Suitcasing & Outboarding Policy

SUITCASING

Valve World Americas Expo & Conference has a zero-tolerance policy regarding suitcasing.

What is suitcasing? Suitcasing is a parasitic business practice in which unethical companies will gain access to an event by obtaining some type of event credential (attendee badge, delegate badge, etc.) and then solicit business in the aisles or other public spaces used for the conference.
Any Valve World Americas attendee who is observed to be soliciting business in the aisles or other public spaces, in another company’s booth, or in violation of any portion of the Exhibition Policy, will be asked to leave immediately.  Please report any violations you may observe to Show Management. Show Management recognizes that suitcasing may also take the form of commercial activity conducted from a hotel guest room or hospitality suite; a restaurant, club, or any other public place of assembly. For the purposes of this policy, suitcasing violations may occur at venues other than the exhibition floor and at other events. Show Management must be informed of any hospitality suites and expressed consent must be received prior to the event.

WHAT SHOW MANAGEMENT WILL DO
Show Management will respond to all complaints regarding suitcasing. Any attendee who is observed to be soliciting business in the aisles or other public spaces, or in another company’s booth, will be asked to leave immediately.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
If you suspect another company of suitcasing – report this to the Show Management office and someone from Show Management will come to your booth immediately.

SHOW RULES
Exhibition Policy must be observed at all times. It is Show Management’s objective to do everything legally possible to protect you from suitcasing.

OUTBOARDING

Outboarding is defined by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) as the creation of a concurrent event that is related to an existing exhibition or event but that is not sanctioned by the organizer and which seeks to benefit from the audience the organizer attracts.

Valve World Americas considers Outboarding to be unethical business conduct.

Our Exhibitors and event Sponsors invest significant financial and other precious resources in the planning and execution of their events. Their financial resources are at risk as are the business reputation and good will that are vital elements of a sponsor’s business success.  Valve World Americas works diligently to protect our exhibitors’ and sponsors’ investment in the event by taking a firm stance against outboarding. We encourage official exhibitors to host parties and special events to enhance Valve World Americas before and after show hours, but these activities should never be functions that compete against those who are making an additional investment in their brand at Valve World Americas. During show hours, it is strictly prohibited to conduct education inside of meeting rooms or to promote any activity that directly competes with Valve World Americas. Sponsorship activation spaces within the confines of the Valve World Americas space are opportunities to position brands and offer customers heightened experiences.

TO OUR SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS, PARTNERS AND ATTENDEES, we ask that you decline invitations that conflict with official Valve World Americas activities and programming, and that you report violations to Valve World Americas Show Management. Thank you for your support to Valve World Americas and for your efforts to stop these damaging practices.

– Valve World Americas Show Management