Outboarding Policy

Outboarding

Outboarding is defined by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) as the creation of a concurrent event related to an existing exhibition or conference that is not sanctioned by the event organizer but seeks to benefit from the audience the organizer attracts.

As a premier event serving the workers’ compensation industry, National Comp—organized by The Institutes, a non-profit organization—invests significant financial and operational resources to provide a high-quality conference and expo. Our sponsors and exhibitors contribute extensively to the event’s success, showcasing their latest products and services, engaging with existing clients, and generating new business opportunities.

National Comp, in alignment with IAEE, considers outboarding to be unethical business conduct.

The Impact of Outboarding

Outboarding during show hours undermines the value and integrity of National Comp. It:

  • Diminishes the size and quality of the event audience.
  • Reduces the return on investment for official exhibitors and sponsors.
  • Devalues the overall experience for attendees and industry stakeholders.

While National Comp supports networking and business development, it is critical that these activities occur in alignment with official event guidelines. Companies that attempt to leverage National Comp’s audience without directly participating as exhibitors or sponsors are unfairly benefitting from the investments of legitimate event partners.

Policy Guidelines

  • Prohibited Activities: During show hours, it is strictly prohibited to promote or conduct any activity that competes with National Comp’s official conference program or networking events. Exhibitors are strongly advised against co-hosting activities with entities that are not National Comp exhibitors or sponsors.
  • Hosting Events: Official exhibitors are invited to host parties and special events outside of show hours, creating additional opportunities for engagement. To enhance their marketing, invitations, and signage, they are encouraged to proudly feature the “National Comp Supporter” badge.
  • Reporting Violations: We ask exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees to decline invitations to unsanctioned events that conflict with National Comp activities and to report violations to National Comp.

Enforcement & Consequences

We are committed to working with industry partners to support their strategic goals within the workers’ compensation sector. A variety of sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available to ensure companies can participate in an official and ethical capacity.

National Comp reserves the right to protect the integrity of the event and may impose penalties on companies or individuals found violating this policy.

Thank you for supporting National Comp and helping to uphold the integrity of our industry’s premier event.