THE 2024 BETTER WORKPLACES CHALLENGE CUP STARTUP TRACK (“STARTUP TRACK”) IS A 3-ROUND COMPETITION DESIGNED TO SEEK OUT AND PROMOTE COMPANIES THAT ARE DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO WORKPLACE CHALLENGES IN ORDER TO CREATE BETTER WORKPLACES. THE START UP TRACK IS SPONSORED BY THE SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCES (“SHRM”) AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THESE GENERAL RULES IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER RULES, POLICIES, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS THAT MAY BE IMPLEMENTED BY SHRM, SUCH AS THE CODE OF ETHICS AND SHRM CONFERENCE EXHIBITOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

THE STARTUP TRACK IS ONLY INTENDED FOR PARTICIPANTS FROM THE COUNTRIES NOTED IN THE LIST BELOW (“PERMITTED LOCATIONS”). DO NOT PARTICIPATE IF RESIDING OUTSIDE THE PERMITTED LOCATIONS AT THE TIME OF ENTRY. INTERNET ACCESS IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. SUBJECT TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

ARBITRATION NOTICE: BY PARTICIPATING IN THE STARTUP TRACK, YOU AGREE THAT DISPUTES BETWEEN YOU AND THE START UP TRACK ENTITY WILL BE RESOLVED BY BINDING, INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION AND YOU WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A JURY TRIAL, CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, OR CLASS-WIDE ARBITRATION. SEE DISPUTES/ARBITRATION PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN.

CONTEST BACKGROUND

1. ELIGIBILITY: The STARTUP TRACK is only open to corporate participants (“Participants”) that satisfy all of the eligibility participants requirements set forth below, which may be revised and amended in SHRM’s sole and absolute discretion (collectively, “Eligibility Requirements”):

Workforce Planning

•  Talent Acquisition
•  Internal Mobility
•  Candidate Experience
•  Talent Assessment
•  Onboarding
•  Succession Planning
•  Off-boarding
• Leave Management

Employee Engagement

• Employee Communication
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Employee Experience

Total Rewards

• Compensation
• Benefits
• Wellness
• Recognition/Rewards

Performance Management

• Learning & Development
• Coaching
• Upskilling/Reskilling
• People Analytics

HR Operations

• Payroll
• HRIS
• Compliance
• Business Process Improvement
• Data Analytics

• Must be able to attend your category’s virtual first-round segment. Dates and times are as follows:
  • Segment 1 | Workforce Planning | March 5 at 11am EST
  • Segment 2 | Employee Engagement | March 19 at 11am EDT
  • Segment 3 | Total Rewards | April 2 at 11am EDT
  • Segment 4 | Performance Management | April 23 at 11am EDT
  • Segment 5 | HR Operations | May 7 at 11am EDT
• Must be an early-stage startup in the workplace tech, HR tech, Future of Work, or Human Capital Services market.
• Must be a for-profit company established with a management team and public-facing website.
• Must be able to convey a business model and demonstrate traction, engagement, and adoption metrics.
• Raised no more than $5 million in total outside funding at the time of the application.
• Earned no more than $5 million in revenue at the time of the application.
• Minimum of $50,000 annual recurring revenue (ARR).
• Must have a prototype or minimum viable product.
• Workplace solution must directly contribute to better workplaces. We will be looking for solutions in the following workplace market segments, though others are encouraged to apply: 
• Permitted Locations. Participant company must be located in one of the below countries:

• Norway
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palau
• Panama
• Papua New Guinea
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Rwanda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Samoa
• San Marino
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Solomon Islands
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• South Sudan
• Suriname
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• Togo
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
• Vatican City
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Yemen
• Zambia

• Each Participant is only eligible to present at one of the first-round events.

Employees, officers, and directors of SHRM, its parent, subsidiary, and affiliated companies, advertising and promotion agencies, and any other individuals or entities who are engaged directly or indirectly in the development of, the production, distribution, or review of materials for, or the administration, execution, or implementation of the Startup Track  (collectively, the “Startup Track entities”) and persons in the immediate family of such individuals (spouse, parent, child, sibling, partners, and their respective spouses, and foster and step-relations) regardless of where they reside, or those living in their same household (whether or not related) as any person in any of the preceding categories may be prohibited from participation or ineligible to win any prizes associated with the Challenge Cups.

