Trade Show Rules

RPMA TRADE SHOW RULES
Adopted, as revised, by RPMA Board
November 20, 2003

SECTION I – GENERAL

1.      PURPOSE OF THE TRADE SHOW.
The principal purpose of the RPMA Trade Show and Convention (hereinafter “Trade Show”) is to provide a marketplace where manufacturers, distributors, importers and others involved in the retail packaging industry can display and sell their products to others in the retail packaging industry.   

2.      PURPOSE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Many of the rules result from rules imposed by the convention properties. Others are designed to preserve the purpose of the Trade Show as stated above. Subject to guidelines and limitations which must be imposed for these reasons, show Management intends to allow enough flexibility within the respective assigned booths for them to make innovative presentations. The concomitant obligation can be summed up simply as "Be a good neighbor."

3.      DEFINITION OF "MANAGEMENT."
The word "Management" used herein or subsequent regulations will mean RPMA, its Board of Directors, and/or Executive Director acting on its behalf . Management has full power to establish, interpret or amend these rules and its decision is final. Any matters not specifically covered by the preceding rules shall be subject solely to the decision of Management. These rules may be amended at any time by the Board of Directors , and all amendments so made shall be binding on Exhibitor/Attendee equally with the foregoing rules and regulations.

4.      REGISTRATION AND BADGES.

a. All exhibitors, distributors, sales representatives, attendees and guests must be approved by Management for admission to the exhibit area. Companies shall be held accountable for the actions of all persons they register for Trade Show attendance.
b. Personnel who have been approved for admission will be issued an appropriate RPMA badge. Badges remain the property of RPMA, even after issuance, and can be confiscated at any time.
c. The appropriate RPMA badge must be worn at all times in the Trade Show areas. It is a serious breach of Trade Show rules to wear a badge which was issued to someone else, or to allow someone else to use a badge which was not issued to them by show management.
d. No individual may have more than one badge; consequently, companies which qualify as both exhibitor and attendee must identify personnel in advance of the show as to whether they will require exhibitor or attendee badges. Once the show has begun, changes cannot be made.
e. Any company which falsifies information in order to obtain badges and/or fails to maintain control of badges (i.e. allows a badge to be used by anyone else) requested by it may be barred from participating in future RPMA Trade Shows.

f. A fee may be assessed for replacement of badges when original badges are reported missing.

5.      NO UNDESIRABLE PERSONS.

Management reserves the right to eject from, or refuse to admit to, the exhibit hall, or from any exhibit therein, any person or persons, any exhibit or part of any exhibit or thing that is not in its sole discretion in keeping with the character and purpose of the RPMA Trade Show. Upon exercise of this authority, the attendee, exhibitor and/or representative, its employees and its agents hereby releases and waives any rights and claims for damages against Management.

6.      SALES ACTIVITIES.
The only sales presentations or solicitations allowed in the RPMA convention properties during trade show hours will be by registered exhibitor personnel within the confines of their assigned exhibit spaces. Violators will be evicted and their badges will be surrendered.

7.      NO DISTRIBUTION OF PAMPHLETS.
No distribution of pamphlets, sales literature, samples and other advertising paraphernalia shall take place unless approved by Management (except materials distributed within each exhibitor's assigned space).

8.      PHOTOGRAPHY.
With the exception of Management, no pictures, including videotapes, may be taken of exhibit booths without express approval of the booth occupant. Management reserves the right to confiscate any photographic equipment, photographs, and negatives used in violation of this paragraph.

9.      ESCALATORS AND ELEVATORS.

a. No equipment may be transported on escalators within the building. This includes easels, chairs, tables, etc.
b. All equipment must be transported utilizing the service elevator.
c. Public passenger elevators are not to be used for transporting equipment except in an emergency.
d. Wheelchairs, baby carriages, freight dollies and other similar devices are not permitted on escalators.
e. The service elevator may be used only upon approval from the Operations Manager or Building Superintendent.

10. ACCESS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
All Exhibitors hereby warrant that their assigned exhibit space will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will provide auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities suitable for effective communication between all parties. Exhibitors further warrant that where the provision of such auxiliary aids would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods and services provided by the Exhibitor or would result in an undue burden to the Exhibitor, the Exhibitor will notify RPMA of that fact at least two weeks in advance of the RPMA Trade Show and of the alternative measures it intends to take to assure compliance with the ADA during the period of the RPMA event. Exhibitor agrees to hold RPMA and Trade Show Management harmless from and against all claims that may be brought against Exhibitor on the basis of Exhibitor’s noncompliance with ADA requirements. All exhibitor personnel who may need special assistance or auxiliary aids pursuant to the ADA should contact Management as soon as possible.

11. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
All financial obligations in respect to the RPMA Trade Show must be settled with Management prior to issuance of an admission badge to both exhibitor and attendee personnel.

12. GENERAL.
All matters and questions not covered by these rules are subject to the decision of Management. These regulations may be amended at any time by Management as may be reasonably required in the interest of the Trade Show, and all amendments that may be made shall be equally binding on all parties affected by them as the original regulations. In the event of any amendments or additions to these rules, written notice will be given by Management to those persons who may be affected.

13. RULES VIOLATIONS.
In the event exhibitors, attendees or guests are found to be in violation of Trade Show rules, they may be escorted from the exhibition area, and if so, any RPMA badges they might have in their possession will be confiscated. The violation of any of the Trade Show rules by an exhibitor, attendee, guest, sponsor or accomplice thereof, will constitute grounds for denial of admission to future shows of any and all of the persons involved.

Exhibitor/attendee, for himself and his employees, agrees to abide by the foregoing rules and by any amendments that may be put into effect by Management. In the event an exhibitor/attendee is found to be in violation of any of the Trade Show rules, the following actions will ensue:

a. Whenever possible, the exhibitor/attendee will be orally advised, or given written notice, that he is in violation of one of the Trade Show rules and asked to take immediate corrective action.
b. In the event that the exhibitor/attendee fails to heed oral or written notice, Management reserves the right to close the exhibit immediately and expel the exhibitor/attendee from the Trade Show without refund of any monies paid by the exhibitor/attendee.  Upon exercise of this authority, the exhibitor/attendee himself, his employees and his agents, hereby waive any right and claims for damages against Management.

c. The violation of any of the Trade Show rules will constitute cause for not allowing an exhibitor/attendee to participate in subsequent shows. Management shall have sole discretion in disciplining exhibitors/attendees who fail to comply with the Trade Show rules.

d. Any management decision can be appealed to the full Board of Directors.

14. LIABILITY
Neither RPMA, nor its officers, directors, employees, or agents, shall have any liability for any personal injury to any exhibitor or attendee, or its officers, guests, agents, or employees, or to any other person in attendance at the Trade Show; or for any damage to or loss, including but not limited to consequential loss, of any property of the exhibitor or attendee, or any of its officers, agents or employees, or of any person in attendance at the Trade Show; whether such injury, damage or loss is caused by action of the elements or by acts or omissions of any such parties, whether any such injury, damage, or loss occurs prior to, during, or after the Trade Show, unless such injury, damage, or loss is the direct result of the gross negligence or willful act of one or more of such parties.  The exhibitor or attendee, on signing the contract or registration form, expressly releases such parties from, and agrees to indemnify them against, any and all claims for such injury, damage, or loss, and hereby waives same.  Management strongly recommends that each exhibitor purchase insurance covering public liability and loss, including damage and theft, to protect against possible claims arising out of the operation of his or her exhibit.

15. EVENTUALITIES
In the event that an event, including but not limited to, acts of God, terrorism acts, regulations, or orders of governmental authorities; fire, flood or explosion; war, disaster, civil disorder (including labor disputes or demonstrations of any kind), curtailment of transportation facilities, or other emergency makes it illegal, or otherwise impractical for RPMA or Hotel to provide the facilities or services contracted herein, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligation on the part of any party hereto. In the event of postponement or disruption of the Trade Show for any cause beyond the control of Management, Management shall have no obligation whatsoever to exhibitors or attendees. Settlement by adjustment may be made to each exhibitor or attendee on a pro rata basis (not to exceed 25 percent) for routine commitments that it has found necessary to make for initial organization work.

Admission to the Trade Show will be available to all registered Trade Show attendees. The Association makes reasonable attempts to attract qualified attendees to its Show but does not guarantee specific volumes or levels of attendees. The exhibitor hereby waives any and all claims against Management for damages or compensation due to cancellation or postponement of the Trade Show pursuant to this paragraph.

SECTION II – ATTENDEES

16. ATTENDEE ADMISSION POLICIES. 

Companies who engage in the wholesale distribution of retail packaging products to the end user market are  eligible to apply to attend the Trade Show as attendees, providing they do not meet the criteria to be an exhibitor.17. ATTENDEE RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY.

