Beware of scams.

Common scams

Scammers frequently target trade show participants with offers for:

• Hotel bookings and travel arrangements
• Lead generation and attendee contact lists
• Advertising and marketing services
• Booth setup and logistics services
• Post-show contact information sales

Red flags

Watch for these warning signs:

• Unsolicited emails or calls offering show-related services
• Claims of exclusive access to attendee lists or databases
• Requests for payment before services are verified
• Pressure to act quickly, or a "limited time offer"
• Impersonation of official h+h americas staff or vendors

The "Fair Guide" directory scam

This one costs exhibitors real money, so read it carefully. Exhibitors are regularly targeted by a Slovakian company with what looks like an offer to update an existing free listing "in our exhibitors' directory". The letter is designed to look as though it comes from the show organisers. It does not. h+h americas and Koelnmesse Inc. have no connection to this company or its directory.

The directory is called Fair Guide and the publisher is Construct Data Publishers. Both names sit discreetly at the bottom of the letter, while the h+h americas name and trademark are placed prominently at the top, right above the greeting.

The letter asks you to confirm the accuracy of your details on an attached form and sign at the bottom, immediately below the fine print. That fine print is not a confirmation. It is an irrevocable order for a full-page insertion at $1,877 per year for three years, a total of more than $5,600. It also binds you to Slovakian law and permits the company to appoint a third party, such as a collection agency, to pursue you in your own jurisdiction.

If a free listing confirmation arrives by post or email, read every line before signing anything. If you are not certain it came from us, forward it to [email protected] and we will tell you.

Hotel booking calls

Exhibitors and attendees report calls from companies claiming to handle hotel reservations for the show. These are scams.

Koelnmesse Inc. and h+h americas have not contracted any outside company to confirm, book or modify hotel accommodation for this show. Attendees arrange their own travel using the official information on our Hotels & Travel page. Callers of this kind have no access to any h+h americas exhibitor data, which means they obtained your phone number somewhere else entirely.

Their rates are usually higher than our negotiated block rates, and their reservations often carry unreasonable change and cancellation penalties, or none at all because the booking was never made. Hang up, give them nothing, and let us know.

Known scam companies

The companies below are known to target trade show exhibitors and attendees with unauthorised attendee lists, lead generation and travel services. We recommend avoiding all contact with them. This list is not exhaustive, and a company not appearing here is not an endorsement.

• Aim Digital Pros
• American Booking Services (ABS)
• Asset Media Leads
• Attendees Contactz
• B2B Data Kernel
• B2B Leads and Contacts Expo
• Bizbusinesstech
• BookNconfirmed
• Business Travel Bureau
• Carlsons B2B
• CMI Event Travel
• Conference Lead Expos
• Contact Attendees From Show
• Contact Expos Lead
• Conventioneers.us
• Corporate Booking Services (CBS International)
• Demand Generation Executive
• Dynamic Global Leads
• ETB
• E-List Appenders
• Event Attendees
• Events 323
• Eventsb2b
• Event Travel Planners
• Event Prospex
• Expo and Show Contacts
• Expo Conferences Leads
• Expo Lead Contact
• Global Housing Corp
• Info USA E-Data
• International Business Pro
• Launch Pad Travel
• Leadsexpo
• ListExpo.Info
• Market Media Pro
• Metric Valor
• Micro Info Tek
• Pro Asset Media
• Procure Marketing Guide
• Reed Events (Reedevent.net)
• Targeted Mails
• TekInfo Hub Services
• Trade Show Internet
• Trade Show Organizer
• Trade Shows Lead
• Trimax Leads
• Venuvi.us