase onstage for their money. No one could hide on our stage, including us. As a result, the ATD conference (which later would be renamed Code) quickly became the place to prove your mettle as a tech leader.
