Sidebar #1: Going Once, Going Twice

An exhibitors-only silent auction might be one creative way for associations to raise revenues, provide access to some goodies for attendees, and highlight exhibitors who donate. Victoria Ceh, MPA, executive director of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, Geneva, Ill., says the concept was so successful for her association last year that they plan to run one again this year.

The auction was a traffic builder for exhibitors who participated. “We gave all the exhibitor participants a big gold Mylar balloon so they were easily identifiable in the exhibit hall,” she says. “We also listed them in the silent auction catalog and gave special thanks to them at the podium.”

Exhibitors donated a variety of items, ranging from those their own companies manufactured such as shampoos and creams or handheld lasers for hair regrowth, to more generic donations like an iPod shuffle and other electronics.

While exhibitors would have to come to their own conclusions about whether these auctions comply with the new codes, the key here is that the donation is made directly to the association, which then auctions the item. In Ceh's case, all proceeds went to the organization's annual giving fund, a 501(c)(3).

Sidebar #2: Where are My Tchotchkes?

Associations and corporations are well aware of the changes to the PhRMA and AdvaMed codes, but that's not necessarily the case for meeting attendees. “We've had exhibitors ask us how we're going to inform attendees about the changes so they understand why they're not getting the same kinds of giveaways at exhibit booths,” says Randy Bauler, CEM, corporate relations and exhibits director of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Aliso Viejo, Calif.

To that end, Bauler says AACN is putting a statement in its exhibits directory as well as notices in the conference daily. “We'll call attention to the new codes [and explain] what that means to them, the attendees, when they visit booths,” he says. “We believe we have an obligation as an association to help educate our attendees about these changes.”