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RULES AND REGULATIONS

By exhibiting as a vendor at the 2025 Annual Conference & Expo, you agree to the following rules and regulations:
 

GENERAL

The purpose of the HSPA Expo is to supplement the educational meetings by enabling registrants to experience the latest in medical devices, equipment, supplies and services. Exhibitors may not display or promote medical devices or other products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. HSPA reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any exhibit, either before or after the proper execution of the exhibit contract. HSPA shall have full discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of all rules and regulations governing exhibitors. All matters that are not specifically addressed in these Rules and Regulations shall be subject to the decision of HSPA. These Rules and Regulations may be amended at any time by HSPA and any such amendment shall become a part of the contract between all exhibitors. Amended changes will be communicated to all exhibiting companies.

 

CONDUCT

All exhibits will serve the interest of HSPA conference attendees and will be operated in a way that will not detract from other exhibits. All business activities, circulars and advertising materials of the exhibitors may only be conducted and/or distributed within the booth assigned to the exhibitor. Such materials may not be distributed in other areas of the meeting facilities. X-ray and laser equipment may be shown but not operated. All mechanical apparatus must be muffled so as not to interfere with other exhibitors or attendees. Audio/Visual effects are permitted only within the rented exhibit space and must not interfere with any neighboring exhibitors; they should be played at a conversational volume and will be monitored by HSPA personnel. Promotional giveaways and exhibitor prize drawings will be permitted.

 

USE OF THE HSPA NAME AND LOGO

The HSPA name and logo are the exclusive, trademarked property of HSPA. The HSPA logo may not be used in any way (e.g., promotional literature, giveaways, etc.). Exhibiting companies may use the “HSPA Annual Conference ” name and its designated logo on promotional items for the current conference only. The exhibitor is granted no rights to use other names, slogans, service marks, trademarks, trade names or logos of HSPA.

No exhibitor may use the HSPA name or any of its affiliate organizations in conjunction with any promotional activity or award in the exhibit hall without the expressed written consent of HSPA.

 

1. SUBLEASING OF BOOTH SPACE Exhibitors may not assign, sublet or appoint to others the whole or any part of the space allocated and may not display goods or services other than those manufactured or regularly distributed by the contracted exhibitor. No sign or courtesy card is to be displayed for any equipment or product for demonstration purposes, unless the supplier of such equipment is also a contracted exhibitor. Co-branding with nonexhibiting companies within the booth space and/or on conference marketing materials is not permitted within the expo hall.

 

2. ARRANGEMENT OF BOOTHS Any portion of an exhibit that obstructs the view, interferes with other exhibitors, extends beyond the designated booth space or for any reason becomes objectionable, must be immediately modified or removed by the exhibitor. Exhibit space assignments and/or arrangements may be revoked, rearranged, or altered by HSPA at any time, including onsite during the conference, upon breach of the terms and conditions of this Contract. In designing exhibits, traffic flow, good judgment and consideration for neighboring exhibitors should be primary objectives. HSPA provides three different exhibit options:

 

LINEAR BOOTHS: Arranged so that only one side is exposed to an aisle; typically arranged in a series along a straight line. Maximum height of eight feet is allowed only in the rear of the booth space, with a restriction of four feet in height imposed on all materials in the remaining space forward to the aisle.

 

CORNER BOOTHS: Arranged so that two sides are exposed to an aisle. Maximum height of eight feet is allowed only in the rear, with a four foot height restriction imposed on all materials in the remaining space forward to the aisle.

 

ISLAND BOOTHS: Any size booth exposed to aisles on all four sides. The entire cubic content of the space may be used up to the maximum allowable height of 24 feet, including signage (hanging or stationary), banners, trusses and hanging light systems. Only island booths are permitted to have hanging signs, and any hanging signage will be hung at 24 feet from the floor to the top of the sign.

 

CORNER ENDCAPS: Since all booths include an eight foot back wall drape, except for islands, in some circumstances, this may create one or two additional eight foot side walls as well. Because of this, HSPA does not permit corner endcaps on the show floor.

 

3. INSTALLATION/DISMANTLING HSPA reserves the right to adjust the time for the installation of a booth prior to the show opening and for its removal after the conclusion of the show. Under no circumstances is the addition to or removal of any portion of an exhibit permitted during show hours. All booths must be properly installed, fully operational and show-ready no later than two hours prior to show opening on April 25, 2025. Early dismantle and/or removal of an exhibit may result in the loss of exhibit privileges for future shows.

 

4. EXHIBITOR PERSONNEL All exhibitors should register their personnel in advance online at the conference website. Exhibitors are currently permitted up to four representatives per 10’x10’ space rented. As an example, a 10’x10’ booth would receive four exhibitor badges, a 10’x20’ booth would receive eight badges, a 20’x20’ booth would receive 16 badges, etc. Company names on exhibitor badges are restricted to the company name as listed on the contract; sub-divisions and partnering companies will not be permitted to update their exhibitor badge to reflect a company name not listed as an exhibitor. All exhibiting company representatives must wear the official name badge while in the exhibit hall. The Exhibitor badge provides access to all learning sessions Sunday through Tuesday (if CE credit is required for attendance, separate attendee registration is required). The Expo is limited to registered attendees as well as registered exhibiting companies who have contracted or paid for space assignments. No other individuals or companies will be permitted to distribute any advertising or reference materials within the exhibit or designated conference areas, and no person will be permitted in the exhibit hall for the purpose of soliciting advertising without the expressed written permission of HSPA. Soliciting or distribution of advertising materials in the exhibit hall by representatives of nonexhibiting companies is strictly forbidden and may result in immediate eviction from the conference.

