Anti-Suitcasing and Outboarding Policy

Purpose and Commitment

NAGGL is committed to fostering a professional, respectful, and equitable environment for all participants at its events, including members, attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors. To protect the integrity and value of our events, this policy establishes clear guidelines prohibiting suitcasing and outboarding, and outlines the actions NAGGL will take to enforce these rules.

Overview of Unethical Practices

Both suitcasing and outboarding are considered unethical marketing practices at conferences and trade shows. These tactics involve engaging in business activities without paying for exhibition or sponsorship, which undermines the investments made by official exhibitors and sponsors and detracts from the quality of the event.

What is Suitcasing?

Suitcasing refers to the act of attending a NAGGL event for the purpose of marketing, promoting, selling, or soliciting business without being a registered exhibitor, sponsor, or approved partner. This unauthorized commercial activity often involves individuals or companies acting as general attendees but actively promoting their business without authorization.

Examples of Suitcasing include:

  • Attempting to sell products or services on the exhibit floor without being an official exhibitor.
  • Distributing marketing materials (e.g., flyers, samples, business cards) in unauthorized areas.
  • Promoting outside events, organizations, or conferences.
  • Booth sharing or subleasing space without prior approval.

Example:

  • A company attendee handing out business cards and product brochures to other attendees on the exhibit floor without paying to exhibit.

What is Outboarding?

Outboarding is the practice of hosting events, meetings, hospitality suites, or similar gatherings outside of the NAGGL event venue or programming without NAGGL’s prior written consent, often with the intent to divert attendees from the official agenda.

Examples of Outboarding include:

  • Hosting competing events or client meetings during NAGGL official event hours.
  • Conducting product demonstrations or marketing presentations offsite without approval.
  • Encouraging attendees to leave the conference to participate in unofficial events.

Example:

  • A company sets up a hospitality suite at a hotel nearby the conference and encourages attendees to leave the conference to visit their suite.

Why Suitcasing and Outboarding Are Unethical

  • Reduces the value of the official event: Attracting attendees away from the main event diminishes the size and quality of the audience available to paying exhibitors and sponsors.
  • Diminishes exhibitor and sponsor investment: These practices dilute the value of the investment made by official participants.
  • Creates confusion and dissatisfaction: Attendees may struggle to differentiate between official and unofficial activities, potentially resulting in a negative experience.
  • Undermines the event’s legitimacy: Such tactics can damage the credibility of the event itself.

Enforcement and Penalties

Violations of this policy are taken seriously. If an individual or company is found to be in violation of this policy, NAGGL may take any or all of the following actions:

  • Immediate removal from the event without refund.
  • Prohibition from attending future NAGGL events.
  • Assessment of penalties, including potential fines.
  • Termination of membership or sponsorship privileges, where applicable.

Reporting Violations

All attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors are encouraged to report suspected violations of this policy. Reports may be made directly to NAGGL staff onsite or via email at [email protected]. NAGGL will investigate all reports discreetly and take appropriate action as necessary.

Code of Conduct Expectations

To maintain a positive environment, all attendees are reminded of the following expectations:

  • Do not engage in unauthorized solicitation or promotion.
  • Respect the boundaries and property of exhibitors and sponsors.
  • Do not tamper with or remove items from other exhibitors’ booths.
  • Do not share event credentials with unauthorized individuals.

Acknowledgment

By registering for or participating in a NAGGL event, all attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, and guests agree to comply with this Anti-Suitcasing and Outboarding Policy.

Contact

For questions or to report violations, contact: [email protected]