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Exhibitor Information Bulletins
IMPORTANT WARNING - FAIR GUIDE
We wish to issue a warning and disclaimer that we have absolutely nothing to do with, and are not associated in any way with a company called FAIR GUIDE.
If you receive any correspondence from Fairguide - Throw it away.
If you receive any e-mails from Fairguide - delete them immediately.
Fairguide.com/Construct Data Verlag is an Austrian-based organization registered in Switzerland that regularly publicizes its services to exhibitors at events, primarily in Europe. The company uses a misleading form, which resembles an organizer's Free Catalogue Listing Service, inviting exhibitors to sign and return the form for an entry in an on-line directory. Doing so contracts the purchaser into the three-year, non-retractable agreement. Non-payment is then followed by aggressive debt collecting by Premium RecoveryIt is important that the entire industry is made aware of activities relating to third parties contacting exhibitors for entries into show guides. An example of one such guide is ‘Fairguide’ (see below for more specific detail). We are strongly advising our members and all exhibitors to be vigilant against organizations such as this, who do not represent the good name developed within the exhibitions industry. All exhibitors must be more aware of such guides and more generally to carefully read small print details before signing any document.
Please also note that despite settling out of court and agreeing to stop sending out misleading forms, Fairguide/Construct Data have altered the look and format of their forms (including a new logo) and are continuing to send these to exhibitors.
Important Developments 2007/2008
On 13 February 2007 Construct Data Verlag signed an out of court settlement with the Schutzverband Gegen Unlauteren Wettbewerb (representing Austrian commercial interests in relation to unfair competition). The initial defense from Construct Data (who are behind the ‘Fair Guide’) was that the Schutzverband represents Austrian commerce and could therefore not act on behalf of companies outside the country. The Schutzverband for their part argued that CDs activities were so damaging to Austria’s reputation as to constitute a cause for concern to all Austrian businesses. The Schutzverband won this important argument and at this point CD settled out of court, essentially acceding to all the Schutzverband’s main demands. Despite this agreement CD have continued to mail 'new look' contracts and continue to demand payment.
Following more recent action by the Schutzverband, CD signed a further agreement on 21st February 2008. Summary of new undertaking:
1. Construct Data will cease mailing misleading forms from Austria to the EU, Switzerland and EWR (affiliate States of the EU like Liechtenstein)
2. Any persons who dispute the Contracts, regardless of the date of signing or their location can now cancel.
3. Complaints received by the Schutzverband will be forwarded to Construct Data and contracts annulled.
4. Construct Data may continue to demand money from persons who have made a payment, even if they disputed the contract and paid under duress, (however experience shows that when people make payments and then refuse further demands, Construct Data does not go to court).
5. Construct Data are free to mail forms from Outside Austria. We therefore recommend that ALL companies in dispute with Construct Data who feel deceived should refuse to pay. It is now important that any organization that feels it was mislead by Fairguide into signing a contract notifies them immediately.
If you require further guidance please view www.stopecg.org or contact cd@stopecg.org or the Austrian Embassy on london@wko.at
SECURITY - Exhibitors be warned
Do not rely upon locked cabinets on your stand overnight for secure storage of valuable items. A guarded "Secure" room is available for storing valuable items overnight.
Items should be brought to the cloakroom in the South Entrance at the close of the exhibition each day and picked up prior to the exhibition opening in the morning. (This service is also available for Monday night also).
Exhibitors will be required to pay a fee of EUR 1,80 per valuable item (see below) for insurance reasons. Valuable items handed in at the cloakroom will be brought directly to the "Secure" room and locked away. The "Secure" room will have an individual locking system that only GVS personnel have access to. A security officer will remain locked in the "Secure" room overnight.
GVS personnel will be responsible for your valuable items. Items handed in are insured up to a total max. of EUR 5.113,00 per hook / ticket (i.e. coat, hat, purse and technical item handed in together) after devaluation. This is the maximum amount insured on one hook.
However, some items are as follows insured: Laptops: max. EUR 1.023,00 / piece, Photo & video cameras: max. EUR 512,00 / piece, Purses & briefcase contents: max. EUR 103,00 / piece. Excluded are: Damage or theft of money and valuables in pockets of handed in items. Damage linked to the loss of the cloakroom ticket. Damage or loss to valuables that are not picked up until the closing of the wardrobe (until the end of the last exhibition day).
Please do not leave valuable items on your stand unattended or overnight. Please take items such as notebook computers, beamers, etc. home with you each night or use the "Secure" room to safeguard your valuables.
Umweltzone - Environmental Zone
Many German cities have created environmental zones within their city limits. Berlin created one that became effective January 1, 2008.
This environmental zone is inside the Berlin Highway and the Messe Berlin Fairground is outside. (Messedamm is the border ) so this should not cause a problem for lorries bringing freight to the exhibition. However you should notify your drivers to use the highway Nr. A10 from south of Berlin, cross Potsdam to Highway A 115 to Berlin to avoid any problems.
