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AWCI Advertising, Exhibiting and Sponsorship Policy

September 9, 2025

This policy outlines the guiding principles and procedures for all advertising, exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities with the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) and the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (FWCI) (together, “we,” “our,” “us”).

AWCI recognizes the importance of our advertising, exhibiting and sponsorship partnerships. We value the participation of all relevant companies and understand that this may include companies and organizations promoting competitive, innovative and even market disruptive offerings.

Definitions

Advertiser: Any individual, organization, or entity that purchases or contracts for space, placement, or visibility in our print or digital media.

Exhibitor: Any individual, organization, or entity that registers to showcase, demonstrate, display, or promote products/services at our events (e.g., BUILD Expo). This includes those occupying booth space, participating in displays, or engaging in any form of exhibition activity intended to interact with attendees, generate leads, or enhance visibility within the event environment.

Promotional Activity: Any advertising, exhibiting, or sponsorship across our print or digital media, as well as at our events, webinars, or other initiatives hosted by us.

Sponsor: Any individual, organization, or entity providing financial contributions, or in-kind support, or other resources in exchange for promotional recognition, branding opportunities, or strategic visibility at events, webinars, or other initiatives hosted by us.

General Policy for Advertising, Exhibiting and Sponsorship

  • Scope: This policy applies to all Advertisers, Exhibitors and Sponsors engaged in Promotional Activity.
  • Relevance: All advertised products, services and sponsored initiatives must be relevant and of value to the wall and ceiling industry and related sectors.
  • Approval and Discretion: All Promotional Activity is subject to our approval and applicable terms and conditions provided by us. We reserve the absolute right to refuse or reject any application for
  • Promotional Activity at any time for any reason without liability. The acceptability of any Promotional Activity will be based on legal, social, professional and ethical considerations.
  • Disclaimer of Endorsement: Acceptance, publication, or display of Promotional Activity does not constitute an endorsement, approval, warranty, or guarantee by us of the Advertiser, Exhibitor Sponsor, or any of their products, services or representations. We expressly disclaim any and all liability for claims, statements, or representations made in or as part of the Promotional Activity.
  • Content Standards:
    • All statements and illustrations should meet professional standards and should not be deceptive or misleading.
    • Content should not disparage others
    • Content should not include unsupported claims that lack proper substantiation or otherwise fail to comply with applicable law (for example, Federal Trade Commission regulations and similar state laws). Adherence to any and all legal and regulatory requirements relating to Advertisers,’ Exhibitors,’ or Sponsors’ products, services, and Promotional Activity is the sole responsibility of such Advertisers, Exhibitors, and Sponsors.
  • Competitive Activity: We value the participation of all relevant Advertisers, Exhibitors, and Sponsors. This may result in Promotional Activity promoting competitive, innovative and even market disruptive offerings to Advertisers,’ Exhibitors’ or Sponsors’ products and services. Promotional Activity for products and services deemed to be contrary to the spirit and purpose of AWCI and FWCI are subject to approval by the AWCI chief executive officer.
  • Antitrust Compliance: Advertisers, Exhibitors and Sponsors should review AWCI’s Antitrust Policy, and should know that we cannot create unlawful restraints on trade, including the favoring of a single manufacturer, product or service. The guiding principle is whether the offerings are relevant and valuable to our industry and audience, and whether a refusal to accept it would be in the best interest of our members and the industry, while upholding competitive neutrality.
  • Ownership: Advertisers, Exhibitors and Sponsors should not use any information, materials or any other property (including intellectual property) owned by a third party without authorization from the applicable third party. We do not review information, materials or any other property before it is utilized at exhibitions and cannot ensure prompt removal of objectionable material.
  • AWCI/FWCI Name: When using our names and member logos, please follow these guidelines:
    • AWCI Name: The first time the name is mentioned in any promotional material, the full name, “Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry,” must be used. After that, the Advertisers, Exhibitors or Sponsors can use the abbreviation AWCI.
    • FWCI Name: The first time the name is mentioned in any promotional material, the full name, “Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry” must be used. After that, Advertisers, Exhibitors or Sponsors can use the abbreviation FWCI.
    • Member Logo: If Advertisers, Exhibitors or Sponsors are current AWCI members, such Advertisers, Exhibitors or Sponsors can use the official AWCI member logo on its website, business cards, and marketing materials. Advertisers, Exhibitors or Sponsors are permitted to use this logo for as long as Advertisers,’ Exhibitors’ or Sponsors’ company location maintains its membership.
    • Event-Specific Logos (see section below): Sponsors or Exhibitors at an AWCI event may also use the specific logo provided for that event if we provide that logo to such Sponsor or Exhibitor. This helps with consistent branding and promotion. Please request this logo from the AWCI event contact.
  • AWCI and FWCI Disclaimer: The following disclaimers, as updated from time to time, will be published in all publications and exhibit/sponsorship contracts:
    • For Publications: “Publication of an article, or advertisement, in any [AWCI/FWCI] publication does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement of the quality, safety or effectiveness of any products or services described therein or of the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any of the representations or claims made or information provided by the author(s) or manufacturer(s) with respect to such products or services.”
    • For Exhibits/Sponsorships: “Presentation or advertisement, at any [AWCI/FWCI] expo, convention, or meeting does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement of the quality, safety or effectiveness of any products or services described therein or of the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any of the representations or claims made or information provided by the author(s) or manufacturer(s) with respect to such products or services.”

