Ancillary Meeting Requests & Policy

HPBA uses a formal process for reviewing requests for these types of meetings to protect HPBExpo from any activities that detract from the industries’ premier annual expo, or that could undermine the investment made by its exhibitors, sponsors, attendees, and other stakeholders.

If you are interested in holding a meeting or event during HPBExpo, review our Ancillary Meeting Request & Policy.

Badges

All badges issued to member and non-member companies are to be used only by that company’s employees or family. Member and non-member companies are prohibited from providing any of their allotted badges to persons who are not employees or family.

Cameras and Photos

Cameras will be allowed on the show floor, but no picture taking – including cell phone pictures- is allowed without the express approval of a company representative in the exhibitor booth that is being photographed.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Refunds for registration, education courses, certification packages, and meetings and events less a $10 administrative fee will be made if the request is RECEIVED IN WRITING BY February 17, 2025. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER THAT DATE. HPBA and CompuSystems will not accept a cancellation/refund  request over the phone. No refunds for registration, education courses, certification packages, and meetings and events will be made for payments received on-site. See Exhibiting Trade Show Rules & Regulations for exhibit space cancellation and downsizing rules.

Children

In accordance with Exhibiting Trade Show Rules and Regulations and security measures, children under the age of 12 are prohibited from entering the Exhibit Hall, Outdoor Demonstration area, and events at any time, including infants. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Children 12 and older must have a badge to enter the Exhibit Hall, Outdoor Demonstration area, and events. Badge(s) can be added or purchased online through badge registration or at onsite registration. 

Code of Conduct Policy

By registering for HPBExpo25, all attendees and exhibitors agree to the following Code of Conduct:

HPBExpo/HPBA is committed to creating a safe and inviting environment for all attendees, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, nationality or religion. We invite all attendees to help make HPBExpo25 a safe and welcoming space for all attendees.

All communication during HPBExpo25 should be appropriate for a professional audience. We do not condone harassment of HPBExpo attendees or participants in any form. Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning conduct, including personal or political attacks, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images, trolling or sustained disruption of sessions will not be tolerated.

HPBExpo/HPBA reserves the right, at its discretion, to remove participants from the platform, without refund, for any unacceptable behavior or violation of the Code of Conduct. If you are being harassed or notice someone else being harassed during HPBExpo25, please contact HPBExpo staff immediately at expo@hpba.org for assistance.

Suitcasing & Outboarding Policy

As a premier event in the hearth, patio, and barbecue industry, HPBExpo is committed to providing all participants a fair and inclusive environment. We urge our sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees to comply with our Suitcasing & Outboarding policy, which is not only an HPBA policy but also a standard recognized by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. This policy will be strictly enforced. Review our full Suitcasing & Outboarding Policy.

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HPBA and HPBExpo List Solicitation Warning

As with many trade shows, bogus and no-name companies have been contacting HPBExpo exhibitors, attendees, and HPBA members, claiming to represent HPBExpo (and/or leaving out important information so that it’s ambiguous whether they represent us), offering HPBExpo attendee lists or industry contact lists and discounted hotel accommodations. They are likely combing through our online exhibitor list and doing their own research on how to contact you, as we do not list exhibitor phone or email addresses online in our exhibitor list.

As this continues to occur more and more, we want to ensure that you are aware that these companies have NO affiliation with HPBExpo. They do not have our attendee list. If you look at the breakdown of what some of these companies are offering, it does not match our audience. The lists they are offering are either self-gathered public information or a complete scam altogether.  Please do not purchase any list from any company or individual claiming to have use of HPBExpo’s database, attendees, or contact information, as we do not sell this information. It is our goal to inform you that you will most likely be contacted, and that you should not respond to these offers. We also ask that you forward these offers to us, so that we may send cease and desist letters, in an effort to fight off these solicitations.

The Federal Trade Commission Impersonation Rule Now in Effect as of Monday, April 1, 2024

From this point going forward, impersonation scams like hotel reservation scams and email list sale scams can be reported to the FTC here: https://reprtfraud.ftc.gove/#/

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