GENERAL INFORMATION                                           

Access to the Exhibit Hall

Exhibitors wearing “Exhibitor” badges may enter the exhibit hall during the following hours:

 Attendees will be allowed in the hall during the following hours (Please note that appointments with attendees in the exhibit hall shall only be scheduled during these hours.):

Saturday, October 15	9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Sunday, October 16	9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Monday, October 17	9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Badges

Badges must be picked up at the exhibitor registration desk. The desk will be open during the following hours:

Exhibiting firms are encouraged to submit representatives’ names in advance to avoid on-site delays. The deadline for badge request forms is Thursday, September 15. Exhibiting firms will be allowed to register up to five representatives for each 100 square feet of exhibit space rented. Badges over the number allotted number will be charged $100 per badge. Additionally, after Thursday, September 15, any changes/additions will be charged $100 per badge. This includes badges that are produced on site - No Excaptions. Exhibitor badges will be issued only in the name of the company shown on the application for exhibit space.

Exhibitor badges will be issued to only employees of exhibiting firms. Representatives registering on-site will be required to show proof of employment with the exhibiting company when requesting badges. Individuals requesting badges on-site who do not have proper authorization to receive a badge will be asked to wait at the registration desk until a representative of the exhibiting company has been contacted for authorization.

Representatives of an exhibiting company must wear the badges at all times, including installation and dismantling, while in the exhibit area. These badges are valid admittance to the exhibit floor, but do not allow access to the educational sessions. The printed badge will show the exhibitor’s name and the name of the exhibiting company. The exhibiting company is responsible for the actions of its representatives. Misuse of the exhibitor badge system may result in the expulsion of the exhibitor from the exhibit hall and is considered a violation of the ACEP Rules and Regulations. False certification of individuals as an exhibitor’s representatives or any other method used to help unauthorized persons gain admission to the exhibit floor, will be cause for expelling the violator from the exposition and removing the exhibit from the floor without obligation on the part of ACEP.

PLEASE NOTE - ACEP recomments pre-registering all company representatives and guest to avoid on-site delays.

Guest Badges

Exhibiting company may register guests. Each exhibiting company is allowed up to five guest passes for each 100 square feet of exhibit space rented. The guest passes will be included in the Exhibitor Service Kit. To receive a badge, a guest of an exhibitor must present the completed pass and identification in the form of a business card or driver’s license at the Guest of Exhibitors counter. No guest passes will be produced prior to the meeting.

These badges are valid admittance to the exhibit floor, but do not allow access to the educational sessions. The printed badge will show the guest’s name and the name of the exhibiting company providing the pass. The exhibiting company is responsible for the actions of its guests. Misuse of the exhibitor guest badge system may result in the expulsion of the exhibitor and guest from the exhibit hall and is considered a violation of the ACEP Rules and Regulations. Guest passes may not be used to supplement the badge requests of the exhibiting company to allow for additional exhibit personnel.

Cancellation or Reduction of Space

Notification of an exhibitor’s decision to cancel or reduce exhibit space must be submitted in writing. The effective date of a space cancellation or reduction will be the date when written notice is received and date stamped by ACEP.

Cancellation/Reduction Schedule

·         Written notification of a reduction or space cancellation must be received on or before Friday, June 10. A service charge of $1,000 will be assessed for each 100 square feet of canceled or reduced space.

·         After June 10, the exhibiting company will remain liable for the full cost of the original exhibit space.

        At the time ACEP receives written notice that an exhibiting company is canceling space, all function space (including hospitality suites) held by that company will be cancelled. Any booth in the exhibit hall which is unoccupied by 3:00 pm on Friday, October 14, will be considered a no-show and may be assigned to another exhibitor unless ACEP Show Management has received written notice of extenuating circumstances. The exhibitor shall be deemed to have cancelled the exhibit space contract. There will be no refund to the original exhibitor and no obligation on the part of ACEP to relocate such exhibitors.

Deposits

A 50% deposit of the total cost of exhibit space requested must accompany applications submitted prior to Friday, April 22. Applications submitted after April 22, must be accompanied by full payment. Full payment of all booths is due by June 10 or ACEP may reassign the space. Deposits may be paid by check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or money order. Payments must be US funds drawn on a US institution. Checks to be made payable to the American College of Emergency Physicians. International Exhibitors may pay by credit card, a check in US funds drawn on a US institution, or by an international money order only. Checks drawn on foreign banks will be returned to applicants, which will delay the approval process and space assignment. Due to processing charges from banks, wire transfers will not be accepted.

