The history of cooperation between exhibitors and Branches/Districts holding meetings with trade shows has always been remarkable and benevolent through the years. It is in that spirit of cooperation that the ATA has prepared this paper for scrutiny by host committees.

Exhibitors showing at trade shows anticipate that they will have an occasion to display their products and services as well as have an opportunity to maintain and develop new relationships with clients and potential clients. For that opportunity, they are happy to pay reasonable exhibit space fees.

Since the proceeds from rental of exhibit space for any meeting become a substantial financial contribution for the host organization, it remains important that a continuing dialogue is kept between exhibitor representatives and planning committees.

The exhibit area at trade shows should be an ancillary learning facility for all meeting delegates and afford a (win-win) equitable environment for both attendees and commercial exhibitors.

Exhibitor concerns concerning meeting deficiencies have been, until now, seldom voiced to incoming planning committees and some issues are annually replicated. The ATA represents most of the companies which regularly attend all such meetings, and, therefore, speaks for all exhibitors in terms of trade show equity. Click here to see concerns which the ATA has with local and district lab animal science meetings with trade shows, for which we offer suggestions.

While all of our concerns are certainly not present at all meetings, the list offers items of current concern and what we feel are good resolutions for an equitable association between meeting host organizations and exhibitors. There are a myriad of protocols and procedures already in place at all such meetings, which have been addressed and implemented. The list shows just those which need some additional focus at this time.