With so many people in one building, it is our goal to ensure the safety of and enjoyment for all attendees and exhibitors at the 2011 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo. We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to the Official Show Policies, which have been categorized based on attendee type.
General Policies for All Attendees and Exhibitors
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Badges
Your registration fee determines your admission level to FNCE events. Badges are color coded by type and are required for admittance to the Expo and to all Conference educational sessions — they must be worn at all times while attending conference and expo events in the Convention and Exhibition Center. Badges will be printed on-site and are not mailed — please bring your registration confirmation letter (which contains a unique registration bar code) to the on-site registration center.
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Cancellation/Refund Policy
Requests for refunds or exhibitor cancellations must be submitted in writing. Registration refunds must be postmarked at least 30 days before the event and may be subject to a processing fee; requests postmarked after this date will not be accepted. Refunds for ADAF-sponsored events may not be granted and will be considered as donations to the ADA Foundation. Exhibitors wishing to cancel or down size their booth space must inform ADA by May 1, 2011; no refunds will be issued to companies who cancel or down size their booth space after this date. Any paid exhibition space not occupied by 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 24 may be reassigned without refund.
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Children
To provide all FNCE attendees an optimal learning environment, children under the age of 16 are not permitted into the education sessions* or the Expo floor during show hours, installation or dismantling. Children ages 16 and older must be registered for the conference and must be accompanied by an adult for admission. Childcare is not available at the Pennsyslvania Convention Center; however, your hotel concierge may be able to assist you. Please call ahead of time for more information.
* Exceptions will be made for nursing mothers attending educational sessions.
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Distribution of Food/Beverages
Food and beverage distributors or manufacturers who are also confirmed exhibitors that would like to distribute food and/or beverages from their exhibition booth must submit a Sampling Authorization Form for review and approval. The use of propane, butane or any other combustible gas is prohibited. Product sampling policies and procedures are determined by the exclusive food and beverage vendor of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, ARAMARK Catering.
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Literature and Product Distribution
No person, firm or organization not having contracted with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) for the occupancy of space in the Expo or the Product Marketplace will be permitted to display or demonstrate its products, processes or services, or distribute promotional materials in or on the premises of the Expo, Convention Center, or any other FNCE location. Any infringement of this rule will result in the removal of the offending person or persons. Circulars or other promotional material may only be distributed from an Exhibitor's assigned booth space. All speakers and presenters are required to abide by the Academy Commercialism Policy, which prohibits commercial or promotional messages in the context of educational sessions.
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Photography/Videography
The Academy hires a professional photographer to capture the excitement of the annual Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo educational sessions, Expo and other activities. Due to the distraction to the speakers, we ask that you do not take personal photographs during educational sessions. All FNCE attendees submit a photography waiver as part of the registration process, which gives permission to the Academy (and all other media) to use their likeness.
Working members of the press are required to check in at the Press Room, receive an authorized press badge and be escorted by an Academy staff person in order to photograph and/or videotape at the show. Exhibitors who do not want the press to photograph or video tape their booth should inform the Press Room staff on-site. Exhibitors are permitted to photograph and/or video tape their own booth — contact Academy Show Management for details and restrictions. No other photography or videography is permitted.
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Rolling Carts/Strollers
For safety reasons, rolling carts, rolling bags, strollers and bags with wheels are not permitted on the show floor during show hours. Coat check is available to store these items. This policy does not apply to participants with medically necessary mobility equipment.
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Smoking
FNCE is a non-smoking meeting. Smoking is not permitted in or around any meeting space at the hotels or the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
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Suitcasing/Unofficial Exhibiting
All promotions and product sampling must be done from a contracted exhibit space. Any attendee or group that hands out flyers, approaches neighboring exhibit booths to sell products, leaves and/or distributes product information in public spaces or the Expo floor aisles, or "roams" the event venue should be reported to the Show Office. Exhibitors who violate this policy will be sent back to their booth space and materials left behind will be recycled. Attendees practicing these tactics may be asked to leave the show and forfeit their badge.