DISMANTLING OF EXHIBITS

The official closing time of the exhibit hall is 3:00 pm on Monday, October 17. Packing of equipment, literature, or dismantling of exhibits is strictly prohibited until that time. Early dismantling is considered a violation of the Rules and Regulations and will result in the loss of all accumulated priority points. All exhibits must be packed by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, October 18.

To avoid damage to equipment or display materials, exhibitors should remain with the exhibit until crates are returned and all materials are packed. Cartons for display materials will be returned as promptly as possible to each booth after the official closing time. ACEP does not assume any responsibility for loss or damage to exhibits, equipment, personal belongs, etc. during the dismantle, period.Children and guests are not allowed on the exhibit floor at any time during dismantling hours.

EDUCATIONAL COURSE REGISTRATION

Each exhibiting company will be given the opportunity to register one representative for one educational course at no charge. The registration form will be included in the Exhibitor Service Kit. To gain admittance to additional courses, exhibitors may purchase tickets at the walk-in registration desk. Exhibitors are not allowed to enter the educational sessions on a complimentary basis.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EXHIBITING

Scientific Assembly is the American College of Emergency Physicians’ premier meeting. Its purpose is to enhance the professional and scientific education of the registrants in the field of emergency medicine. ACEP reserves the exclusive and total right to control all aspects of the conduct of Scientific Assembly. ACEP specifically reserves the right to determine the acceptability of applications for exhibit space. All applications must meet the following criteria:

• The products or services to be exhibited are of professional or educational interest or benefit to the registrants and are, in the opinion of ACEP, related to the field of emergency medicine or the physician’s practice. Exhibiting at Scientific Assembly does not imply ACEP endorsement of products or services.
• The applicant or the goods or services to be exhibited are considered by ACEP to be consistent with ACEP’s scientific or public policies, positions, statements, or guidelines.
• The applicant is reasonably determined by ACEP to be highly ethical and reputable, and the goods and services to be exhibited are reasonably determined by ACEP not to be fraudulent.
• The applicant agrees to comply with ACEP Rules and Regulations governing Scientific Assembly.
• The application and required documents must be filled out completely and accurately. All products and services proposed for exhibiting must be listed on the application for exhibit space. Only products and services, which are listed on the original application and approved by ACEP, may be exhibited.
• Applications may be refused or booth space restricted due to space limitations or other reasons determined by ACEP.
• All products exhibited must meet FDA guidelines and standards.

Exception: The only exception to the above guidelines pertains to those companies that will be assigned to the “Consumer Products Category.” These companies may include, but are not limited to, automobile manufacturers, credit card companies, banking institutions, jewelers, etc. The exhibitor understands and agrees that the information contained in this prospectus and the ACEP Rules and Regulations are an integral and binding part of the exhibit space contract. ACEP reserves the right, even after an application has been approved, to refuse exhibits, curtail activities, or to close exhibits or parts of the exhibit that do not by ACEP’s determination comply with its rules and regulations.

EXHIBITOR SERVICE KITS

Exhibitor Service Kits will be online and made available the week on Friday, June 17 to exhibiting companies that are paid in full. The link for the kits will be sent to the official contact as listed on the application for space.

Each kit contains a complete set of forms for ordering services. Exhibitors are urged to take advantage of cost reductions offered by most contractors for advance orders. Many services cost substantially more when ordered on-site, and some may not be available until all advance orders are processed. ACEP carefully selects contractors who provide exhibitors quality service and reasonable rates. Exhibitors are encouraged to use the services of the official contractors, whenever possible. One Exhibitor Service Kit per booth will be provided. If requested, a kit will also be sent to exhibitor-appointed contractors once ACEP receives notification from the exhibitor.

HOSPITALITY SUITES

Exhibiting firms that host hospitality suites must arrange their schedules so they will not conflict with the Scientific Assembly educational program or major social events. Hospitality suites will not be approved for non-exhibiting firms.

INSTALLATION OF EXHIBITS

Thursday, October 13	8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday, October 14	8:00 am - 5:00 pm

All exhibits must be completely set by 5:00 pm on Friday, October14. Requests to work beyond the above schedule must be submitted in writing and will be considered on an individual basis. ACEP reserves the right to assign labor to install any display that is not in the process of being installed by 3:00 pm on Friday, October14. The exhibitor will pay the charge for this labor. Any booth unoccupied by 3:00 pm on Friday, October14, may be assigned to another exhibitor unless ACEP has received written notice of extenuating circumstances. The exhibitor shall be deemed to have cancelled the exhibit space contract, and ACEP will have the right to deny participation at future ACEP meetings. There will be no refund to the original exhibitor and no obligation on the part of ACEP to relocate that exhibitor. Children and guests are not allowed on the exhibit floor at any time during installation hours.