2. AGREEMENT TO RULES: All participation in the Startup Track shall be governed by these General Rules and any other rules, policies, terms, and conditions that may be implemented by SHRM in its sole and absolute discretion. By participating in the Startup Track, Participants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound to and accept these General Rules and any additional terms and conditions whether or not specific to the Startup Track implemented or otherwise communicated by SHRM. By participating, Participants agree to be bound to the decisions of SHRM (and its authorized representatives), which are final and binding in all matters.
3. HOW TO PARTICIPATE: In connection with the Startup Track, SHRM will announce all material information relating to the Startup Track, including the applicable competition periods and details on how to enter and participate. All announcement relating to the Startup Track will be made on SHRM’s website at BetterWorkplacesChallengeCup.com. SHRM’s clock/server/computer is the official time keeping device for purposes of any dates or time restrictions imposed for the Startup Track. All participation must comply with these General Rules. Participants are solely responsible for understanding all rules that apply to their participation, including the General Rules, and determining the correct time zone in its respective jurisdictions. Startup Track Entities disclaim all liability or responsibility relating thereto.
4. PRIZES: The top three participants will receive expense paid trips to the SHRM Annual Conference where the top three participants will compete to win the Startup Track (each a “Winner”). Expense paid travel will consist of the following: flight and hotel accommodations for two (2) nights for each Participant representative (up to 2); (ii) flight reimbursement up to a maximum of $650 USD per domestic ticket and $1,000 USD per international ticket for each corporate representative; and (iii) hotel accommodations reimbursement up to a maximum $300 (including taxes & fees) per room, per night. SHRM reserves the right to make changes at its discretion to the all-expense paid travel. The winner of the Startup Track (“Grand Prize Winner”) will receive the grand prize of $50,000 USD (“Grand Prize”). The Grand Prize will be subject to certain restrictions, including only be used to fund the winner’s business operations and (ii) monthly reporting obligations to be determine in SHRM’s sole and absolute discretion for a two (2) year period.
5. TAXES: The Winners and Participants are solely responsible for any and all federal, state, municipal and local taxes, fees, and other government assessments associated with receipt and use of a prize or participation in the Startup Track. Federal and state withholding laws are subject to change without notice. The withholding laws in effect at the time the prize is claimed will be followed, and individuals may be issued an Internal Revenue Service Form W-2G or Form 1099 by SHRM (if required), which the winner will be required to sign at a time and in a manner determined by SHRM in its sole discretion.
6. GENERAL:

a. SHRM reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who: (i) tampers or attempts to tamper with the operation of the Challenge Cup, including the any entry process or SHRM’s website; (ii) violates the General Rules; or (iii) acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY A PARTICIPANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE STARTUP TRACK IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SHRM RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

b. Startup Track Entities are not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by website users, human error, tampering, hacking or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Startup Track and assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission (including availability or accessibility of the internet), incompatibility, communications failure, theft, loss or destruction of Entries, nor for the failure to capture Entry or other information. Startup Track Entities are not responsible for injury or damage to Participants’ or to any other person’s computer or mobile device related to or resulting from downloading materials from or use of any Website. If, for any reason, the Startup Track or any element thereof is not capable of running as planned by reason of, but not limited to, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, force majeure, technical or other failures or errors, or any other causes similar or dissimilar which SHRM deems, in its sole opinion, could corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Startup Track or any element thereof, SHRM reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Startup Track or element thereof and select the winning Participant(s) from non-suspect, eligible entries received prior to the action or as otherwise may be deemed fair and equitable by SHRM. In the event of any discrepancy, ambiguity, inconsistency, printing or any other error or miscommunication in any communications, announcements, advertising or promotional materials relating to the Startup Track, these General Rules shall govern.

