 |
|
News for the Hospitality Executive |
|
HITEC Lays Out Plans for the Prevention of Pirate
Exhibitors (Suitcasers) at HITEC 2008®
.
| AUSTIN, TEXAS (April 29, 2008) � To maintain its high value,
plans for preventing pirate exhibitors (suitcasers) at HITEC 2008®
(Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference) have been established
for the upcoming show. It is common for unaffiliated or non-exhibiting
vendors to take advantage of the show�s popularity by promoting their wares
leading up to and near the show, or on the exhibit hall floor in an unofficial
capacity. Such practices weaken the show�s worth to its supporters and
organizers. The producer, HFTP® (Hospitality Financial and Technology
Professionals), is enacting preventive measures to restrain pirate exhibitors,
including rules prohibiting unofficial companies from associating themselves
with HITEC and stepping-up security and increasing awareness of the issue
among HITEC constituents and official HITEC hotels.
�Pirate vendors ultimately damage the overall success of the show for all involved,� said Lucinda Hart, CAE, HFTP�s COO. �The official exhibitors and service providers spend thousands of dollars to be part of HITEC, and we feel it is our responsibility that they get the best experience possible at the show. Companies that attempt to circumvent the system should be on notice that HFTP will do everything it can to protect the integrity of HITEC.� Entering its 36th year, HITEC is considered to be the hospitality technology industry�s must-attend event, annually gathering many influential industry players. It is an opportune time for vendors to gain a significant audience, leading to numerous satellite events and promotions hosted by exhibitors and non-exhibitors alike. As a result of HFTP�s continual pirate awareness campaign, attendees in the past have notified the association of non-exhibiting vendor events. In response, HFTP contacts the event�s hosts to inform them of their violation and its negative impact on HITEC. While some pirate exhibitors know they are participating in an unethical practice, many non-exhibiting, new industry players don�t realize that such actions devalue the show for exhibiting vendors. �We have found that in most cases, this type of behavior is a simple misunderstanding and is rectified immediately,� said Frank Wolfe, CAE, HFTP CEO. �At a past HITEC, one particular non-exhibiting vendor was so appalled that his event had impacted the paying vendors in a negative way that he made a donation to HFTP immediately following the event. He wanted his clients to understand that his organization did not want to build their business under a cloud of possible unethical behaviors.� To prevent pirate exhibitors, HFTP employs the following techniques:
Also common are Outboarders, Suitcasers and Pirate exhibitors, names used for companies that choose not to exhibit at a conference or tradeshow, but plan product demonstrations and similar events, to �steal� attendees from conference organizers and supporters. These companies often roam the convention area promoting their events hosted away from HITEC at off-site locations. This kind of action leads some attendees to believe these unauthorized companies are part of HITEC when they are not. A housing pirate is an unauthorized housing provider that often claims a vague affiliation with a conference and offers reduced rates to attendees. The only housing bureau associated with HITEC is the one located on the HITEC web site. HITEC has negotiated reduced room rates with the official HITEC hotels and will provide a complimentary shuttle between hotels and HITEC for only those staying at these hotels. Those that do not use the official housing bureau risk having extra restrictions and few or no safeguards, including overbooking and cancellation issues. Attendees approached by a hotel company other than the HITEC housing
bureau or non-exhibiting vendors with invitations to attend product demonstrations
or similar events at HITEC are asked to e-mail [email protected]
to notify HFTP.
|
| Contact:
Katy Walterscheidt
|
| Also See: | HITEC 2008 Exhibit Space Sold Out; Set for June 16-19 in Austin, Texas / March 2008 |
|
|