HF+B show finds oopsie on renewal contracts that lack early-bird discount, offers make-good to all

Renewal contracts for 2008 Health & Fitness Business show exhibitors went out per normal last November, but it wasn’t until this week that management realized there had been a bit of a boo-boo.

Instead of sending contracts with the early-bird discount — the same rate as 2008 for renewals by Dec. 31 for the 2009 show — a standard contract with the new 2009 rate was sent. That included a 3.4 percent increase in booth fees intended only for new exhibitors or later contracts.

When sales manager Andria Klinger came back from a two-week holiday, she said she wondered why there had been so few renewals — much lower than normal especially considering the emphasis on business education for 2009. So she began investigating, and she heard about manufacturers questioning rates and, in a few cases, about outright angry exhibitors.

“I realized this on Tuesday,” she said. “Most got the standard contract instead of the renewal contract with the early-bird discount, but some who contacted us individually did get the early-bird contract.

“Essentially we wanted to offer an incentive to customers who participated in 2008 to participate in 2009 and get a flat rate,” she added.

Group show director Andy Tompkins said they have also heard about costs continuing to be an issue, particularly in this economy. To make it right, the team has extended the 2008 “early-bird” rate through Feb. 16. It will be available to anybody who signs up by then, even new exhibitors.

“It’s our hope people who take advantage of the 2009 event will take advantage of this rate,” Tompkins said.

With the current economic situation and the trying times for retailers, Tompkins said the show will be finalizing in the next couple of months education and activities that will help retailers develop their business. That may include some pre-show activities the day before the 2009 HFB show officially opens, as well as educational events and speakers.

He said the show will also “be as aggressive as possible in getting key retailers to the show.” 

For questions or to check on renewal contracts, contact your sales rep or sales manager Klinger at Andria.Klinger@nielsen.com, or go to the show website’s page with exhibitor information by clicking here.



SNEWS® View: SNEWS would like to hear from you about the kind of activities, education, speakers or topics you would like to have at the Aug. 6-7 show. In addition, if there are events with a business emphasis the afternoon before or the evening before, we’d like to hear if you would consider coming on Wednesday. Drop us a note at hfbevents@snewsnet.com with any feedback. All is appreciated and we will share the information received, not the sender’s name, with show management.