c. SHRM shall have no responsibility or obligation to a potential winner who is ineligible for the prize, or is unable to or who does not accept the prize, for any reason.

d. Prizes are awarded “as is” without any express or implied warranty or guarantee from SHRM, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. Only the prizes described herein are available to be awarded; in no event will the Startup Track Entities be responsible for awarding more or different prizes than stated herein. Prizes cannot be assigned, transferred, or substituted, except by SHRM which may, at its sole discretion, substitute a prize or any part thereof with a prize of equal or greater value. Prizes are not redeemable for cash; any difference between the actual value and ARV of the prize will not be awarded as cash, or otherwise unless otherwise stated.

e. The Startup Track is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Google, or any other social media or similar platform where the Startup Track may be promoted, advertised, or otherwise used to disseminate information relating to the Startup Track. You understand that all information is being provided to SHRM, and not to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Google, or any other social media where the Startup Track may be promoted, advertised, or otherwise used to disseminate information relating to the Startup Track. SHRM is not responsible for practices, terms or actions taken by any of these or other social media and web services sites. You understand that you are required to comply with terms and conditions of those social media platform

7. PUBLICITY RELEASE: To the fullest extent permitted by law, Winner grants to Strartup Track Entities the right to use his/her name, likeness, hometown and biographical information and, as applicable, any name, logo, trademarks or other similar identifying marks for Winner’s business organization (if Winner has the legal ability to grant such rights), for any lawful purpose (including but not limited to advertising and promotion), in perpetuity, in any media now known or hereafter developed, worldwide and on the Internet and World Wide Web, without further permission or compensation, except where prohibited by law. By accepting any prize, each winner agrees for himself/herself and for their heirs, executors and administrators to release and indemnify and hold Strartup Track Entities and their respective officers, directors, employees and representatives harmless from any and all liability for any loss, harm, damages, costs or expenses, including without limitation property damages, personal injury and/or death, arising out of participating in Strartup Track, or the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any prize, or while preparing for, participating in and/or traveling to or from any prize related activity and claims based on rights of publicity, rights of privacy, defamation or prize delivery.
8. PRIVACY: Information, including personal data, submitted in connection with the Startup Track will be treated in accordance with these General Rules and SHRM’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, which may be amended from time to time and are currently located at https://www.shrm.org/about-shrm/Pages/Privacy-Policy.aspx. In addition, SHRM shall share Participant contact information with the Startup Track Entities, which includes any and all sponsors of the Startup Track. SHRM shall also share Participant personal data with its third-party service providers for the purpose of providing and administering the Startup Track. Each Participant represents and warrants that it has the right to share all personal data with SHRM and that SHRM may process such personal data for the purpose of providing and/or administering the Startup Track.
9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:

