Suitcasing & Unauthorized Solicitation

SUITCASING & UNAUTHORIZED SOLICITATION

Purpose

This policy protects the investment of exhibiting companies and ensures every organization doing business on the show floor participates as a contracted exhibitor. "Suitcasing" is when a manufacturer of a product or a service provider attends the show without purchasing exhibit space, and instead soliciting business from attendees in hotel rooms, hospitality suites, lounges, hallways, or other non-contracted areas, and is strictly prohibited.

Policy

  1. Booth space is required. Any commercial or service provider company or individual conducting business, demonstrating products, distributing literature, taking orders, or soliciting customers in connection with the show must have a contracted booth on the official show floor.
  2. Solicitation is confined to leased space. All sales activity, product demonstrations, and customer solicitation must take place within the exhibitor's own leased booth space. Exhibitors may not solicit business in aisles, other exhibitors' booths, meeting rooms, lobbies, or common areas. Sponsorships may provide an exception.
  3. Off-site solicitation is prohibited. No company, exhibitor, or individual, whether registered for the show or not, may use hotel rooms, hospitality suites, private showrooms, restaurants, or any other off-site location to show product, solicit orders, or conduct sales meetings in connection with the show, unless that location has been separately and formally sanctioned by show management and the represented company or brand is exhibiting at NAMM.
  4. Badges are for contracted exhibitors and their staff only. Badges may not be used to gain entry for the purpose of conducting unauthorized business. Obtaining a badge under false pretenses, or using a badge to access the show while conducting suitcasing activity, is a violation of this policy.

Enforcement

  • Any individual or company found in violation of this policy will have their badge(s) confiscated and revoked immediately, with no refund of badge or registration fees.
  • Show management reserves the right to take additional action, including removal from the show.

Reporting

Exhibitors and attendees who witness suspected suitcasing activity should report it to show management on-site. Reports will be reviewed and addressed promptly, and confidentiality will be maintained where possible.

Acknowledgment

By registering for and attending the show, all exhibitors, attendees, and their staff agree to comply with this policy as a condition of entry.