Event Policies

Please note, the info about STOP! is required per our agreement with the DOC for the TEPP program. 

Code of Conduct

We believe our community should be truly open for everyone. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, or religion.  And as such, all attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, instructors, attendees, volunteers, media, show contractors and staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner before, during and after the event when communicating with each other to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

  • Be considerate, respectful, and courteous to others.
  • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior, materials and speech.
  • Refrain from wearing clothing that is not suitable for a professional work environment, that is provocative, or otherwise potentially offensive.

Unacceptable behavior & materials include, but are not limited to:

  • Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning materials or conduct by any attendees of the event and related event activities.
  • Physical, written, verbal or other abuse, intimidation, threats, annoyance, harassment, stalking, pushing, shoving or use of any physical force whatsoever against any person.  
  • Any boisterous, lewd or offensive behavior or language, including but not limited to using sexually explicit or offensive language, materials or conduct, or any language, behavior or content that contains profanity, obscene gestures, or racial, religious or ethnic slurs.
  • Horseplay, Roughhousing or any other behavior deemed unsafe. 
  • Failure to obey any rules or regulations of the Venue.
  • Falsely identifying yourself by wearing an event badge other than your own.
  • Suitcasing or solicitating event attendees without having a booth at the event.
  • Unethical, illegal or disruptive conduct such as tampering with another party’s exhibit or engaging in corporate espionage.
  • Taking photos of another exhibitor’s booth, products or display without permission.

Consequences of unacceptable behavior:

Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.  If any event participant engages in unacceptable behavior, IPC may take any action they deem appropriate, including expulsion from the event without warning or refund.

Unacceptable behavior by exhibitors or exhibitor personnel will also be subject to the following: 

  • Company will be moved to the end of the space selection process for the following year’s event (regardless of the lottery number drawn).
  • Company may be barred from exhibiting altogether for the following year’s event.

All determinations of appropriate or inappropriate behavior are in IPC’s sole discretion and the decision(s) of the IPC representatives on-site will be final.

What to do if you witness or are subjected to unacceptable behavior:

All such actions should be reported to IPC Show Management immediately.  All reports will remain completely confidential.

In any emergency situation please call the authorities immediately via the venue’s house phones.

Hospitality Policy - Exhibitor Networking Functions

For over 60 years, IPC has been consistent in its policy requesting that no one conduct or sponsor hospitality suites at IPC events. Any function that is not part of the “official program” is prohibited. The prohibited functions may include but are not limited to: banquets, breakfasts, luncheons, parties, hospitality suites, meetings, seminars, technical programs, sporting events, social functions or any other program during the event, from the first meeting to the close of the event.

What is allowed?

Only contracted exhibitors are allowed to meet with their employees and customers during IPC APEX EXPO providing prior approval is granted by IPC, non-exhibiting companies are not eligible to receive authorization for these functions.  Authorized exhibitor networking functions are only permitted on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, after 6:00 pm. A complete list of companies who have been approved by IPC to hold a networking function during IPC APEX EXPO will be added to this webpage.  If you’re invited to a function by a company who is not on this list, they have not been granted permission by IPC to hold such event. Invitations to non-authorized events should be reported to AliciaBalonek@ipc.org

Intellectual Property Protection

In 2005, the Department of Commerce created the Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) website to provide information and guidance to U.S. businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, on how to protect their intellectual property (IP). Intellectual property protection is critical to fostering innovation. Without protection of ideas, businesses and individuals would not reap the full benefits of their inventions and would focus less on research and development. For more information on Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!), visit: https://www.stopfakes.gov/welcome

Suitcasing Policy

IPC does not permit solicitation from non-exhibiting companies. Any individual that is observed participating in activities to solicit or sell products to event attendees or exhibitors without having a booth at the event (which is known as suitcasing) will be asked to leave immediately and will be banned from attending or exhibiting at IPC APEX EXPO for one year for the first offense and five years for the second offense. Please report suitcasing activities to IPC Show Management immediately.