1. Ownership. As between SHRM and Participant, including its affiliated business organizations, SHRM is the exclusive owner of the Startup Track, and all materials and other intellectual property created by or on behalf of SHRM, including Presentation Recordings, materials and other intellectual property relating to the Startup Track, any SHRM or SHRM affiliate conference, SHRMLabs or its related events, or other SHRM or SHRM affiliate programs (collectively, “SHRM Intellectual Property”), are and shall be the sole property of SHRM, and SHRM shall be deemed the author of such works for all purposes, and Participant hereby conveys to SHRM any interests Participant might otherwise have in such property. SHRM hereby grants to Participant a non-exclusive, royalty-free, revocable, world-wide license for the Term of this Agreement, to use the Presentation Recordings on its website, social media channels, or in other Participant materials, including promotional materials, related to Participant’s participation in the Startup Track; provided that Participant may only use those portions of a Presentation Recording that highlights Participant, and not any portion that includes another Participant or another Participant’s products or services. Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement, Participant’s license to use the Presentation Recordings shall terminate. Participant shall retain ownership of any materials, products, or services created or owned by Participant prior to commencement of this Agreement, or independently developed during the Term of this Agreement, including Participant information, any presentations, materials or demonstrations prepared by Participant for participation in the Startup Track, and products and services highlighted as part of Participant’s participation in the Startup Track (collectively, “Participant Intellectual Property”). Participant hereby grants to SHRM a non-exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, royalty free, worldwide license, with the right to sublicense, to use, copy, reproduce, publish, and creative derivative works of, all application information, the presentations, demonstrations or other materials provided to SHRM hereunder, in any media, including in any promotional materials for the purpose of providing, administering and promoting the Startup Track, SHRM and SHRMLabs.
2. Trademark Usage. Participant is the owner of Participant name, logo and any other Participant trademarks (hereafter, collectively, the “Participant Trademarks”). Participant hereby grants to SHRM a non-exclusive, revocable right to use the Participant Trademarks for the purpose of providing and administering the Startup Track, including in any marketing or promotional materials related to the Startup Track. SHRM is the owner of federally registered trademarks for the “Society for Human Resource Management,” the “SHRM acronym,” “SHRMLabs” and of several other trademarks (hereafter collectively, the “SHRM Trademarks”). Except for any SHRM Trademarks included in any pre-approved promotional materials or SHRM Intellectual Property, which SHRM has licensed to Participant hereunder, Participant shall not have the right to use the SHRM or SHRMLabs logos, or any other SHRM Trademarks, in any manner without the prior, written approval of SHRM.
3. Copyright Warranty. Participant represents and warrants that Participant Intellectual Property is not defamatory, does not infringe the copyright interests or other rights of third parties, and that Participant owns all Participant Intellectual Property or has the right to convey any licenses provided under the Agreement. Participant shall indemnify SHRM against any claims which may be made against SHRM on the basis that Participant Intellectual Property is defamatory or violates the copyright interests or other rights of third parties.

10. INDEMNIFICATION AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY: BY PARTICIPATING, YOU, INCLUDING YOUR AFFILIATES AND FAMILY MEMBERS (AS APPLICABLE), AGREE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW TO RELEASE, DISCHARGE, AND HOLD HARMLESS SHRM, OTHER STRARTUP TRACK ENTITIES, AND THEIR PARENT, AFFILIATES AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION AGENCIES, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, MANAGERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS (“RELEASED ENTITIES”) FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL ALLEGED OR ACTUAL CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION, DEMANDS, LOSSES, SETTLEMENTS, LIABILITIES AND DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER EXISTING NOW OR ARISING IN THE FUTURE (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, BODILY INJURY, PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, DISABILITY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, VIOLATION OF PROPRIETARY, PUBLICITY, PRIVACY OR ANY OTHER RIGHT), COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, COURT COSTS, SETTLEMENT AND DISBURSEMENTS) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF USE OF THE ENTRY IN WHOLE OR IN PART, THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF A PRIZE, PARTICIPATION IN THE STRARTUP TRACK, PROMOTION OR PRIZE RELATED ACTIVITY, ACCESS TO THE WEBSITE, OR OTHER PARTICIPATION IN THIS STRARTUP TRACK. By entering or accepting a prize, YOU covenant to the fullest extent permitted by law not to sue any Released Party or cause them to be sued regarding any matter released above, and not to disaffirm, limit, or rescind this release. A waiver by one or more of the Strartup Track Entities of any term in these General Rules does not constitute a waiver of any other provision. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY, SO THE FOREGOING MAY NOT APPLY TO EVERY ENTRANT. Any provision adjudged to be invalid shall be struck from these OFFICIAL Rules and the remainder shall continue in full force and effect. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE STRARTUP TRACK ENTITIES AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, OR CLAIM RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THESE GENERAL RULES, OR PARTICIPATION IN THE STRARTUP TRACK EXCEED U.S. $1,000.00.
11. FORCE MAJEURE: Startup Track Entities shall not be liable to Participants, the winner or any other person or entity for failure to execute the Strartup Track, or supply a prize or any part thereof, by reason of any act of God, any action, regulation, order or request by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action, regulation, order or request proves to be invalid), equipment failure, terrorist act, cyber-attack, earthquake, war, fire, flood, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, epidemics, pandemics, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot, cancellation or delay of any event, or any similar or dissimilar event beyond their reasonable control.
12. DISCLAIMERS: SHRM is not responsible for telecommunication or hardware or software failures, including by reason of any bug or computer virus or other failure. SHRM may cancel, modify, or terminate the Startup Track (including winner selection and prizes) without prior notice if it is not capable of completion as planned, including by reason of infection of computer virus, tampering, unauthorized intervention, force majeure or technical difficulties of any kind.
13. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION/ARBITRATION: Any disputes between the SHRMs relating to the terms of these General Rules, or the breach thereof, shall be submitted to binding arbitration in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Arlington County, in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”). SHRM and Participants each agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated or representative action. SHRM and Participants each hereby waive the right to participate in any class action, whether in court or arbitration. In the event that either party desires to arbitrate any such dispute, such party shall so notify the other party and the SHRMs shall endeavor, for a period of 30 days, to resolve such dispute without arbitration. In the event that the SHRMs cannot resolve the dispute within such 30 day period, then within 10 days thereafter, the SHRMs shall jointly designate a single arbitrator to hear the dispute, or, if the SHRMs are unable to jointly select an arbitrator, an arbitrator shall be chosen according to the rules of the AAA. The arbitration, including the rendering of the award, shall take place in Commonwealth of Virginia, Arlington County, and shall be the exclusive forum for resolving such dispute, controversy or claim. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the SHRMs hereto, and the expense of the arbitration (including without limitation the award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing party) shall be paid by the losing party of such arbitration (as the arbitrator determines). The decision of the arbitrator shall be executory, and judgment thereon may be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction. If for any reason a claim proceeds in court rather than in arbitration, SHRM and Participants each waive any right to a jury trial.
14. SEVERABILITY: The invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability of any provision of these General Rules shall in no way affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of any other provision hereof. Any invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision shall be deemed severed from these General Rules and the balance of these General Rules shall be construed and enforced as if these General Rules did not contain such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision.

