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Exhibitor Rules

2024 Exhibitor Rules, Regulations, and Eligibility

Exhibit rules and regulations have been formulated in the best interest of all exhibitors. Regulations are a part of the agreement between the exhibitor, your agents, IDDBA, and IDDBA's contractor and/or agents. Regulations outlined in this document, the exhibitor service kit, and online rules and regulations are all part of the contract between the exhibitor/their agents and IDDBA. Any failure on the part of the exhibitor/their agents to comply with the regulations represents a default and termination of the contract. The exhibitor will forfeit the amount paid for space rental regardless of whether or not the space is re-sold.

Any matters not specifically covered are subject to decision by the IDDBA. The IDDBA reserves the right to make such changes, amendments, and additions to the rules at any time it considers appropriate. Signature on the exhibitor application and payment constitutes company agreement to abide by IDDBA rules and regulations.

Booth Assignment

  • Exhibiting companies can earn exhibitor and membership continuity points, booth points, registration points, month points, and What's in Store Live sponsorship. The exhibitor, membership, booth, registration, month and sponsorship points are added together to determine your turn for booth space assignment. This total points number is what is used when making booth assignments for the applications received between May and October 31st. See FAQ for more information about the points process.
  • For exhibit applications received October 1, 2023, and after, assignments will be based on the date of receipt of the application and payment. Space WILL NOT be assigned until the signed application and full payment are received in the IDDBA office.
  • IDDBA reserves the right to make any changes to exhibit space or the floor plan at any time.

Exhibitor Service Kit

  • The exhibitor service kit will be available in February. The link will be e-mailed to the exhibit contact once booth location has been confirmed.

Exhibitor Eligibility (also see Subletting)

  • Companies that are source suppliers of dairy, deli, or bakery products, or front-of-the-house equipment are eligible to participate in this event.
  • Brokers are eligible to exhibit their own services, but not those of their clients or principles.
  • Exhibitor must show goods manufactured or sold/distributed by them in the regular course of business. These items must be found on the exhibitor's website, print pieces and pricing information. Only these items may be listed in the show program.
  • Exhibitors are not permitted to feature names or advertisements of non-exhibiting manufacturers, distributors, or agents in an exhibitor's display.
  • IDDBA Show Management reserves the right to approve or reject any exhibit space application and to make any changes at any time to the exhibit space assignment or the floor plan.
  • IDDBA Show Management reserves the right to refuse services to any company or individual, for any reason, at any time.

IDDBA Code of Conduct

The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) seeks to create safe and inclusive environments for all individuals to network, learn, and share. As a community, we do not tolerate discrimination, abuse, or harassment of any kind by anyone at our events, whether in-person or virtual. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, harassment or intimidation based on race, religion, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, appearance, or other group status protected by law; sexual harassment, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), or unsolicited physical contact; disorderly or disruptive actions; and any other illegal activity not already covered above in sessions, the exhibit hall or at any other official conference venue or hotel. Attendees also agree to conform to the IDDBA Duty of Care agreement as well as any current health and safety guidelines and requirements as outlined by IDDBA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This policy applies to all IDDBA meeting-related events on both public or private platforms and applies to all participants, including but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, industry partners, exhibitors, IDDBA staff members, service providers and all other affiliates. The sharing of event registrations with another person(s) and/or making content available to others without proprietary consent is prohibited. IDDBA reserves the right at its sole discretion to expel anyone from this or future events, without refund, whose conduct is not in keeping with these expectations. Expelled attendees will remain liable for any damages caused by their actions.
 
If you experience or witness any unacceptable behavior at an IDDBA event, please immediately bring it to the attention of event security or an IDDBA staff member. If you feel threatened or at risk of physical harm, please immediately dial 9-1-1.

Exhibitor Responsibility

  • The signature on the application and payment constitutes company agreement to abide by the cancellation policy and all rules and regulations (IDDBA, GES, George R. Brown Convention Center, Health Department, Fire Department officials, regulatory agencies, etc.).
  • Exhibitors must take all necessary precautions to protect property and personnel in the exhibit hall, comply with all sanitation/food safety rules and fire regulations.
  • Each exhibitor is charged with knowledge of all laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to health, fire prevention regulations, and public safety while participating in this exposition. Compliance with such laws is mandatory for all exhibitors and the sole responsibility of the exhibitor.

