IAEM speaks out against outboarding

Dallas, 11 July 2006 – The International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM) today released a new and comprehensive policy statement condemning the practice of Outboarding. This unsavory practice has built momentum over the last several years, becoming a growing concern for many exhibition and event organizers. In response to industry concern and requests for guidance on the matter, IAEM has developed its Policy Statement on the Ethics of Outboarding, which states: Outboarding is defined by the International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM) 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. IAEM considers Outboarding to be unethical business conduct and should not be condoned nor tolerated. Exhibition 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. The predictable and inevitable consequences of Outboarding diminish the size and diffuse the quality of the audience that event sponsors work very hard to gather. Outboarding reduces the value of an event for exhibitors and sponsors who likewise have significant resources invested in the event. IAEM further believes that abundant opportunities exist through sanctioned means for those who wish to conduct their own marketing and/or selling events to do so in cooperation and coordination with the sponsoring organizers of exhibitions and similar events. IAEM Chairman Sandy Angus says, “IAEM has the obligation and leadership responsibility to help our industry define which practices constitute acceptable behavior and which do not. Clearly, the practice of Outboarding, which seeks to profit from the hard work of others, falls into the category of unacceptable business practices.” Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, comments, “In this post-Enron era, where leaders try to do the right thing, it is good for corporations to focus on the ethics of Outboarding. IAEM is right – no ethical corporation should outboard an event.” IAEM President Steven Hacker, CAE suggests, “Many of the instances in which Outboarding takes place may be borne out of ignorance. Those who do not carefully consider the ethics of Outboarding might easily jump to a conclusion that says, ‘Why not take advantage of the assembly of a group of customers or prospects without realizing that it is not theirs to take?’ IAEM hopes that this policy statement will shed important light on the issue and will help to inform those who might not fully understand all facets of the issue.” For more information about IAEM and other helpful exhibition and event industry resources, visit www.iaem.org. About IAEM Since 1928, the International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM) continues to provide quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEM is the largest association of the exhibition and event industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEM. Through the 2006 consolidation with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), IAEM delivers valuable industry research reports. IAEM also supports IAEM Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary that partners with industry suppliers and service providers to offer high quality, low cost exhibition products and services to the industry. For more information, visit www.iaem.org. Contact: Mary Tucker PR/Communications Manager IAEM +1(972) 687-9226 mtucker@iaem.org