SAE Events Outboarding Policy
As owner and producer of WCX, SAE International (SAE) works diligently to protect our exhibitors’ commitment and investment in the event and the mobility industry by taking a firm stance against outboarding.
Outboarding is defined as any exhibit, demonstration, event, or branded activation that takes place during WCX (including the days immediately before and after WCX event days) and outside of contracted space without the approval of SAE. This includes events at metro Detroit hotel suites, meeting rooms, ballrooms, restaurants, clubs, etc.
Trade shows are organized so that companies can showcase and demonstrate their products and services, meet with industry partners and customers and examine market trends and opportunities. More than 130 members of both local and national media attend WCX with a circulation audience of more than 2.1 million readers building awareness, brand recognition and business development for more than 200 WCX exhibitors – whose participation dollars provide SAE with the funds to host this event and reinvest back into the automotive industry. The integrity of the event is diminished when companies unofficially seek to capitalize on the 12,000+ WCX attendees who travel to Detroit to meet as an industry.
WCX brings all facets of the automotive community together and SAE recognizes the critical importance of networking to build business. We encourage official exhibitors to host parties or special events to enhance an official presence before and after WCX event hours. Such events should be to strengthen a company’s WCX brand positioning, not as competing events against those who are making an investment at WCX.
Companies who outboard cause inconvenience to attendees and exhibitors and hurt the overall industry. SAE invests WCX proceeds back into the industry through promotion, research, standards development, public policy and related activities to benefit the entire automotive ecosystem. Outboarding violates WCX policy and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) guidelines. It is WCX policy that outboarding companies are subject to sanctions including the loss of priority points.
WCX has a wide array of inventory available for companies looking for options outside of traditional booth space—including meeting rooms and special venues. We are happy to work with any company who wishes to enhance their overall participation at WCX and connect with the marketplace.
