SEMA News—April 2013
INDUSTRY NEWS
Protection Against Unofficial SEMA Show Solicitors
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The following housing and travel companies are not affiliated with the SEMA Show:
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The SEMA Show management team works year-round creating programs and refining proven strategies to provide more opportunities for exhibitors to maximize their Show investments. Non-official contractors who offer “better deals” on items and services at the SEMA Show have periodically contacted exhibitors over the years. To help protect each company’s investment, the SEMA Show contracts with and endorses only the Official Service Contractors listed in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Manual.
SEMA does not sell its exhibitor lists or contact information to anyone, and non-official contractors often use public information available on the Internet to acquire an exhibitor’s contact information.
While non-official contractors are not endorsed or tolerated, SEMA recognizes that exhibitors may be solicited by such contractors for services such as carpet, AV/computer equipment, exhibit design and installation, booth cleaning, floral, freight shipping, photography, security and vehicle detailing. Exhibitors have also reported being solicited by companies claiming to be the Show’s official housing company.
SEMA has contracted with only the Travel Planners to be the official company for the SEMA Show.
SEMA urges exhibitors to be vigilant if contacted by companies other than the Travel Planners. If you are solicited by the companies listed here or are not sure if a business is affiliated with the SEMA Show, contact Marel Del Rio.
In addition to potential scams for housing and Show services, exhibitors should watch for directory-guide scams. Companies selling listings in their “Exhibitors Directory or Fair Guides” have been actively soliciting exhibitors at numerous trade shows throughout the country, including the SEMA Show.
A company may imply that your business has engaged with their “guide” before, saying “update your pre-registered listing in our exhibitors’ directory” or “updating is free of charge.” However, in very small type the agreement includes a binding clause that automatically renews every year (some up to a three-year commitment charging $1,500–$5,000 each year).
Examples of these companies include:
•Fair Guide • Expo-Guide Mexico • World Business Guide—Madrid, Spain
For more information, view “Solicitations Warning—Unauthorized Services” in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Manual.