The attendee or any of its officers, agents, employees or other representatives must not misrepresent themselves as a result of/during the registration process, including when the attendee meets the qualifications to be both an exhibitor and an attendee.  Specifically, this relates to any situation where an attendee or any of its officers, agents, employees or other representatives register as an attendee, then attempts to conduct sales meetings, training seminars, etc. with other attendees/exhibitors, when such behavior is indicative of an exhibitor.  Such infractions will result in immediate forfeiture of all RPMA Trade Show badges, and will constitute grounds for denial of admission to future shows.

The attendee has sole responsibility for preventing conditions which might be dangerous to property or person.  The attendee hereby agrees to indemnify, hold and save harmless RPMA and its successors, assigns, officers, agents, employees and other representatives from and against any and all actions, claims, demands, suits, liability, damages, loss, costs, attorneys’ fees, and other expenses of whatever kind or nature which result from or arise out of any action or failure to act by the Attendee or any of its officers, agents, employees or other representatives, including but not limited to claims or action from damage, loss, harm or injury to the person or property of:

a. The attendee or any of its officers, agents, employees or other representatives.

b.      Other attendees or any of their officers, agents, employees or other representatives.

c. The convention properties or any of their officers, agents, employees or other representatives.

d. The official show contractors, its officers, agents, employees or other representatives.

e. Other persons attending the Trade Show and other persons otherwise on the premises.  Each attendee expressly agrees that RPMA, its officers, agents, employees and other representatives shall not be held accountable or liable for, and are hereby released from accountability for, any damage, loss, harm or injury to the person or any property of the attendee or any of its officers, agents, employees or other representatives resulting from any cause, including but not limited to theft, fire, water or accident.

SECTION III – EXHIBITORS

18.EXHIBITOR ADMISSION POLICIES 

a.      Exhibiting companies are organizations that manufacture, import, or provide their goods and/or services to the wholesale retail packaging industry and/or the end user market.

19.BADGE ISSUANCE POLICIES

a. Exhibitors may register and request badges for the following personnel categories:

1.      Exhibitor badges will be issued to employees representing only the company to which the booth is registered.

2.      Guest badges not requiring escort may be issued to family members of personnel working in the booth, provided they are not employed, full or part time, anywhere in the retail packaging industry.3. Guest badges requiring escort may be issued to owners or employees of manufacturing firms who do not have a booth. These business representatives may be escorted through the show for the purpose of evaluating the show for future participation.

b.   Representatives of Manufacturers must register under their own company or individual name and will be issued a badge indicating that they are affiliated with that company.

c. These additional provisions apply to issuance of badges:

1.      Each badge must be picked up at the RPMA Registration Desk by the individual concerned, who must provide identification, and sign that they agree to abide by the Trade Show Rules.

2.      When a company requests a badge for someone, it assumes full responsibility for all actions of that individual relative to the Trade Show.

3.      Companies are responsible for the safeguard of all badges issued in their names. Accordingly, it is incumbent upon companies to caution their personnel about the adverse consequences of loaning or losing badges. Further, it is the company's responsibility to retrieve badges when the use of them for the purpose stated in the request no longer applies (e.g., when the badge user leaves town prior to the closing day of the show). 

20.          EXHIBITOR RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY.
The exhibitor is responsible for his or her assigned space and has sole responsibility for keeping said space free from any conditions which might be dangerous to property or person. The exhibitor hereby agrees to indemnify, hold and save harmless RPMA and its successors, assigns, officers, agents, employees and other representatives from and against any and all actions, claims, demands, suits, liability, damages, loss, costs, attorneys' fees and other expenses of whatever kind or nature which result from or arise out of any action or failure to act by the exhibitor or any of its officers, agents, employees or other representatives with respect to said space, including but not limited to claims or action from damage, loss, harm or injury to the person or property of:

a. The exhibitor or any of its officers, agents, employees or other representatives.
b. Other exhibitors, or any of their officers, agents, employees or other representatives.

c. The convention properties or any of their officers, agents, employees or other representatives.d. The official show contractors, its officers, agents, employees or other representatives.
e. Other persons attending the Trade Show and other persons otherwise on the premises. Each exhibitor expressly agrees that RPMA, its officers, agents, employees and other representatives shall not be held accountable or liable for, and are hereby released from accountability for, any damage, loss, harm or injury to the person or any property of the exhibitor or any of his officers, agents, employees or other representatives resulting from any cause, including but not limited to theft, fire, water or accident.

