October 25 - 29, 2026
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, Illinois, USA
Important: By submitting an application to exhibit at SMTA International 2026, each exhibitor agrees to abide by the rules and regulations set forth below. Exhibition management reserves the right to make changes with full notice to all contracted exhibitors. Detailed operational information will be included in the SMTA Exhibitor Kit and RES Exhibitor Services Kit.
01
Installation & Dismantling of Exhibits
Setup time, exhibit hall hours, and dismantling time are listed in the Exhibitor Service Kit. All booths must be constructed in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
Exhibits will not be permitted to be packed or removed from the building at any time after installation until the final closing of the exhibit hall, unless special permission in writing is obtained from the SMTA.
$300 fine will be assessed for early removal of exhibits without written authorization from the SMTA. Booths must be fully staffed for the entire duration of the exhibition.
The SMTA reserves the right to modify exhibit hours as necessary to meet program needs, with full notice given to all contracted exhibitors.
02
Payment
The cost for rental of exhibit space is shown on the application.
A 25% non-refundable deposit must accompany the application. The remaining balance is due no later than Wednesday, July 1, 2026. All applications recieved after this time must be accompanied by full payment.
03
Cancellation / Reduction of Space
In the event the exhibitor cancels participation or wishes to reduce exhibit space, they must promptly notify the SMTA in writing by Tuesday, July 1, 2026.
Refunds for any payments beyond the intial deposit will be made for cancellations or booth space reductions recieved on or before Tuesday, July 1, 2026. No refunds will be issued after this date, and full payment of any unpaid balance remains required.
Upon cancellation, the exhibitor loses all rights to their space and all complimentary exhibitor registration badges. The SMTA reserves the right to reassign the space to another exhibitor.
The SMTA may treat a request to downsize as a cancellation of the original contract and a new application for a smaller space. The exhibitor may be required to relocate and remains liable for the total rental of the originally contracted space.
The SMTA reserves the right to cancel the event for any reason. In this case, full refunds will be issued to all contracted exhibitors.
04
Safety & Fire Laws
Exhibitors must strictly adhere to all fire and safety laws enforced by the venue. Smoking in the exhibition area is strictly prohibited.
05
Electrical Safety
All wiring on exhibit displays and display fixtures must adhere to the minimum standards established by applicable governmental agencies and standard fire inspection ordinances. All display wiring must bear the seal of required official approving agencies as specified by the venue hosting the exhibition.
06
Termination of Exhibition
If the venue becomes unfit, or if the holding of the exhibition is substantially interfered with by causes not reasonably within the control of exhibition management, the contract and/or exhibition may be terminated by exhibition management.
Exhibition management shall not be held responsible for delays, damage, loss, increased costs, or other unfavorable conditions arising from causes outside its reasonable control. Exhibition management may retain such portion of the contract fee as is required to cover expenses incurred to the point of termination, with no further liability on either party.
Causes not reasonably within management's control include, but are not limited to:
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Fire, casualty, flood, epidemic, earthquake, explosion, or accident
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Governmental restraints or orders of civil defense or military authorities
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Acts of public enemy, riot, or civil disturbance
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Strike, lockout, boycott, or other labor disturbance
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Inability to secure sufficient labor, technical, or other personnel
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Impairment or lack of adequate transportation facilities
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Inability to obtain necessary supplies or equipment due to condemnation, requisition, or commandeering
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Local, state, or federal laws, ordinances, rules, orders, or decrees
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Acts of God
07
Failure to Make Payment
Any person, partnership, or corporation contracting for space who fails to make payment as required shall forfeit all rights to the selected space. The SMTA shall have the right to dispose of such space in any manner it considers in its interests, without liability to SMTA.
Any exhibitor who fails to pay for an occupy the contracted space remains liable for the full payment agreed upon.
08
Allocation of Space
Exhibition management will assign booths based on the date the application is recieved, adhering to the applicants stated booth preferences in order of priority. If none of the requested selections are available, exhibition management will assign an alternate space and allow the applicant the right to refuse this placement in writing within five (5) business days of the date the application was recieved.
