Show Policies

Register Now

By attending the Show, all attendees and exhibitors (“you”) agree to comply with these SFA (“SFA” or “we” or “our”) policies, rules, and terms.

The Fancy Food Show is a specialty food trade-only event: Only businesses related to the specialty food industry may attend. The Show is not open to the general public. Each attendee must be either a buyer or engaged in other SFA-permitted activities related to the exhibitors at the Show.
 

Policies Applicable to All Attendees and Exhibitors

Manner of Conduct: 

  • All attendees are expected to engage with each other in a professional manner and maintain a business decorum at all times. Harassment of other attendees in any form is strictly prohibited.
  • We and our security personnel may, at our and their discretion, remove any attendee at any time and without notice based on a determination that the attendee is violating this policy.
  • Accessibility devices, like wheelchairs and motorized scooters are permitted on the show floor and available for rent onsite. Personal mobility devices, with or without motors (such as hoverboards, skateboards, uni-wheels, etc.), are prohibited on the show floor.
  • Attendees may not use the event to engage in any action that violates U.S. or local law, including theft of intellectual property or violations of the U.S. antitrust laws, such as by facilitating an agreement on product pricing, warranty terms, wages, or suppliers or customers with which they will contract. 

Legal Rights: 

  • Assumption of Risk. You acknowledge that attending the Show may involve, without limitation: (a) strenuous physical activity, (b) contact with allergens such as nuts, peanuts, and other food items, and (c) contact with unidentified and unfamiliar persons. You understand that those and other aspects of the Show may involve the risk of injury, disability, death, property damage, and other damages (collectively, “Damages”). You acknowledge that any Damages sustained may result from or be compounded by the actions, omissions, or negligence of the SFA, the Show venue operator, or their contractors, including negligent emergency response operations. Notwithstanding the risk, you acknowledge that you are voluntarily participating with knowledge of the risk involved and agree to accept and assume any and all risks of Damages.
     
  • General Release for Injury; Indemnification. You expressly waive and release (on behalf of yourself and your heirs, assigns, executors, and administrators) any and all claims, now or hereafter known, against the SFA and each of their officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers, contractors, affiliates, successors, and assigns (“Releasees”) on account of any Damages arising out of or attributable to my involvement in the Show, whether resulting from negligence or otherwise. You covenant not to make or bring any such claim against the SFA or any other Releasee, and forever release and discharge the Releasees from liability for such claims. This is a general release, as broad as legally permissible. You also agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Releasees against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, and expenses arising out of any claim of a third party arising from your participation.
     
  • Medical Treatment. You consent to receive medical treatment deemed necessary if you are injured or require medical attention during the Show. You are solely responsible for all costs related to medical treatment and any related medical transportation. You release, forever discharge, and hold harmless the Releasees from any claim based on such treatment or other medical services.
     
  • Information/Publicity/Photos. Only credentialed media are permitted to photograph and video record all areas of the show. Exhibitors are permitted to photograph or video only their own booth. Taking photos or videos of other exhibitor booths and products is prohibited. You grant and license to the SFA the worldwide, perpetual, and sub-licensable right to display, transmit, broadcast, reproduce, record, photograph, digitize, modify, create derivative works from, and otherwise use my name, photograph, likeness, image, voice, and professional and personal biographical information, and any materials created by the SFA incorporating the foregoing (“Materials”), in any and all media, including social media, for any purpose related to the promotion, advertisement, or public discussion of the Show or the SFA. Materials will be owned by the SFA. You have no right to review or approve the Materials before they are used by the SFA, and the SFA has no liability to me for any alteration of the Materials. Additionally, the SFA will use your data in accordance with its Privacy Policy, available on its website.
     
  • Governing Law; Disputes. This policy is governed by the laws of New York, without consideration of any choice or conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising under this policy may exclusively be brought in confidential arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association before a single arbitrator sitting in New York City, on an individual basis (no class actions), with costs and attorney’s fees paid by the prevailing party.
     
  • Any matters not specifically covered in this policy or in the Exhibit Space Terms and Conditions or the venue rules are subject to the unilateral discretion of the SFA. 

Additional Policies Applicable to Exhibitors

Code of Conduct 

  • Exhibitors must comply with the Exhibit Space Terms and Conditions signed at the time of booth registration, as well as this policy and any additional rules imposed by the event venue. SFA and the Show venue each reserves the right to change, amend, or add to this policy and the rules of the venue. Any conflicts with this policy are governed by the Exhibit Space Terms and Conditions.
     
  • All exhibitors must also comply with the SFA’s Code of Ethics, available here.
     
  • Exhibitors may not access or enter the booth space of any other exhibitor without permission, nor use or take possession of the items in another’s booth space without permission.
     
  • No exhibitor may be under 16 years of age, regardless of affiliation or circumstances. 

Material Distribution and Promotional Activities 

  • Bags: Attendees will be provided with one official SFA Tote Bag for collection of samples and to transport exhibitors’ products and promotional items. All collected samples must fit in one official SFA Tote Bag upon exiting the exhibit halls. Any additional samples will be donated to charity. Attendees attempting to exit the Show venue with products and samples in non-approved tote bags will be required to transfer any samples or products to one official, SFA-issued tote bag. Oversized shopping bags, backpacks, briefcases with dimensions exceeding 20” x 20” x 10” are prohibited. Wheeled carts, bags, and luggage can pose a trip hazard and are prohibited in the exhibit halls.
     
  • Self-Promotional Bags: Exhibitors wishing to provide self-promotional bags may do so but must recognize that these items are not acceptable substitutes for the one official SFA tote bag. The SFA discourages the distribution of self-promotional bags, as it may cause frustration to attendees who are required to transfer samples to the one SFA-issued tote when exiting the Show floor.
     
  • Sales at the Show: This is an “order-writing” show only. Under state sales tax requirements, selling items at the Show is strictly prohibited. Merchandise may not be delivered, nor may payments be made onsite during the Show. Sales activity will result in the closure of Exhibitor’s booth.
     
  • Sound Levels: Sound levels of presentations must reasonably be kept within the booth area and must not interfere with neighboring exhibits. Displays found to be objectionable due to noise level, extending beyond the booth space, or interfering with other exhibitors will result in the closure of the Exhibitor’s booth. Playing music is prohibited, unless that is the product you are selling.
     
  • Solicitation and Handouts: All exhibiting activities must be confined to the Exhibitor’s booth. The distribution of literature, samples, or other material outside of your Exhibit Space is strictly prohibited. This includes mascots and sales representatives. Distribution of any items apart from samples and literature regarding Exhibitor’s products and services is prohibited without the SFA’s prior written approval.
     
  • Contests; Celebrities: Exhibitors may not conduct contests, sweepstakes, or games of chance at the show. If you plan to have a guest celebrity in your booth, you must contact the SFA in advance to make appropriate arrangements for access, security, and photos.
     
  • Other Activity: Exhibitors may not use exhibit space or attendance for the purpose of employee recruitment. 

Additional Policies Applicable to Attendees 

  • Attendee Activities: Sales and marketing activities by attendees are prohibited. Attendees may not engage during the event in activities that detract from exhibitors’ ability to conduct business, such as by advertising their services, or by taking samples or asking questions of exhibitors for the undisclosed purposes of research and development, or commercial or personal use or evaluation.
     
  • Minimum Age: No attendee under 18 (including infants) is permitted on the show floor at any time, regardless of affiliation or circumstances.
     
  • Bags: Attendees will be provided with one official SFA Tote Bag for collection of samples and to transport exhibitors’ products and promotional items. All collected samples must fit in one official SFA Tote Bag upon exiting the exhibit halls. Any additional samples will be donated to charity. Attendees attempting to exit the Show venue with products and samples in non-approved tote bags will be required to transfer any samples or products to one official, SFA-issued tote bag. Oversized shopping bags, backpacks, briefcases with dimensions exceeding 20” x 20” x 10” are prohibited. Wheeled carts, bags, and luggage can pose a trip hazard and are prohibited in the exhibit halls.
     
  • Fees:
    • 100 percent refund: Request refund by April 15, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET
    • 50 percent refund: Request refund by June 21, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET
      Please note: No refunds will be issued after Friday, January 21, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET. This policy applies to standard registration fees as well as fees for any add-on programs or services.
       
  • Badges: The SFA and its contractors may refuse admission and revoke your badge at any time. All show attendees and exhibiting personnel must provide a matching valid government issued photo ID upon request; show security may check IDs throughout the Show, and if the ID does not match the badge credentials, security may confiscate the badge and remove the individual. The sharing of badges is not permitted. Badges cannot be re-produced, transferred, or resold.