Indemnification

The exhibitor will indemnify and hold harmless the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association, the George R. Brown Convention Center and Global Experience Specialists, their agents and subcontractors from any and all damages and liability for anything whatsoever arising from or out of the occupancy of space by the exhibitor or the exhibitor's agents or employees, and from any loss or damage arising from any fault or negligence by the exhibitor, or the above named groups, or any failure on the exhibitor's part to comply with any of the covenants, terms, and conditions herein contained, or otherwise, whether or not it be caused by or due to the failure of the above named or their agents or employees to perform any of these covenants herein, expressed or implied. Any reference to the George R. Brown Convention Center in this document also includes all governing agencies in Houston, TX.

Failure to Hold Exposition

If, for any reason, IDDBA 2024 is cancelled or deferred, or any contingency prevents the holding of the show, the exhibitor/their agents waive all claims for damages or recovery of payments made.

Uncontrollable Eventualities

The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association, George R. Brown Convention Center, Global Experience Specialists, and their subcontractors do not guarantee or insure exhibitors against damage or loss by fire, water, storm, weather, strikes, earthquakes, acts of war, acts of God, terrorism, or any other contingency.

Liability

It is expressly agreed that the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association, the George R. Brown Convention Center, Global Experience Specialists, and subcontractors for the above-mentioned organizations will not be liable for any injury, profit loss, or loss of or damage to goods or property (including refrigerated or frozen product) of exhibitors on consignment, or otherwise, prior to, during or subsequent to the time of exhibiting, for any reason. Exhibitors are responsible at all times for their own property, personal safety, actions, product liability, booth security, and adequate insurance, before, during, and after the event.

Subletting of Exhibit Space

  • IDDBA allows two (2) companies or divisions to co-exhibit per 10’x10’ of booth space rented. Each company or division exhibiting within the rented space must submit a signed exhibit application/contract and be a member of IDDBA at the time of booth assignment through the IDDBA show dates.
  • Product lines of all companies exhibiting in the booth must be provided to IDDBA prior to booth assignment. Addition of product lines after booth assignment may result in the need for re-assignment of your booth.
  • Subletting is not permitted; no exhibiting company shall sublet its exhibit space.
  • Booth space is to be used solely by the company/companies whose name appears on the exhibit application(s)/contract(s) and it is agreed that the applicant(s) will not assign or apportion the whole or any part of the space allotted if company is not a co-exhibitor.
  • IDDBA reserves the right to refuse service, exhibit space, registration, and/or admission to any person or company at any time.

IDDBA 2024 Booth Changes or Cancellation Policy

Any request to cancel or downsize booth space and/or request for refund/credit due to an exhibiting company's cancellation of booth space must be submitted to IDDBA in writing. You can e-mail exhibits@iddba.org.

  • If the request to cancel or downsize is received before January 1, 2024, 75% of the booth fee will be refunded if the corporate membership is retained, otherwise 50% will be refunded.
  • No refund or credit will be made if the request to cancel or downsize is received after January 1, 2024, even if the space is resold.

The cancelling exhibitor waives any claims and IDDBA assumes no responsibility for having included the name, address, telephone, fax and web address of the cancelled exhibitor, product description, product categories in the show program, brochures, press releases, advertisements, or other materials concerning the show, regardless of when IDDBA received written notice of the cancellation.

Waiting List

Upon assignment of all exhibit booths, a waiting list will be established. Companies will be placed on the list in chronological order based on the date their signed application (with full payment) is received in the IDDBA office. In the event that a company on the waiting list cannot be placed on the exhibit floor, that non-exhibiting company will receive a full refund of their exhibit fees after the show.

No Suitcasing Policy

Suitcasing is the act of handing out product literature or samples at a trade show without being an exhibitor.

Suitcasing is not allowed inside or on the grounds of the Convention Center. Attendees found suitcasing will forfeit their badge and be escorted off the show floor.