“SHRM Code of Ethics and Exhibitor Terms and Conditions. All Challenge Cup Participants agree to abide by the SHRM Code of Ethics, and all Participants in the Final Round must adhere to the SHRM Conference Exhibitor Terms and Conditions. 

SHRM CONFERENCE EXHIBITOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Character of the Conference. The Conference, sponsored by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), is a professional show dedicated to human resource management. SHRM reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any company, product or service, and the right to cancel this Agreement and/or restrict, prohibit or evict any exhibitor or product at any time, if, in the opinion of SHRM, the company/exhibitor, product, or service detracts from the character of the Conference, disparages SHRM (or its services or products), violates any of the following Terms and Conditions, or is otherwise harmful to SHRM (or its services or products) or the Exposition in SHRM’s sole discretion. In particular, and without limitation, excessive audio/ visual attention-getting devices or effects and offensive odors are prohibited. No copyrighted, recorded, or live music may be played or performed in connection with the exhibit.
2. Display Regulations. Exhibitor must comply with all rules in the SHRM Exhibitor Manual (and should review that Manual), as the same may be amended by SHRM in reasonable fashion on reasonable notice to exhibitor, including without limitation the following rules:

1. No exhibit may block or interfere with a neighboring exhibit as determined by SHRM.
2. In-line exhibits: Maximum backwall height permitted for any booth exhibit will be 8′. Sidewalls of these exhibits may not extend more than 5′ from the backwall so as not to box in adjoining exhibitors, with a maximum height restriction of 4′ on the front 5′ section.
3. Open areas or island booths: Exhibit fixtures, components and identification signs will be permitted to a maximum height of 20′. Full use of the island floor space is permitted, as long as no component exceeds the 20′ height restriction. Review the exhibitor manual for current rules.
4. No nails or screws may be driven into the floor. No damage of any nature may be done to the booth structures nor to any part of the exhibit hall.
5. Exhibitors will be charged a fee for any skids, pallets or containers left behind.
6. All booth space must be carpeted.