SECTION IV - OTHER

21.           SECURITY.
The exhibitor is solely responsible for its exhibit properties, whether said properties are in transit, located in exhibit space or otherwise situated in the convention properties. Security personnel will be on duty in the Trade Show areas throughout the day and night during scheduled exhibit setup and official operating hours of the Show. These security personnel are charged with ensuring that: only individuals with authorized credentials are admitted to the exhibit areas; and that only properly authorized property is taken from the exhibit areas. Neither RPMA, nor the convention properties, nor any of the agents of RPMA or convention properties assume any responsibility for loss, theft or damage to exhibits, goods or other property of exhibitors or their agents or employees.

a. Security personnel may be available for hire through Trade Show Management, on an individual (exhibit booth) basis, for other than scheduled setup and Trade Show hours. Costs for such additional security personnel will be borne solely by the exhibitor making the request.
b. At the official closing of the Trade Show, on-duty security personnel are relieved of their responsibilities concerning entry of authorized personnel and the exit of properly documented property. Exhibitors are responsible for the timely clearance of their properties from the exhibit areas. Clearance includes, but is not limited to, preparation of necessary documentation, packing and out-loading of properties, and/or turnover of properties to the transportation agent for shipment. Security of properties during this "breakdown" at the close of the show, and inventory of property containers/cartons with the transportation agent, are sole responsibilities of the exhibitor.

22.           INSURANCE.
RPMA will not procure or maintain any insurance to insure the property of any exhibitor against damage, fire, theft or otherwise, and will further not procure or maintain any insurance coverage to insure any exhibitor or attendee against liability for injury or damage to any property or persons. Any exhibitor or attendee wishing such insurance coverage shall procure the same at its own expense. 

23.           COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK, AND LICENSING AND MERCHANDISING RIGHTS.
RPMA is not responsible in any way, and exhibitors/attendees will hold RPMA harmless, for the protection of copyrights, trademarks and/or licensing and merchandising rights. In addition, the accuracy of all copy printed in the official show guide shall be the sole responsibility of the exhibitors/attendees, and exhibitors/attendees shall hold RPMA harmless for any liability resulting from such errors. RPMA Management will make no effort to police any alleged violations of such rights. Furthermore, Management is under no obligation to admit to the show anyone not otherwise entitled to be there for the purpose of attempting to detect violations of said rights. This "hold harmless" provision must be accepted by all exhibitors/attendees as a condition of participating in the RPMA Trade Show.

24.           BOOTH SELECTION PROCESS.
Exhibitors are responsible to be in the show office at their assigned time to select their booth space for the following year's show. This is simply an informal selection process and commitment to exhibit in next year's show; no contracts or deposits are required at this time. Should an exhibitor miss his or her assigned time slot, he or she will be given the first selection available upon his or her arrival in the office, or will be required to select booth space from those remaining spaces. This process is currently in place, and all current exhibitors are assigned a priority number based on seniority, while any new exhibitors are added to the list based upon receipt of their contract and deposit. Exhibitors declining to participate in the show for whatever reason automatically lose their priority number.

25.           SPACE ASSIGNMENTS AND UNOCCUPIED SPACE.

a. Space Assignments - Two or more companies may not exhibit in a common booth space. Space must be occupied by the company name on the contract. Under no circumstances shall space be sublet or shared.
b. Unoccupied Space - Exhibit space shall be occupied on a continuous basis during all hours the Trade Show is open. Management reserves the right, should any exhibit space not be completely set up at least two hours prior to the opening of the Trade Show, or taken down before the official close of the Trade Show or should be unoccupied for any extended time during show hours, to utilize space in any manner determined to be in the interest of the show. In such event, the exhibitor waives all rights to booth priority; all fees paid and shall be subject to other penalties determined by Management.   All booths must remain set up until the close of the Trade Show.

26.           BOOTH LAYOUT, DECORATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS.

a. Drapes Eight-foot drapes will be hung along the back of booths which back against a blank wall and those which are back-to-back with other booths. Unless notified to the contrary, it is assumed that exhibitors want 3' drapes on both sides of their booths. However, If they have an end booth or occupy an "island booth," they may either have 3' drapes or no drapes at all.
b. Booth Signs. Uniform booth identification signs will be installed by the show decorator on the back drape of the booth. These signs may only indicate the company which has leased the booth space, and may not reflect any other company name.
c. Additional Requirements:

1.      Decorations and signs may not be attached in any way to ceilings, walls, pillars, drapes or painted surfaces.

2.      All electrical equipment must be UL approved and must be installed under supervision of the Building Superintendent.