 

5. CONTRACTOR SERVICES As you plan for the HSPA Expo, you may receive solicitations from publications and vendors that are not affiliated with HSPA. Please be advised that HSPA does not sell exhibitor lists or contact information to anyone. This information is securely provided to HSPA Official Contractors to inform exhibitors of show-related services. Solicitations from unofficial vendors are often the result of obtaining public information from the internet and should not be trusted. GES is the official contractor responsible for providing all services in the exhibit area. A schedule of prices, instructions, and complete information for shipping, drayage, installation/dismantling labor, electrical service, furniture, lead retrieval, etc. will be included in the Exhibitor Service Kit, available January 31, 2025, or earlier.

 

GES - Official Exhibit Hall Contractor

Kentucky International Convention Center – Official Convention Center Host

ExpoBadge - Official Lead Retrieval Provider

Galt House - Official Conference Hotel

HSPA - Sole provider of any lists or contact information for attendees

 

6. ATTENDEE LISTS HSPA provides a complimentary pre and post-show attendee list, including names, titles, places of employment and email contact information. The pre-show attendee list is emailed to the primary contact for the exhibitor 30 days before start of the exposition, and the post show list is sent within 7 days of close of the exposition. This list may be used for a one-time pre-conference email and/or mail send, and one additional post-conference email and/or mail send. Sharing the lists with nonexhibiting companies and/or other third parties is strictly prohibited.

 

7. LABOR Labor rules and regulations for union labor are made by the local unions and may change without notice. Where union labor is required because of building or contractor requirements, it will be necessary for the exhibitor to comply with these regulations. Information regarding specific regulations that are applicable may be obtained from the official contractor, GES.

 

8. FIRE AND SAFETY The exhibitor assumes all responsibility for compliance with local, city and state ordinances and regulations covering fire, safety and health. All exhibit equipment and materials must be located within the booth. Only fireproof materials may be used in displays and the exhibitor must take all necessary fire precautions. No combustible materials may be stored in or around exhibit booths. Absolutely no storage is allowed in the electrical alleys located between the booths.

 

9. LIABILITY Doors to the exhibit area will be locked immediately after exhibits close and during times of non-use. HSPA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, that security measures will avert or prevent occurrences that may result in loss or damage to property. Each exhibitor must make provisions for the safeguarding at all times of goods, materials, equipment and display. HSPA will not be liable for loss or damage to exhibitors’ or their representatives’ property, including loss or damage from theft, fire, accident or other causes. HSPA will not be liable for injury to exhibitors or their employees or for damage to property in their custody, owned or controlled by them. Exhibitors will indemnify and hold harmless against such claim. The exhibitor assumes all liability for any damage to the facility’s floor, walls, lighting fixtures or other facility amenities because of exhibitor negligence. The exhibitor will abide by and observe all laws, rules, regulations and ordinances of any government authority and of the contracted facility. The Exhibitor will hold HSPA, its Board, representatives, members, staff, the city of Louisville, and Kentucky International Convention Center harmless from all damages, loss or liability of any kind resulting from injuries to persons or damage to property occurring within Kentucky International Convention Center or property adjacent thereto. The Exhibitor will, at its own cost and expense, defend and protect HSPA, the city of Louisville, and Kentucky International Convention Center against all such claims or demands. All exhibitors must place on file a certificate of insurance showing a minimum of $2,000,000.00 for the time of the conference. This certificate must show: Healthcare Sterile Processing Association and Kentucky State Fair Board and Kentucky Venues, its members, directors, officers, employees, and agents as additional insured and shall cover liability arising from Premises and operations, independent contractors, products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, assault and battery and liability assumed under this License to include a per location aggregate. Insurance shall cover all damage or injury to all persons arising from attendance at the exhibitor’s exhibit during the term of the HSPA 2025 Annual Conference.

 

10. MERCHANDISE SALES As a traveling conference and expo, merchandise sales are not permitted on the show floor as a precaution that all vendors are complying with all applicable state, municipal and federal laws. While no direct/retail selling is permitted on the floor, attendees may place orders with exhibitors for products/services at the expo, but the product or service ordered/purchased must be delivered to the attendee after the close of the conference.

 

11. CANCELLATION OR POSTSPONEMENT If HSPA cancels or postpones the conference for any reason, including force majeure, HSPA will refund all or a portion of the exhibit fees paid by the exhibitor, after taking into consideration funds expended that are not recoverable by HSPA.

 

12. VIOLATIONS Violation of any of these Rules and Regulations by the exhibitor or their employees or representatives shall be at the discretion of HSPA, resulting in a forfeit of the exhibitor’s right to exhibit the space and forfeit all monies paid or due. HSPA reserves the right to remove all or part of future exhibiting privileges for violations of the Rules and Regulations.

13. PRIORITY POINTS The first opportunity to reserve booth space for HSPAs Annual Conference is at the previous year’s event. This on-site selection is based on the HSPA Priority Point System. Points are earned based on booth size, years exhibiting, HSPA partnership and HSPA conference sponsorship. Any company that is unable to attend their scheduled booth selection time will have an opportunity to select their booth the week before selection opens to the general public. On-site appointments will not be rescheduled for any reason.
Points are considered an asset of the exhibiting company. In the case of a merger or purchase, the purchasing company must provide proof of purchase of the assets of that company. The purchasing company has the option to utilize the higher points accrued by either party for reserving booth space even if both companies are reserving booths independently. Priority points cannot be combined or sold.