3. Subleasing and Sharing of Exhibit Space Are Prohibited. All signs, displays and products in a booth must be related to the exhibitor’s company.
4. Exhibit Space Assignments are made on the basis of priority, availability and need, with all assignments made in the best interest of the Conference. SHRM reserves the right to alter an exhibitor’s assigned space if it is deemed necessary in the best interest of the Conference. Before exercising its discretion, SHRM will consult with the exhibitor.
5. Sales of Product or Samples for cash, check or credit card are prohibited on the show floor. Contracts and orders may be written for future delivery of products or services.
6. Limitation on Room Drops. Exhibitor may not make any room drops at hotels within the SHRM room block without permission of hotel and SHRM; permission may be conditioned on payment of a fee or may be denied within the discretion of hotel or SHRM.
7. Displays and Exhibits in Public View are required to be appropriately finished on all sides and surfaces. If such surfaces remain unfinished at the start of the Conference, SHRM may authorize the official contractor to effect the necessary finishing and the exhibitor will be required to pay all costs involved.
8. Exhibit Operation. Exhibitors must operate and maintain their exhibit so that no injury will result to any person or property. Hazardous and nuisance-causing giveaways are prohibited. Damage to property caused by an exhibitor will be paid for by that exhibitor. Do not paint, tape, nail, screw, drill or tack anything to the walls, columns, floor or ceiling of the building, adjoining displays or the official contractor’s display material.
9. Fire Department Regulations and All Other Applicable Laws and Regulations must be complied with by exhibitor. Display and packing material must be flame-retardant. Electrical equipment must be UL-approved and must be wired by a licensed electrician.
10. Each Exhibitor Shall Indemnify and hold harmless SHRM and the Conference location for all liability in any way related to exhibitors’ exhibit or any act or omission of exhibitor or any of its employees or agents; including, without limitation, infringement of any trademark, copyright or other rights of any third parties, accident or injury to invitees, guests, exhibitors, their agents and employees and including loss or damage to personal property.
11. Cancellation of Exposition. If SHRM should be prevented from holding the Conference for any reason beyond SHRM control (such as, but not limited to, damage to building, riots, strikes, breach by Conference location, acts of government or acts of God), then SHRM has the right to cancel the Conference or any part thereof, with no further liability to the exhibitor.
12. Exposition Location Rules. Exhibitor shall not cause any violation of the rules of the Conference location.
13. Food and Beverages must be purchased from the official concessionaire, unless incident to the exhibitor’s product lines.
14. Gifts and Contests. SHRM reserves the right to prohibit, limit or discontinue the distribution of gifts, giveaways or similar promotions. There will be no announcements of exhibitors’ contests, drawings or winners during the Conference.
15. Soliciting outside the confines of the exhibitor’s assigned space is prohibited.
16. Surveys. You must have a written approval from SHRM in order to conduct any survey at the Conference. Requests must be received two weeks prior to the start of the Conference. SHRM reserves the right to decline any survey in its sole discretion.
17. Labor and Contractors. Exhibitors that plan to use outside Contractors must notify SHRM in writing 60 days prior to the Conference. Outside Contractors are required to supply verification of liability insurance coverage. All labor must have local union clearance.
18. Competitive Events that distract from the Conference are prohibited.
19. Nonexhibiting Companies, Organizations and Individuals that supply products and services to SHRM exhibitors or that supply products or services to SHRM attendees are prohibited from soliciting or otherwise marketing their products and services at the Conference.
20. Exhibitor Registration is limited to sales, marketing, management and special booth personnel. SHRM reserves the right to limit the number of exhibitor personnel.
21. Installation, Show and Dismantling hours and dates shall be those specified by SHRM. Unless otherwise indicated by SHRM, packing of exhibits prior to the close of the Conference is prohibited. Exhibitor shall be liable for all storage and handling charges for failure to remove exhibits by specified time and date.
22. Amendments to Rules and Regulations. SHRM will have the full power in the interpretation and enforcement of all contract regulations contained herein, and in the SHRM Exhibitor Manual. The ruling of SHRM shall be final in all instances with regard to use of any exhibit space.