Press Release

For Immediate Release
March 8, 2010
 
Contact: Mary Tucker
IAEE, Sr. PR/Communications Manager
+1 (972) 687-9226
mtucker@iaee.com
 

Bridal Show Scam Prompts a Warning to Attendees and Exhibitors by IAEE and IAAM

DALLAS – 8 March 2010 - A recent fraudulent incident in which criminals posted what by all appearances was a legitimate consumer show registration site on the Internet, resulted in 6,000 attendees and dozens of exhibitors losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The advertised event was entitled the “Boston 411 Home and Bridal Show” and was to be held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Both the FBI and city police officials are conducting an investigation.

The International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM) and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) together suggest that this matter should serve as a dramatic reminder that potential attendees and exhibitors must take additional precautions to establish the legitimacy of events, especially when dealing with unfamiliar Internet-only operations.

Among the recommendations of the two organizations:

     1. Know who you are dealing with. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of the event, ask the
        organizer for references including previous exhibitors before paying for space or tickets.
    
     2. Contact the local convention and visitors bureau and the facility at which the event is reported
        to be scheduled and confirm that the event organizer event has actually consummated a legal
        contract for exhibit space.

     3. Convention and exhibition halls and convention and visitors bureaus are urged not to list any
        events for which a contract has not been properly executed on their public schedules. Doing so
        enables fraud rather than preventing it.

     4. Check with industry organizations such as the International Association of Exhibitions and
        Events (www.iaee.com) or the International Association of Assembly Managers (www.iaam.org)
        to determine if the organizer of the event is recognized as a legitimate organizer.

About IAEE
Established in 1928, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) provides quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE. Through the 2006 consolidation with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), IAEE delivers valuable industry research reports. IAEE also supports IAEE Services, the IAEE Public Events Council, The International Center for Exhibitor and Event Marketing, and the Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission, which are IAEE councils that provide products, programs and information to members. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: American Airlines, ASP, Inc., Bearcom, Mexico Tourism Board, Orange County Convention Center and Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.

About IAAM
The International Association of Assembly Managers is the world's largest professional association dedicated to issues relevant to the management of public assembly venues. Members of the association manage public assembly venues such as amphitheaters, arenas, auditoriums, convention centers/exhibit halls, performing arts venues, stadiums and university complexes; or provide products, services or attractions to support the industry. IAAM has more than 3,600 members worldwide. More information is available at www.iaam.org.  

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