MARKET RESEARCH FIRMS

Market research is considered an acceptable practice at the ACEP Scientific Assembly. Booth space will be assigned on the same basis as other exhibiting firms. Booth personnel for market resesarch firms must remain in the confines of their booth and not stray into the aisle to "recruit" for thier surveys.

MESSAGE CENTER/CYBER CAFÉ

A computerized message center will be located in the convention center. Messages cannot be delivered to exhibit booths and a paging system will not be provided. Exhibitors expecting frequent telephone messages should make arrangements to have a telephone installed in their booth or rent a cellular phone.

       There will be one location for the Cyber Café. The Cyber Café will be located in the exhibit hall and will be an area for attendees to check e-mail, retrieve intra-conference messages, and surf the Internet.

SECURITY

ACEP provides perimeter access control. Exhibitors are reminded that booth security and the protection of special valuable items may require additional security at the exhibitor’s own expense. Forms for ordering booth security will be available in the Exhibitor Service Kit. An equipment pass must be obtained from security to remove any material or equipment from the show floor at any time.

SPACE ASSIGNMENT – PRIORITY POINT SYSTEM

Points, date of receipt, and exhibitor’s preference for proximity to other exhibiting companies will be taken into consideration in determining booth location. Since the point system for space assignment uses exhibit history, it is likely that prime spaces will be assigned to long-term exhibitors. If all your requests are near the main entrance, it is probable that we will not be able to accommodate your choices. By scattering location choices around the floor, you increase your chances of receiving one of your selections.

      Initial space assignments will take place beginning Monday, April 5. To qualify, applications accompanied by a 50% deposit of the total cost of exhibit space requested must be received by Friday, April 2. Space will be assigned based on the priority point system. If multiple companies have the same number of priority points, space will then be assigned based on date of receipt. Points will be awarded as follows:

·         10 points for each consecutive year firm has exhibited with ACEP

·         2 points for every 100 square feet purchased in consecutive years

 Points will also be awarded as follows for corporate supporter:

• Diamond Level Patron – 20 points
• Platinum Level Patron – 16 points
• Gold Level Patron – 12 points
• Silver Level Patron – 8 points
• Bronze Level Patron – 4 points

If a company does not exhibit one year, they lose all of their accumulated points. Exhibiting companies involved in mergers or acquisitions will receive the points that were earned by the company with the most favorable exhibit history. Points are not combined to arrive at an exhibiting company’s point status.

SLEEPING ROOMS AND FUNCTION SPACE

All housing will be arranged through ACEP’s official housing company, Momentum Event Network, and is scheduled to open on June 1. Please note that the procedure for exhibitor housing will change slightly this year. Details will be printed in your space confirmation letter. Check ACEP’s website at www.acep.org/sa for upcoming details regarding housing reservations and contact information. Please do not attempt reservations directly with the hotels. This creates difficulties in managing the housing blocks and often results in attendees not finding rooms at their desired hotel.

 The hotels currently planned for the ACEP housing block are:

• Hilton San Francisco Union Square - Headquarters Hotel
• Grand Hyatt San Francisco
• Marriott Marquis San Francisco
• Palace Hotel 
• W San Francisco
• Westin Market Street
• Westin St. Francis

** NEW RULE** Exhibitors that choose to book outside of our housing block (not using our housing company to book your room and staying at a hotel that is not on the above list) will lose 50% of their accumulated priority space points. This could have a significant impact on a company's future placement on the show floor.

FUNCTION SPACE

ACEP maintains control over the function space in the ACEP hotels and convention center in order to preserve and protect an equitable marketplace for all exhibitors. All requests for function space must be made on the official ACEP request form. Please indicate the sponsoring company, desired facility, date, time, anticipated attendance, and a brief outline of the proposed function. Third-party organizers must be designated as agents by the exhibitor on the exhibitor’s stationary. A payment schedule will be included with the Function Space Request form. Please direct any questions or Function Space Request forms to Lisa Brannum, Conference Manager, ext. 3280.

ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

No entertainment or social functions may be scheduled to conflict with the official ACEP program.