09
Sub-Leasing
Applicants may not sub-lease or permit any other party to use their exhibit space without prior written approval from exhibition management. Exhibitors are not permitted to share booth spaces with other companies.
10
Labor
Exhibitors must employ union labor where required. Union labor will be made available as needed.
11
Rejection of Displays
Exhibition management has full discretion over the placement of all decorations and displays used within the exhibit hall and reserves the right to reject or prohibit any display deemed inappropriate. Detailed information will be included in the Exhibitor Kit.
12
Sound Level / Odor
Machines and electrical devices that create sound and/or odors must be operated to avoid disturbance to other exhibitors and visitors. Exhibition management reserves the right to prohibit usage of any device found to create unacceptable levels of sound or odor.
13
Electrical, Decorating & Additional Services
All electrical wiring and decoration needs must be provided by the general contractor designated by exhibition management. Electricity, gas, water, air, and other utilities will be provided only when ordered and paid for by the exhibitor directly to the exhibition management-appointed person or company authorized to supply such services.
14
Indemnification / Limitation of Liability
Exhibitor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless exhibition management, the sponsor, owner, exhibition hall facility, and the city in which the exhibition is held - and each of their respective officers, agents, and employees - against all claims, losses, suits, damages, judgements, expenses, costs (including reasonable legal fees), and charges of every kind arising out of or resulting from the exhibitor's execution of the Contract to Exhibit or its occupany of the contracted exhibit space, by reason of personal injuries, death, property damages, or any other cause sustained by any person, including the exhibitor, its agents, employees, and invitees.
Exhibitor agrees that management shall not be liable for any errors or omissions in the exhibitor's official directory listings or in any promotional material.
15
Insurance
Each exhibitor must maintain commercial general liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 per occurence for personal injury, death, or property damage arising from participation in the exhibition.
Such insurance must be issued by an insurance company reasonably acceptable to exhibition management, must include coverage of the exhibitors indemnification obligations under these rules and regulations, and must name SMTA as an additional insured.
Each exhibitor is responsible for obtaining, and its own expense, any property insurance for its exhibit and display materials it deems appropriate. Any such policy must contain an express waiver by the exhibitor's insurance company of any right of subrogation against exhibition management.
Exhibitors must provide exhibition management with Certificates of Insurance confirming SMTA's status as an additional insured prior to the event.
16
Exhibitor Conduct
The purpose of exhibits at SMTA International, consistent with SMTA objectives, is to promote the advancement of Surface Mount Technology. Exhibitors agree to exhibit only products used in the field of Surface Mount Technology, products related to the growth of knowledge, or products of interest to SMTA International.
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Retail sales are prohibited
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Exhibitors may not use their booth to promote any other exhibition or conference
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Operation of official exhibitor functions in hotel or private rooms during business hours of the exhibition is prohibited
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Exhibitors must not obstruct the view or adversely affect the displays of other exhibitors
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Exhibitors may not conduct activities that compete with or duplicate activities or programming offered by SMTA International
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Exhibitors must comply with all Booth Rules and Regulations included with their booth confirmation
The SMTA reserves the right to require rearrangement, at the exhibitor's expense, of any display that is in violation of these rules. The SMTA may prohibit or evict any exhibit that, in its opinion, detracts from the general character of the exhibit program. In the event of restriction or eviction, the SMTA is not liable for any refund or other expenses incurred by the exhibitor.
Acceptance of this contract by the SMTA should in no way be construed as an endorsement by the SMTA of the exhibiting company or its products or services.
17
Admission to Exhibits
Adults 18 years and over who are affiliated with the industry served by exhibition management will be permitted in the exhibition area during exhibition hours.
18
Losses
Exhibition management will not be held responsible for lost shipments or damage to exhibitor's property in arrival or departure, or for moving costs. Exhibitors assume responsibility for damage resulting from inadequately packed property and are advised to insure against these risks.
19
Additional Regulations
Exhibition management reserves the right to make such changes and/or additions to these regulations as considered advisable for the proper conduct of the exhibition, with the provision that all exhibitors will be advised of any such changes. Any matters not specifically covered herein are subject to decision by exhibition management. Detailed information will be included in the Exhibitor Kit.
