An Austrian Internet company, posing as the publisher of official exhibition guides for South African trade fairs, is soliciting money from local exhibitors.
Exhibitions for Africa recommends it be ignored.
Exhibitions for Africa issued a warning to all exhibitors partaking in the Futurex / Equip / Securex Cape show, to dismiss a form e-mailed recently by a company named Fairguide.
"This is not the official visitor guide; it is misleading as it implies it is being sent by us, the organiser of the show, resembling an organiser`s free directory listing form. The fine print cleverly conceals that exhibitors have to pay for the listing. Exhibitors who sign the form are then committed to a three-year, non-refundable contract," the company says.
Sandra Galbraith, Exhibitions for Africa director, recommended yesterday at a briefing for the Cape Futurex show: "That if anyone receives this e-mail they bin it immediately."
Galbraith said some South African exhibitors have paid money under the impression that Fairguide was the official listing for the upcoming events. Some have paid between $200 and $300 (R1 400 and R2 100) for a listing.
The UK-based Association of Exhibition Organisers (AEO) has issued its own statement condemning Fairguide`s tactics and warning exhibitors to steer clear of it. The AEO`s Web site includes copies of the typical form sent to exhibitors, as well as a recommended response letter for exhibitors to send Fairguide when asked for payment.
The Fairguide site, run by "Construct Data" says it has no legal, commercial or organisational connection with fair organisers.
"Construct Data Verlag AG does not operate on behalf of or with the endorsement of organisers. It is this status which enables the Fairguide to contribute independently and objectively to the exhibition industry. The names of the shows mentioned may be registered trademarks to which Construct Data has no claims," the Fairguide site says.
The South African exhibitions are listed on the site. At the time of publication, Construct Data had not responded to an e-mail query.
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