3.      All fabrics of any kind must be flameproof. All such materials are subject to inspection by the local Fire Department.

d. Restrictions

1.            Any exhibitor who has an end cap booth (this being two booths that face an end aisle rather than down an aisle) is restricted to the back wall of the booth being no higher than 8' and can only extend 5' on either side of the center of the booth. Any exhibitor in violation of this rule will be asked to reconstruct their booth or it will be removed.

2.      Any booth in an aisle may only construct an 8' high sidewall, two feet deep into their booth. The sidewalls of your booth may not extend 8' high for the entire depth of the booth.

3.      All booths and contents should be constructed as to not obstruct the view down an aisle. Any booth configuration that may be questionable should be presented to the RPMA Board of Directors for approval.

4.      These rules are consistent with the general exhibiting practices of all trade shows. If you have any questions about the construction of your booth, please clear it with RPMA prior to the dates of the Trade Show. Any disputes arising on the floor at the time of the show will be left to the discretion of the show management. All decisions of the show management will be upheld by the RPMA Board of Directors and will be enforced.  

27.           PERMISSIBLE PRODUCTS.
Management reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any company or product for inclusion in the Trade Show and to restrict exhibits that may have been falsely entered or which are deemed unsuitable or objectionable.

28.           RIGHT OF ENTRY AND INSPECTION
Management or its designee shall retain the right and unfettered discretion at any time to enter the leased area occupied by Exhibitors and to inspect any material distributed or made available in the leased area.

29.           HOURS.

a. Hours for exhibit setup, scheduled show hours, and time for move-out will be published in separate bulletins. The hours thus established will be the only times during which personnel will be permitted in the exhibit area without prior permission of show management. Permission, if given, will be subject to the provision that cost of any required additional security guards will be borne by the exhibitor making the request.
b. Booths must be set up completely prior to the pre-opening booth evaluation and no work will be permitted after that time. Exhibitors must not begin dismantling their exhibits until after the official closing of the Trade Show. Exhibitors are required to preserve, maintain and staff their exhibits during all the days and hours during which the Trade Show is officially open, unless written permission to do otherwise is obtained.

30.           BOOTH AND EXHIBIT HALL ENTRY.

Exhibitor personnel may enter another exhibitor's booth only by invitation. Entry into another Exhibitor’s unmanned booth is prohibited and constitutes a serious breach of Trade Show Rules.  Unless an Exhibitor receives permission from Management, an Exhibitor must not enter the Exhibit Hall more than one-half hour before or after established show hours.

31.           CONFLICTING ACTIVITIES.
No activities will be promoted by the exhibitors/attendees which encourage departure of buyers from the Trade Show venue during Trade Show days.  Further, exhibitors shall not set up and promote product displays in any area other than the exhibit area at the convention properties during the period of the RPMA Trade Show. Either of these infractions may result in immediate forfeiture of booth space in the RPMA Trade Show and denial of admission to future shows.

32.           NOISE LEVELS.
Exhibitors shall refrain from using sound devices in their booths which might be annoying to their neighbors and shall limit noise levels emanating from booths so as not to interfere with normal conversation in adjacent booths. Sound level of TV sets must be low enough that it remains within the confines of the booth.

33.           FOOD SERVICE IN EXHIBITS.

Exhibitor’s food service must be consistent with the convention properties catering department.

34.           PRIZES, AWARDS, DRAWINGS;
All prizes, awards and drawings are strictly at the discretion of each individual exhibitor.  These events must be conducted within the exhibitor’s space.

35.    NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
Use of alcoholic beverages in the trade show hall or seminar during show hours is strictly prohibited.

Management is not responsible for exhibitor, guest or attendees actions related to the consumption of alcohol.

36.           FORCE MAJEURE ETC./FAILURE TO HOLD TRADE SHOW
In the event that because of war, act of terrorism, fire, strike, government regulation, public catastrophe, act of God or other cause beyond the control of RPMA, the Trade Show is prevented from being held, or the said space becomes unavailable, the RPMA in its sole discretion shall determine and refund to the exhibitor the proportionate share of the aggregate exhibit fees received which remains after deducting expenses incurred.  RPMA shall not be liable for any damage, loss or expenses resulting from the space being unavailable.  Should any contingency prevent holding of the Trade Show, Management may retain such part of exhibitor’s rental as shall be required to recompense it for all expenses incurred up to the time such contingency shall have occurred.

