On its website, www.fairguide.com, Fairguide positions itself as, ‘The largest fairs and exhibitors directory on the Internet, for finding fairs and exhibitions all over the world.’ However, a number of unsuspecting South African exhibitors have recently fallen prey to this Austrian-based company, otherwise referred to as Construct Data.

They are not alone, with many hundreds of companies throughout the world having been misled by Fairguide. The company’s modus operandi is to target companies that are about to exhibit at a show with an offer to sign up for an entry in an on-line global directory.

The letter is misleading as it implies that it is being sent by the organiser of the show at which the company is exhibiting, resembling the organiser’s free directory listing form. The fine print cleverly conceals the fact that exhibitors have to pay for the listing. Exhibitors who sign the form are then committed to a three-year, non-refundable contract.

Lynn Chamier of Exhibitions for Africa and Gary Corin of Specialised Exhibitions have both confirmed that their clients are among those South African companies who have been approached by Fairguide for a listing. A closer look at Fairguide’s website shows an extensive listing of exhibitions and organisers in the South African search category, no doubt without their consent.

The UK-based Association of Exhibition Organisers (AEO) takes a strong stand on this matter, condemning Fairguide’s tactics and warning exhibitors to steer clear of them. The AEO’s website, www.aeo.org.uk, 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 Austrian Trade Commission has confirmed that, to the best of its knowledge, nobody has been sued for non-payment. Exhibitors who have inadvertently signed up for a listing should therefore ignore all demands for payment.

The Exhibition Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) is concerned that this type of scam tarnishes the exhibition industry’s reputation and leaves exhibitors feeling aggrieved. Organisers and exhibitors need to be made aware of this type of activity in order to stamp it out.