The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is striving to help all exhibitors have a successful SHOT Show®. As such we are mandating increased measures to protect exhibitors from "suitcasing/outboarding" at the show. This is NSSF's Suitcasing/Outboarding Policy, which will be posted using signage around the exhibit hall and included in the onsite guide for all attendees.
Statement of Intent
In order to protect our valued exhibitors and the investment they have made in attending the SHOT Show, thereby supporting NSSF's mission as the industry's trade association, our rules strictly prohibit solicitation, "suitcasing" or "outboarding" by attendees who transact business at the show or in SHOT Show hotels and do NOT have exhibit booths. By suitcasing or outboarding the show, an attendee gains an unfair competitive advantage over SHOT Show exhibitors that have invested money and other resources to exhibit and deprives NSSF as the show's owner of income we use to support our many program and initiatives.
What is Suitcasing and Outboarding?
"Suitcasing" and "Outboarding" are unethical parasitic business practices in which non-exhibitors attempt to gain access to trade show attendees. "Suitcasing" refers to those non-exhibiting companies or persons who go to shows as an attendee but "work the aisles" from their suitcase (briefcase) and solicit business in the aisles or lobby area. "Outboarding" refers to non-exhibiting companies that set up exhibits at off-site locations—hotel hospitality suites or restaurants—and encourage show attendees to leave the show floor and spend time with them. These practices skirt the support of the organizer and the industry.
Examples may include but are not limited to:
- A non-exhibitor sets up a hospitality room off the show floor and invites attendees to leave the show floor and visit their suite.
- A non-exhibitor sends out alerts to potential customers that while they will not be exhibiting this year they will have personnel walking the show floor and will be offering a SHOT Show Special. (This would also involve trademark infringement.)
- A non-exhibitor piggybacks on the activities of a third party such as a vendor or partner who is exhibiting.
What are the Consequences of Suitcasing or Outboarding the SHOT Show?
Please note that any SHOT Show attendee, who is observed to be soliciting business in the aisles or other public spaces, or uninvited attendees in another company's booth, will be asked to leave immediately. Likewise, known commercial activity conducted from a hotel guest room or hospitality suite, a restaurant or any other public place in proximity to
the SHOT Show by non-exhibiting companies, will be shut down. Those found to be involved with "suitcasing" or "outboarding" will no longer be welcome at the SHOT Show.
The Suitcasing Prevention Team
NSSF has created a Suitcasing Prevention Team that will be in place for the duration of the conference. The team will consist of NSSF staff, conference security, and the most important member of the team, YOU! Exhibitors will be our greatest asset in preventing suitcasing since there are so many of you and you are everywhere.
What to Look For
Identifying potential "suitcasers" and "outboarders" is fairly simple, given the nature of our event. First, look for those non-exhibitor attendees who appear to be initiating contact in aisles or in booths. Second, any attendee who appears to be handing anything out in the aisles may be suitcasing, because as we all know, distribution of anything is restricted to exhibitor's booth space unless otherwise approved by NSSF. Third, "outboarders' can be identified by their invitation (written or oral) to do business with them off site—if they don't have an exhibit booth, they are "outboarding."
What Can You Do?
Please report any violations you may observe to the Exhibit Manager, other NSSF Staff, or conference security. The Exhibit Manager will investigate all complaints of suitcasing.
Upon receipt of a complaint from an exhibitor, NSSF will review the complaint with the reporting party and if possible observe the suspected suitcaser. NSSF will then address the issued directly with the subject of the complaint. If found to be valid, the complaint will be resolved by offering the suitcasing company the option of immediately purchasing booth space on the floor (if available) or surrendering the conference credentials and leaving the premises at once.
Questions?
If you have questions regarding this or any matter relating to NSSF events, please contact: