Code of Conduct

Due to numerous complaints about ‘canvassing’ (‘suit-casing’) over the last few years, our exhibitors have asked SPATEX to put a policy into place to prevent this practice from impacting the business of legitimate exhibitors.

Exhibitors can expect SPATEX to intervene anywhere within the confines of the Coventry Building Society Arena complex to prevent these non-exhibitors from carrying out business when they have not paid to do so.  This will reduce the chances of customers being taken away from exhibitors.

‘Canvassing’ (or ‘suit-casing’) refers to non-exhibiting companies or persons who solicit business in the aisles during the exhibition or in other public spaces, including another company's stand.  Actions that may be deemed to be canvassing, as examples, include talking with exhibitors/visitors and handing out leaflets, business cards or other promotional materials.

‘Out-boarding’ refers to non-exhibiting companies or persons that set up exhibits, or meetings outside the exhibition hall (e.g. refreshment áreas, hotel hospitality suites). 

SPATEX organisers are making preparations for its upcoming event and doing its best to help all exhibitors have a successful show. As such, we are mandating increased measures to protect exhibitors from ‘canvassing’, etc. at SPATEX 2025.

SPATEX has a zero-tolerance policy regarding ‘canvassing’. Please note that while all  attendees are invited to the exhibition floor, any attendee who is observed to be ‘canvassing’ for business in the aisles or other public spaces, or on another company’s stand, will be asked to cease this behaviour, and will be asked to leave immediately, if it persists.

SPATEX recognises that ‘out-boarding’ can take the form of commercial activity conducted from a hotel guest room or hospitality suite, a restaurant, or any other public place in proximity to our event. For the purposes of this policy, ‘out-boarding’ violations may occur at venues other than the exhibition floor and at other events. It is for this reason SPATEX must be informed of any hospitality suites where business is being transacted by exhibitors, and consent must be obtained from SPATEX prior to the event. Your co-operation would be greatly appreciated.  Please note that companies not exhibiting will not be granted permission by SPATEX and the Coventry Building Society Arena to hire rooms in the complex during the SPATEX tenancy.

This is SPATEX’s ‘Canvassing/Out-boarding’ Policy, which will be posted on the website and signage around the exhibition hall.

If you suspect any company of ‘canvassing/out-boarding’, please report this immediately to the Organisers’ Office, or call the Floor Manager on +44 7785 793366 and a member of the SPATEX Team will respond directly.

SPATEX Show Management will respond to all complaints regarding canvassing, etc.  If Show Management deems that a person or company is canvassing, etc., they will be asked to stop this behaviour and will then be asked to leave the premises immediately, if the behaviour persists. A letter will be sent to the Company notifying them of this offence. Other penalties can include being barred from future shows (for a specified period of time) as an attendee or exhibitor. 

SPATEX is proud of its role to provide a show for the Industry and with your help, we can make it a safe and enjoyable event for everyone.

Please see below the Show Code of Conduct

SPATEX organisers expect all Exhibitors and Attendees that are present at SPATEX 2025 to engage in respectful, considerate behaviour towards each other.  Exhibitors and Attendees are also asked to refrain from engaging in behaviour or speech that is demeaning, discriminatory or harassing in any manner.

The SPATEX 2025’s Code of Conduct defines unacceptable behaviour as anything that includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Creating a disturbance that is dangerous or interferes with the ability to transact business on the show floor, or creates apprehension in another person.
• Engaging in any aggressive or unwanted physical contact with other exhibitors, attendees and/or general staff.
• Making defamatory, harassing or demeaning remarks.
• Use of profanity, sexually explicit/suggestive or offensive language, racial, religious or ethnic slurs.
• Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated at the venue.
• Participants in violation of these policies, at the sole discretion of management, will either be asked to leave immediately (depending on the severity of what was said or done) or will be asked to discontinue their inappropriate behaviour. If the behaviour continues, management reserves the right to take immediate action to bar the attendee or the exhibitor from further participation at SPATEX 2025, without the right of refund for any unused days, or any costs associated with the trade show.

We may update our Code of Conduct from time to time. Thus, you are advised to review this page periodically for any changes. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Code of Conduct on this page. These changes are effective immediately after they are posted on this page.