Market Contract Terms

Exhibitor Responsibilities

Exhibitor is responsible for timely return of show contracts, all appropriate fees including payment of any past in debtedness. All fees must accompany contract or it will be returned. Signature on contract signifies understanding and agreement with Shoe Market of the Americas (SMOTA) contract terms. Failure to comply with provisions as set forth will subject exhibitor to penalties, expulsion, suspension and/or denial of the privilege to be an exhibitor. This or any other disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the Directors of SMOTA.

Liability

Each exhibitor agrees to hold harmless SMOTA / FT LAUDERDALE CONVENTION CENTER from any and all liability that might ensue from any cause whatsoever, including accidents or injuries to exhibitors, their agents or employees. Exhibitors assume all responsibility for accident, injury or property damage to any person viewing his/her exhibit, where such accident, injury or property damage is caused by negligence of EXHIBITOR, his/her agent or employee.

Destruction of Property

In the event that, because of war, fire, strike, government regulation, public catastrophe, act of God or the public enemy or other cause beyond the control of the association, the show or any part thereof is prevented from being held, is cancelled by the Association in its sole discretion shall determine and refund to the Exhibitor the proportionate share of the balance of aggregate exhibit fees received which remains after deducting expenses incurred by SMOTA and reasonable compensation to the Association, but in no case shall the amount of refund to the Exhibitor exceed the amount of the exhibit paid.

Insurance

Exhibitor shall maintain such insurance as will fully protect Show management and the SMOTA / FT LAUDERDALE CONVENTION CENTER from any and all claims of any nature, including claims under Workman’s Compensation Act, and claims for damages for property damage and personal injury including death which may arise from the operations of exhibit in connection with his/her rental.

Room Assignments

All contracts received on or before printed market deadlines will be assigned according to category, and by (points) seniority of membership until the registration deadline. Contracts received after the deadline date will then have space assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Failure to be at the Market (no show) will cost the exhibitor 100% of his/her market and space fee. SMOTA reserves the right to adjust requested footage or rooms based on space availability.

Cancellation

IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATION, VERBAL NOTICE MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOLLOWED BY WRITTEN CONFIRMATION OF THE SAME.THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS AFTER THE MARKET DIRECTORY GOES TO PRINT.

Convention Center

No member may reassign, sublet or share with or to any party any showroom/Convention Center booth or hotel exhibit space assigned to such member at any market event unless permission is granted in writing by the Convention Committee. The only exception to this provision is that members who have incorporated their sales businesses shall be authorized to let such personal corporations use such show room or exhibit areas, provided that such members must be present or in control of showroom/booth areas during the entire market.

Market Directory

The Market Directory is published as a service of SMOTA for the benefit of exhibitors and their customers. Every reasonable effort is taken to make it accurate, but SMOTA assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions. Responsibility for complete and correct copy listings for the directory rests with exhibitors. SMOTA assumes no responsibility for the directory listings for contracts received after deadline date.

Rules & Regulations

The following Rules and Regulations shall be observed by all Exhibitors at all times:

Buttonholing of customers is prohibited.
If a salesperson comes in from any territory to work, even one customer, in your exhibit area during market, they MUST pay a market fee.
A salesperson in your exhibit area whose name is not in the show directory, is not registered, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FEES. Any salesperson who permits another to use their room or booth without having paid market fees will be called before the Ethics Committee which retains the right to close exhibit space for duration of market, cancel membership, or both. This does not apply to bonafide executives.
If an executive or sales manager from your company replaces you at any of SMOTA’s market, he/she must join and is responsible for all necessary fees. Management is invited to attend market with you at no charge.
All exhibit areas must be manned and remain open during published market hours, subject to a $500 fine.
NO PACKING OF MERCHANDISE PERMITTED DURING MARKET HOURS.
Directors of SMOTA reserve the right at all times to clear the Market of persons acting in an objectionable manner.
ALL Shoe Market of the Americas members will be required to exhibit in open booths, showrooms or hotel exhibit space in order to be listed in the market directory.
BADGES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES