ISA Meetings and Events Policies and Terms

Terms used throughout the document:  

  • International Sign Association (“ISA”) 
  • ISA International Sign Expo (“EXPO”) 
  • Society for Experiential Graphic Design (“SEGD”) 


All participants including attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, sponsors, guests, and service providers (hereinafter “Attendee” or “Attendees”) are expected to abide by these
Policies and Terms, and this applies to all ISA and SEGD related events. These Policies and Terms will be enforced by ISA and SEGD. This Policy does not give participants rights to a legal cause of action, create a presumption, or serve as evidence that a legal duty has been breached, or form the basis for governmental enforcement proceedings. 

 

Minor Guests 

Should any Attendee bring a minor guest to ISA meetings and events, including ISA International Sign Expo (“EXPO”), Attendee acknowledges and agrees that Attendee is solely responsible for the actions of and liability to the minor guest, and that the terms of this Agreement shall apply to such minor guest. In no event shall Attendee leave minor guest alone at any time. At the EXPO, minors are not allowed on the show floor during move in/move out for any reason. Attendee agrees to supervise and instruct the minor guest on the terms of this Agreement. By accepting this Agreement, Attendee, on their behalf and on behalf of Attendee’s minor guest, acknowledges and agrees to all of the policies and terms of this Agreement. 

 

Alcoholic Beverages 

Recognizing the nature of receptions and the potential for alcohol abuse at events, all ISA-sponsored functions will make non-alcoholic drinks available. Attendees are responsible for their own well-being and agree that neither the ISA and/or its sponsors will be held accountable for any issues resulting from excessive drinking, recklessness or negligence. 

 

Health and Safety 

 International Sign Association (“ISA”) is continuing to monitor global, federal, state and local health guidelines in preparation for upcoming events. 

  • Vaccinations — COVID vaccination records will not be required/checked onsite this year. However, ISA strongly encourages COVID vaccination and boosters, as vaccines are proven to reduce the threat of critical illness. 
  • Masks — The wearing of masks is a matter of personal choice and preference, and we encourage everyone to be respectful of mask decisions made by other individuals. 


COVID-19
has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization (the WHO). As such, ISA cannot prevent Attendee or Attendees guests, including any minors accompanying Attendee, from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 as it is not possible to wholly prevent against the presence of the disease. Attendee acknowledges the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assumes the risk that Attendee and Attendee’s guests, including any minors accompanying Attendee, may be exposed to or become infected by COVID-19 to which such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and/or death by attending ISA International Sign Expo (“EXPO”).  

Attendee hereby forever releases and waives their right to bring suit against ISA and its subsidiaries and affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, volunteers, successors and assigns (“ISA Representatives”) in connection with the exposure, infection, and/or spread of COVID-19 related to the EXPO, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto. Attendee understands that this waiver means that Attendee gives up their right to bring any claims, including for personal injury, death, disease, property loss, or any other loss, and gives up any claim Attendee may have to seek damages, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen. 

 

Accessibility 

 International Sign Association “ISA” embraces accessibility and full participation and is dedicated to providing accommodations to people of all abilities in accordance with applicable law. 

ISA Staff will assist Attendees with reasonable accessibility accommodations to ensure a full experience for all. To plan effectively, we respectfully ask that Attendees needing accommodations provide ISA Staff with advance notice and pertinent information during the registration process. You may indicate your desire for a member of ISA Staff to contact you directly to discuss your individual needs.

 

Anti-Harassment Policy 

International Sign Association (“ISA”) is committed to providing a supportive environment that upholds the values of inclusion, safety, and mutual respect at all ISA meetings and events, including ISA International Sign Expo (“Expo”). ISA expects Attendees at ISA meetings and events to follow the same practices of ethical engagement there as they do elsewhere in their professional practice. 

Our practices do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected characteristic.  Our practices call for sensitivity to power dynamics, exhibited in part through respect for the ideas, work, personal autonomy, and contributions of individuals in more junior positions in the field. Our practices include a belief in the rights of free speech and open inquiry, as well as respect and tolerance for people with worldviews, opinions, and experiences different from our own. 

We expect all Attendees to not engage in any form of harassment at ISA meetings and events, including Expo. Attendees should hold themselves and each other to these expectations. 

Attendees must: 

  • Respect everyone associated with the event, including venue personnel, and their diversity of voices, opinions, and backgrounds. Respect all attendees regardless of ethnicity, race, nationality, gender, age, religion, beliefs, education, experience, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, socio-economic status, veteran status, or marital/family status. Be collaborative and encourage others to speak and offer their viewpoints. 
  • Abide by all local, state, and federal laws and the rules and policies of the venue or meeting platform.  
  • Be honest in conducting one’s business. Present one’s true identity when registering and attending meetings. Communications and business should be done in a truthful, non-deceptive manner.  
  • Adhere to these Policies and Terms in social media posts about the meeting or with communications to fellow participants before, during, and after the meeting. 
  • Maintain confidentiality and privacy when appropriate. Respect the confidentiality and privacy of others. Obtain explicit consent before sharing personal information or publishing any content, including photographs or recordings, that may identify or infringe upon the privacy of attendees. 


Attendees are strictly prohibited from:
 

  • Harassing (sexual or on the basis of any protected factor), bullying, discriminating, or intimidating anyone associated with the event. This behavior is unacceptable before, during, and after the event, including online virtual platforms, and on social media. 
  • Stalking, threatening, intimidating, or abusing—verbally, physically, or in written form—a fellow participant or venue personnel. This includes online and onsite—before, during, and after the meeting. Participants should feel safe and comfortable about coming to future events. 
  • Disrupting sessions or meetings, heckling speakers, or not allowing others to speak. Be respectful of others who are trying to learn, teach, or contribute in some capacity. Attendees must refrain from engaging in demeaning, derogatory, or offensive speech or behavior that targets individuals or groups based on their characteristics, and maintain a professional and respectful tone during discussions, presentations, and social interactions. 
  • Inappropriate use of sexual images in public spaces 
  • Unwanted photography or recording 
  • Inappropriate physical contact 
  • Unwelcome sexual attention 
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior 


If you are the target of or witness harassment or other inappropriate behavior, we encourage  you to report the incident as soon as possible to:
 

  • Orange County Convention Center Facility Security at +1 (407) 685-9828; AND/OR 
  • ISA VP, Trade Shows & Meetings Ryan Strowger at +1 (703) 944-3698 


You may also choose to ask someone else to report on your behalf, but experience suggests that we will be better informed if we hear about such behavior directly from those who have experienced or witnessed it.
 

Anyone requested to stop inappropriate behavior is expected to comply immediately.  ISA staff (or their designee) or security may take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the ISA meeting or event, including Expo without warning or refund. ISA reserves the right to prohibit attendance at the current or any or all future ISA meetings and events or take other action it deems appropriate and reasonable. 

 

Badge Usage 

Attendees are reminded to wear their official badge to access ISA meetings and events. However, for safety reasons, please remember to remove your badge when you are outside. Sharing of badges is strictly prohibited. 

 

Badge Scanning 

See ISA’s Privacy Policy below. 

 

ISA No Outboarding or Suitcasing Policy 

Companies not exhibiting are not authorized to have meetings, product promotions, displays, demonstrations, social functions, and/or hospitality suites at the Orange County Convention Center or any official ISA hotel. 

Any non-exhibiting person who is observed to be soliciting business in the aisles, lounges, food courts, restaurants, or other public spaces at the Orange County Convention Center or any official ISA hotel or in another company's booth will be asked to leave immediately. That individual may have their badge confiscated, denied future entrance at the event, and may be barred from future ISA event participation. Please report any violations you may observe to Management Staff in Registration (OCCC Second Floor Lobby) or the ISA Hub (Booth #2553). 

 

Photograph, Audio and Video Notice  

When you enter an ISA meeting or event, including ISA International Sign Expo (”EXPO”), you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. 

By entering the ISA meeting or event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose deemed appropriate and reasonable by ISA, or its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar ISA events in the future, or highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of ISA. 

In consideration of your attendance at such an ISA meeting or event, you agree and hereby release ISA, its officers, directors, agents, and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability whatsoever connected with, but not limited to, the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or sound recordings during an ISA meeting or event. 

By entering the ISA meeting or event premises you, and your heirs or assigns, waive all rights you may have to any claims, or potential claims, now or in the future, for payment or royalties of any kind in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee or admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by ISA and its ISA event or the person or entity designated to do so by ISA. 

This waiver constitutes your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the ISA event. 

IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR PICTURE TAKEN OR TO BE RECORDED, OR YOU OTHERWISE DO NOT AGREE WITH THESE TERMS, PLEASE SPEAK TO ISA MANAGEMENT STAFF OR DO NOT ENTER THE PREMISES. 

 

Cancellation and Refunds  

  • Cancellation requests for refunds of any paid registrations must be received in writing before and including March 6, 2026 and will be subject to a $25 cancellation fee,. After this date, only substitutions will be accepted. To cancel, please email  ISA@maritz.com or call +1 (508) 743-8550 to request cancellation, and to provide reason for having to cancel. Refunds will be provided after completion of the Expo to the method of payment used to process the original registration. 
  • No refunds will be provided if cancellation is received after March 6, 2026. Only substitutions will be accepted after that date, with written permission from the original registrant and with prior approval from ISA. Please contact Customer Service at +1 (508) 743-8550. You may also email ISA@maritz.com.  

 

Unsecured Items Policy 

Personal belongings such as briefcases, backpacks, purses, coats, book bags, laptops, tablets or mobile devices, etc. should not be left unattended in booths, lobbies, restaurants, food courts, seating areas, meeting rooms or public areas. These items are the responsibility of their owner, and ISA management will not be held responsible for their safekeeping should they become lost or stolen. Additionally, any unattended items may be subject to removal by security upon being discovered. 

 

Force Majeure 

The Event organizers and co-sponsors shall not be held responsible for any delay or failure in performance of their obligations hereunder to the extent such delay or failure is caused by fire, flood, natural disaster, strike or labor dispute, military authority, imposition of law or regulation, riot or civil unrest, acts of God, acts of terrorism, acts of war, epidemics, pandemics, restrictions or recommendations issued by a governmental agency or recognized health organization such as the CDC or World Health Organization, the un-availability of the Venue or other similar exigent circumstance or emergency beyond the organizer’s and co-sponsors’ reasonable control, making it illegal, impossible, impracticable or inadvisable in organizer’s and co-sponsors’ sole discretion to hold the Event. For one or more of such reasons, the organizers and any co-sponsors of ISA International Sign Expo may postpone, reschedule or cancel the event without liability on their part. In the event the Expo cannot be held or is postponed pursuant to this section, the organizers and co-sponsors of the Expo shall not be liable to attendee for any direct, consequential or incidental damages, costs, or losses incurred, such as transportation costs, accommodations costs, or financial losses. 

 

Privacy Policy 

The International Sign Association (“ISA”) Privacy Policy is incorporated in its entirety to these Meetings and Event Policies and Terms. Visit https://signs.org/privacy-policy for the complete Policy terms. 

 

Liability and Indemnity 

Attendee assumes all risks associated with, resulting from or arising in connection with Attendee’s participation or presence at the EXPO, including all risks ARISING FROM theft, loss, damage or injury to person, property or business, whether caused by negligence, intentional act, accident, COVID-19, act of God or otherwise. Attendee has sole responsibility for any theft, damage or injury to person, property or business.  

Attendee agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless ISA Representatives from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever, which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against ISA Representatives in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement (including Attendee’s breach of this Agreement) and/or Attendee’s attendance at the Expo. 

ISA, at its sole discretion (including without warning or refund), reserves the right to remove an Attendee and any minor accompanying an Attendee from the Expo at Attendee’s sole liability and expense, if it is determined that Attendee has violated the terms of this Agreement. 

 

Terms and Conditions 

Attendee agrees to abide by all terms and conditions as stated in this Agreement and such terms and conditions as may be required by the Expo site, which includes, but is not limited to the prohibition against usage of drones indoors. In addition, Attendee agrees to abide by ISA’s privacy policy as referenced in Item 13 above. ISA may adopt rules or regulations from time to time governing the Expo and may amend or revoke them at any time, upon notice to Attendee. Any such rules and regulations are incorporated herein by reference. All matters, issues or questions not covered by the Agreement are subject to the sole decision of ISA. No changes shall be applicable without ISA’s prior written consent. 
 

Governing Law 

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law thereunder. In addition, all disputes arising under this Agreement shall be resolved in any local or federal court in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Attendee agrees, solely for purposes of this Agreement, to submit to the personal jurisdiction of that court. 

This Agreement may be executed in counterpart and/or by facsimile or email transmission. Attendee hereby agrees to Attendee the item(s) identified above and fully understands that by signing below, this form shall become a binding contract.