37.           LEGAL ACTIONS.
Exhibitors/attendees/guests/spouses understand and agree that if for any reason it brings legal action against RPMA, its officers, directors or employees in connection with the Trade Show and judgment is rendered against exhibitor/attendee/guest/spouse, exhibitor/attendee guest/spouse shall be liable for all legal costs and expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred by RPMA.

38.             GOVERNING LAW AND FORUM
These Rules shall be governed by, construed and enforced according to the laws of the District of Columbia (excluding the District of Columbia’s conflict of laws rules which would refer to and apply the substantive laws of another jurisdiction). The parties hereby agree to submit themselves to the personal jurisdiction of the courts of Washington, District of Columbia, which shall be the exclusive venue for any disputes relating to these rules.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, exhibitor agrees that this Agreement is subject to the terms of a Lease Agreement between RPMA and the Hotel under which RPMA has leased the premises of which the Trade Show space herein let is a part. Exhibitor agrees to be bound by all terms and conditions thereof as to the use and enjoyment of the premises.

39.     PERFORMANCE OF COPYRIGHTED MUSIC.
Exhibitor is solely responsible for securing all ASCAP, BMI and other licenses or permission necessary to perform copyrighted musical works within its booth. Exhibitor agrees to indemnify and hold Management harmless for any claims arising out of or in connection with Exhibitor's failure to secure the necessary licenses or permission for performance of these works.

40.           COMPLIANCE WITH VENUE RULES.
Exhibitor/attendee, for him/her self and his or her employees, agrees to abide by and comply with all of the rules and regulations of the venue hosting the Trade Show, and shall be responsible for any fines, penalty, cost or the like imposed on RPMA because of Exhibitor’s/Attendee’s action.

SECTION V- INDUSTRY PRESENTATIONS

41.           PURPOSE OF INDUSTRY PRESENTATIONS.
The principal purpose of the industry presentations is to allow exhibitors and attendees to share experiences, insight and helpful techniques for understanding and operating in the retail packaging marketplace. In addition, the industry presentations are conducted to further educate all exhibitors and attendees about the marketplace.

42.           SELECTION OF INDUSTRY PRESENTATIONS.
Industry presentations are selected solely from those proposals for presentations submitted to RPMA. Since space and time availability is limited, RPMA selects those presentations, which it believes, will be of most interest to Trade Show exhibitors and attendees. RPMA is solely responsible for selecting the presentations.

43.           ATTENDANCE.
Unless otherwise approved in advance in writing by RPMA, and advertised "by invitation only," the presentations are open to all Trade Show exhibitors and attendees, and no presenter shall exclude, remove, or otherwise deny admission to any Trade Show attendee or exhibitor wishing to attend a presentation. Failure to comply with this rule shall constitute grounds, among other sanctions, for immediate expulsion of the presenter and his/her company from the Trade Show and for denying admission of the violating party to future shows.

SECTION VI – SALES MEETINGS AND SELECTION PROCESS

44.           PURPOSE
RPMA will attempt to make available to exhibitors appropriate time slots during the Trade Show for Exhibitor Sales Presentations.  The number of time slots available will be based on the room availability at the hotel.

45.           SELECTION

Exhibitors will be selected on the following basis.

a. 50% of the time slots available will be offered to the exhibitors who requested a time slot for the previous year and did not get one.  If there are more exhibitors from the previous year than 50% of the time slots available, exhibitors will be selected randomly.  Any exhibitor in this category “a” who does not receive a time slot will automatically be moved to the following category “b” and will continue to be eligible.

b. 25% of the total number of time slots will be offered to those who did not receive a slot from category “a” and sponsors who have requested a time slot.  Anyone in this category ”b” not receiving a time slot, will be automatically moved to the following category “c” and continue to be eligible.

c. The remaining 25% of the time slots will be offered to the entire exhibiting population.  If the number of requests exceeds the number of time slots, a random drawing will be held.

d. Any exhibitor who does not receive a time slot who requests one will be included in category “a,” the initial 50%, for the following year.

46.           ATTENDANCE

Attendance at Sales Meetings is restricted to attendees only.  Manufacturers’ representatives and exhibitors may attend sales meetings only by invitation of the presenting company.  Where a Trade Show attendee is both a manufacturer and a distributor, attendance at a sales meeting is only by invitation of the presenting company.

WASHINGTON:29554.3 029309.1000