Trade Show Exhibitors

Rules by which every exhibitor must abide.

Given the reasons for exhibiting at the Show, outside activities or meetings by any housewares company during The Inspired Home Show hours that would draw attendance away from the exhibit floor or McCormick Place are prohibited.

Exhibiting companies that cancel their booth space and want to attend the Show must cancel their hotel meeting rooms and McCormick Place meeting rooms, return their Exhibitor Badges, and re-register as “Trade Guests.” Non-exhibiting companies are prohibited from conducting any meetings including retailer and supply chain meetings, during the Show period, including move-in, Show days, and move-out. Violators may be suspended from exhibiting or attending all future Shows. The International Housewares Association (IHA) reserves the right to charge $1000 per Trade Guest Supplier badge and limit the number of badges per company to five (5), solely at its discretion, to enhance the quality and overall experience of the Show for all participants. IHA also reserves the right to make changes, as necessary, to the category of badge registration type submitted by an individual or company. Should it be necessary to change the registration type after the request has been submitted by any means, a representative of IHA will contact the individual or company and request payment of the amount due. Should a charge be imposed, payment must be submitted in advance of receiving a badge. If payment is not received, IHA reserves the right to cancel all hotel rooms and meeting rooms.

IHA reserves the right to charge Trade Guests $100 per badge and limit the number of badges per company to five (5), solely at its discretion, to enhance the quality and overall experience of the Show for all participants.

Unauthorized photography of any exhibit or product is prohibited and may result in expulsion from the Show. Unauthorized photography includes videotaping or photographing another exhibitor’s booth or product without the exhibitor’s permission at any time. Exhibitors are required to monitor their own booth areas and should notify IHA or security immediately of any unauthorized photography. Arrangements can be made to have your exhibit photographed and videotaped with the recommended Show photographer. Upon request, IHA will also provide exhibitors with “no photography” signs to be placed in their booth. Be considerate of other exhibitors. Under no circumstance should you enter any other exhibitor’s display area uninvited or when unattended.

Interference with, or disruption of, another exhibitor’s personnel or legitimate activities is prohibited. Exhibitors are not permitted to behave in a manner which, in the sole discretion of IHA, is objectionable. You must comply with all additional rules established by IHA. If you have any questions concerning your exhibit or activities within your booth, please contact IHA.

Exhibitors and their company representatives must wear their official identification badges at all times while on the Show floor and in meeting rooms. These badges are issued for protection and identification and must not be loaned or given to other persons. Badges should not be accepted or worn if they do not accurately represent the exhibitor’s identity or company. Do not discard your badges in common areas or facility receptacles. This will prevent unauthorized attendees from assuming your identity to remove product from the Show floor. Also, refrain from bringing Show badges for personnel who are not attending the Show. Badges must be obtained through the Show’s authorized registration company only. Unauthorized badges that are manufactured or copied will be confiscated; violators may be barred from the Show premises. Exhibitors are prohibited from ordering exhibitor badges for anyone other than their company representatives exhibiting in the booth. Exhibitors may not order badges for Exhibitor-Appointed Contractors and manufacturer’s reps. Exhibiting companies that cancel their booth space must return their Exhibitor badges to IHA. If a refund is due, it will not be issued until all badges are returned. If cancelled companies want to attend the Show, they must register as Trade Guests.

• Demonstrators must be properly clothed at all times and must confine their activities to their exhibit space.
• Demonstrations and distribution of promotional materials in aisles and common areas is prohibited.
• Exhibitor’s sound level shall not be disruptive and/or interfere with the ability of any and all adjacent exhibitors and exhibit areas to exhibit.
• Any raffles, prize drawings or promotional contests of any kind must be approved by IHA in writing prior to the Show. The selling of product is strictly prohibited.
• Exhibitors are not permitted to dismantle their exhibits or do any packing before 3:01 p.m. on the last day of the Show.
• If observed tearing down early, the exhibitor may be subject to a series of substantial fees and/or other penalties included.