BUILD: AWCI’s Convention + Expo Specific Policies

  • Booth/Display Area Conduct and Staffing:
    • Exhibitors are to staff their booths during all official expo hours.
    • Exhibitor is responsible for returning and restoring the exhibit space to the same condition in which it existed prior to the Exhibitor’s occupancy and use.
    • All booth representatives are expected to behave professionally and courteously. Aggressive sales tactics or disruptive behavior may result in immediate removal without a refund.
    • The Exhibitor, Sponsor, and the product or service being offered should be clearly identified.
    • Exhibitors should take care not to harm, deface or damage its area of the conference venue or any of the venue’s contents. Exhibitor is responsible for any damage caused by Exhibitor or its representatives.
    • Exhibitors assume all responsibility for equipment and machinery that is to be part of their exhibit.
    • AWCI and event management reserve the right to limit activity anywhere on the exhibition floor or in the venue to ensure a professional and safe atmosphere.
  • Early Breakdown: Exhibitors are not permitted to dismantle or pack up their booths before the official close of the exhibit hall. Violations may result in loss of Priority Points and future exhibiting privileges.
  • Sponsorship Fulfillment Disclaimer: AWCI will make reasonable efforts to fulfill sponsorship deliverables. However, AWCI reserves the right to substitute comparable benefits or reschedule delivery for sponsorship deliverables.
  • Code of Conduct Compliance: All exhibitors and sponsors are expected to comply with AWCI’s Event Code of Conduct. Any violation may result in expulsion from the event without refund and disqualification from future opportunities.
  • Giveaways and Promotions:
    • Circulars, catalogs, magazines, folders, promotional, educational, or other giveaway matter may be distributed only at the Exhibitor’s booth/display area and must be related strictly to the products and services on display or eligible for display, and for products and services which are directly available from the Exhibitor.
    • Any sponsored giveaways are to be non-exclusionary and should not require a purchase or any other form of consideration from attendees. Giveaways are to be open to all registered attendees of BUILD.
    • All promotions must take place within the Exhibitor’s or Sponsor’s designated booth/display area. Exhibitors and Sponsors are not to distribute or leave behind merchandise, signs, or printed materials in the registration areas, meeting rooms, or public areas of the event site, including hotels, shuttle buses, parking garages, etc., without written prior approval of AWCI.
    • Exhibitors and Sponsors are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws governing contests, sweepstakes, and giveaways.
    • Violation of this policy may result in a penalty as listed in the Enforcement of Rules, which may be applied to the company’s Priority Points space selection for future events.
  • Use of Event Name and Logo:
    • Advertisers, Exhibitors and Sponsors may use the “BUILD [YEAR]: AWCI’s Convention + Expo” name in their creative materials.
    • The “BUILD [YEAR]” exhibitor or sponsor logo, as provided by AWCI, may also be used in promotions.

This policy may change from time to time. AWCI and FWCI reserve the right to change, modify, or delete the provisions of this policy at any time with or without notice.