Exhibitor Safety
Exhibitor Scam Awareness
Spot, avoid, and report the most common scams targeting exhibitors before, during, and after an expo. Share this with your team and contractors.
TL;DR: Organisers never sell attendee data. Verify bank details and suppliers. Use official channels for hotels and logistics. Train staff on social engineering.
Last updated: • Publisher: B2B Growth Hub
1) Pre‑Expo Scams
Fake attendee lists & data sales
How it works: Unsolicited emails offer “verified attendee databases.”
- Red flags: “opt‑in list”, “complete database”, urgent discounts.
- Reality: Data is scraped or fabricated; selling is likely unlawful (privacy/GDPR).
- Action: Ignore, block, and report to the organiser.
Fake hotel / travel partners
- Verify via the event’s official accommodation page or venue.
- Beware prepayment demands to personal accounts.
- Use corporate cards with fraud protection.
Fake logistics / customs brokers
- Only book from organiser‑approved supplier list.
- Check legal entity, insured value, and references.
- Never ship goods before contract + insurance confirmation.
Invoice / payment redirection
- Match bank details against your signed contract.
- Call your known account manager on a verified number before paying.
- Enable dual approval for payments.
Directory subscription traps
- Hidden multi‑year obligations in the small print.
- Never sign unsolicited “data confirmation” forms.
- Escalate to legal if pressured.
2) On‑Site Scams
Equipment theft & impostors
- Keep laptops tethered; lock storage when unmanned.
- Badge‑check anyone handling your items.
- Use asset tags and inventory lists.
Hidden charges from unofficial vendors
- Get written quotes; avoid verbal add‑ons.
- Use organiser‑approved providers only.
- Report aggressive upselling to floor management.
Competitor data harvesting
- Gate sensitive demos; use NDAs for deep dives.
- Brief staff on information boundaries.
- Prohibit photography of prototypes.
3) Post‑Expo Scams
Fake awards & pay‑to‑publish
Emails claim you’ve “won”—release only after you pay a trophy/listing fee. Verify with the organiser.
Phishing & impersonation
- Scrutinise sender domains and URLs.
- Don’t enter credentials from email links; browse directly to portals.
- Enable MFA on exhibitor portals and CRMs.
Persistent directory contracts
If you inadvertently signed, seek legal advice; respond in writing to cancel and cite misrepresentation where applicable.
4) Prevention Checklist
Governance
- Single source of truth: exhibitor portal + supplier list.
- Dual approval on payments & supplier onboarding.
- Contracts: verify legal entity + bank letter.
People
- Brief team on social‑engineering red flags.
- Stand duty rota—no unattended assets.
- Use named contacts and codewords for releases.
Tech
- Device encryption, MFA, guest Wi‑Fi segmentation.
- Asset tags and inventory; GPS for high‑value kits.
- Secure file sharing—no public links for sensitive decks.
If you encounter a suspected scam: Stop engagement, gather evidence (emails, invoices, domains), inform your bank, and notify the organiser immediately.
- Notify your internal security/finance lead.
- Contact the organiser via your account manager.
- Report to local authorities (e.g., Action Fraud UK).
- Warn your team and neighbouring exhibitors.
- Verify the sender’s identity before responding to any request.
- Cross-check invoice details directly with the event organiser.
- Avoid clicking unfamiliar links or downloading suspicious files.
- Confirm all payments through verified and official channels.
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6) Frequently Asked Questions
Does the organiser ever sell attendee lists?
No. If you receive such offers, treat them as scams and inform us.
How do I confirm an email is genuinely from the organiser?
Check the domain, compare language style to prior emails, and call your account manager on a known number.
Can you publish a verified supplier list?
Yes—our supplier directory is linked in your exhibitor portal and kept up‑to‑date before each event.
7) Resources & Templates
Need help verifying a vendor or invoice?
Send it to hello@b2bgrowthhub.com and our team will confirm within one business day.