Take Action

Follow these steps when exhibitor code of conduct violations occur:

The following is a list of steps for trade show exhibitors to take on-site when they encounter an Exhibitor Code of Conduct violation. Exhibitors are cautioned against taking the matter into their own hands with the use of force or threats of force. There is less exposure for company or personal liability if the matter is turned over to IHA staff and Show Security.

1. If a violation occurs, such as a theft from the exhibitor’s booth or unauthorized photography of the booth or its contents, attempt to stop the violation by talking to the violator. It is critical to identify the violator and write down the violator’s name and company information.
2. Immediately contact the floor manager, security personnel or an IHA representative to report the incident.
3. If the violator attempts to leave the scene before a floor manager, security personnel or an IHA representative arrives at the booth, do not use physical means to restrain the violator. If the violator has not yet been identified, continue trying to do so. This may involve following the violator to see if he or she goes to his or her own company’s booth, which may help later to identify the violator.
4. When a floor manager, security personnel or an IHA representative arrives at the booth, explain the incident, providing as many details as possible about the violator’s identity, company and violation. Ask for a copy of the Violation Notice or Show Security Incident Report and keep it for future reference in connection with any disciplinary action by IHA staff or IHA’s Board of Directors.
5. If more information about the violation or the identity of the violator is obtained later during the Show, give it to a floor manager, security personnel or an IHA representative.

Managing Trade Guests at the Show

Over the past few years we have received complaints from a number of exhibitors concerning the distraction that some trade guests create on the Show floor.

To address those complaints IHA will be taking a few steps to pre-qualify those guests on the floor.

• We have identified the roles of those guests that exhibitors have told us create the greatest challenges and will be charging them a $100 badge fee. Their badge will identify them as “Trade Guests” and will have a yellow stripe at the bottom.
• For those less distracting guests such as students or designers, they will be able to enter without charge. Their badge will identify them as “Industry Affiliate” with a clear stripe at the bottom.

Many of you have told us that you invite your third party providers to meet with you at the Show. Please make certain that you notify them that they will be charged if they fit the definition of “Trade Guest.”

Each “Trade Guest” and “Industry Affiliate” has been instructed to be respectful of each exhibitor’s time. They are aware that your primary reason for exhibiting is to reach out to the retailing and buying community.

In the event that you are approached by any of these guests at the Show and you believe that they may offer something of value to your organization, but do not wish to speak to them in your booth, you may prepare a version of the letter shown below. This will instruct these potential suppliers on the most efficient way to contact the appropriate person in your company after the Show.

If any of these guests do not abide by the Trade Guest Code of Conduct, please let us know by emailing the name of the guest to Connie Chantos at [email protected].

Trade Guests

The primary business of attendees of The Inspired Home Show is the buying and selling of products for the home. We ask you, who are invited to attend the Show as guests of the housewares industry, to respect the primary activity of all attendees.

Please schedule all exhibitor meetings in advance of the Show. Even if you have an appointment, if exhibitors have a meeting in progress, please respect their privacy. If exhibitors are not engaged with buyers, make certain that they are still able to meet at your scheduled time.

Other things to remember:

• Removal of product samples from the exhibit hall is strictly prohibited.
• Food samples offered by exhibitors are intended for their buyer customers.
• Cameras and video equipment are prohibited.
• As a safety consideration, wheeled carts and luggage are prohibited on the Show floor. Please use the complimentary coat and luggage check.
• There is no smoking allowed inside the convention center.
• Trade guests should not enter a booth unless invited by exhibitor personnel.
• Only Buyers and Manufacturer Reps are allowed to leave the exhibit floor with product.
• Trade Guests are not allowed to remove product from the Show floor.

All Trade Guests are admitted to the Show as guests of the industry and are asked to respect the wishes of exhibitors and buyers as they conduct their business.