IEMS and its subsidiary or affiliate companies (hereafter referred to collectively as “Expo”) have been established for planning and organizing the IEMS Event. The Expo requires its Suppliers to abide by Expo’s Supplier Code of Conduct and observe the highest standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities when potential conflicts of Interest arise.

This policy outlines Expo’s principles on Supplier conflict of Interest and offers guidance to assist Suppliers to avoid allegations of an actual or perceived Conflict of Interest.

Any exceptions to the policies outlined in this document must be approved by the Operation Manager, IEMS, and IEMS Management.

Definitions

Appeal – A request, reinforced by relevant supporting documents and justifications, made by a Supplier to convince Expo of its position on the actual or perceived Conflict of Interest situation.

Supplier / Vendor – A supplier is defined as someone who is currently providing or could potentially provide IEMS Expo with required materials goods or services.

Supplier / Vendor conflict of Interest (“Conflict” ) - A Supplier Conflict of Interest at IEMS Expo occurs when the Supplier's interests clash with the fair competition in the tendering process or when the Supplier's obligations to a Third Party hinder its ability to fulfill contractual duties to Expo.

Third-Party – In the context of this policy, a Third Party is any organization that has signed a contract or agreement with Expo, or with a current or potential Expo Supplier; OR any organization that is involved in the development of the IEMS Expo

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Works and Copyright. IEMS has developed and protected an assortment of logos, words, symbols, and other trademarks that will be used by and/or allowed for the Official Participants, Official Commercial and Non-commercial Partners, and Official Merchandise Licenses only.

IEMS will engage in court proceedings to protect its brand, seize illegal products, and claim financial compensation for any damages suffered.

In addition to the registration of the IEMS Expo logo mark and wordmark worldwide, a brand protection strategy is followed by applying several processes that monitor the use of the IEMS Expo brand and ag any infringement.

Policy Overview and Scope

The Expo policy on Supplier Conflict of Interest applies to all IEMS Expo Suppliers

The presence of a Conflict of Interest has the potential to impair a Supplier’s ability to exercise independent judgment, resulting in Expo’s best interests being compromised. Expo is subject to scrutiny from organizations and individuals globally and all Suppliers and individuals involved in the delivery or operations of Expo must strive to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.

As such, with consideration to all Suppliers’ responsibility to the business interest of Expo, all Suppliers of Expo are expected to declare any Conflict of Interest, perceived or actual to Expo as soon as it comes to their attention. In addition, all Suppliers of Expo shall consent to abide by Expo’s policy about Supplier Conflict of Interest at the time of responding to Request For Proposals / Request For Quotations (RFPs/ RFQs) issued by Expo and also when they sign the standard Terms and Conditions included in all Supplier contracts.

Advertising and Marketing

There are clear rules governing advertising and marketing related to IEMS Businesses need to be aware of the restrictions on developing any campaign or promotion that creates a link to the IEMS Expo.

The general rule is that you should not use IEMS as a marketing tool unless you are an Official Participant or commercial Partner and have permitted rights to do so.

Advertisement features and Editorials

IEMS permits the use of its protected marks to be used editorially, for example when journalists are reporting on or giving information about the event in an article, provided the statements are factual and not made gratuitously for marketing purposes nor linked to a commercial entity

However, the protection for journalism does not extend to advertisements written in the form of an article (commonly referred to as ‘advertisement features’ or ‘advertorials’) that suggest an association between products or services and IEMS.

IEMS doesn’t wish to stop people from talking about or providing information on, IEMS, but when doing so, IEMS's legal rights should be kept in mind.

Supplier Responsibilities

Expo expects Suppliers to avoid situations where their existing or potential business relationships may appear to compromise their responsibilities or ability to make sound, impartial, and objective business decisions in connection with their contractual commitments to Expo

As the situations in which a Conflict of Interest may arise are varied, it is the responsibility of the Supplier to contact the relevant Employer’s Representative, or the Expo Head (via email) if the Supplier is in a position where it has an actual or perceived Conflict of Interest.

Suppliers must disclose any actual or perceived Conflict of Interest to the Expo Head (via email) when it is invited to bid to provide a material, good, or service to the Expo. If the Conflict of Interest is deemed unavoidable by Expo, the Supplier shall withdraw from the bidding process. This will not have any impact on the Supplier’s ability to do business with Expo in the future

By signing a contract with Expo, a Supplier guarantees that:

a. The Supplier has no Conflict of Interest which would prevent it from acting in the best interest of Expo and such a situation will not exist during the term of the Contract;

b. The Supplier has not entered into any contract or agreement or executed any documentation whatsoever, that will in any way prevent it from (1) giving Expo the exclusive benefit of services under the contract; (2) disclosing and assigning ideas, trade secrets, and other Intellectual Property; or (3) performing any provision of the contract with Expo

c. The Supplier will not enter into any contract or agreement, or execute any document, which will create a Conflict of Interest or which will prevent it from freely performing any provision of the contract signed with Expo

d. The Supplier will not knowingly incorporate confidential information of any person or entity not a Party to the contract into any services or deliverables furnished to Expo without prior written approval of Expo

If a Supplier has any doubt as to whether a conflict of Interest exists, it must disclose the same to the Employer’s Representative/ Head of Procurement and the internal Contact of Interest resolution process shall be commenced to resolve or manage the Conflict.

Conference and Events

IEMS hosts several events and conferences annually in the run-up to the event through its Business Connect, Youth Connect, Live Expo, and other initiatives. Only these official events run by IEMS are permitted to use the protected marks.

Businesses that invite customers to events related to the IEMS theme or sub-themes are not permitted to use the protected marks. While it may be appropriate for firms to hold a seminar that includes some information about IEMS 2020 holding an event, that is solely about IEMS may suggest an official association between the firm and IEMS.

Supplier Appeals

Suppliers may appeal Expo’s Conflict decision within 3 working days of receiving the decision. Appeals made by the Supplier must include details, including supporting documents, justifying the Supplier’s position. Any decisions communicated by the Expo to the Supplier after an Appeal are final, and may not be contested by the Supplier.

Social Media

Rights to use the protected marks are only permitted to official IEMS social media accounts. Businesses should not use the marks to avoid misleading people. Instead, businesses may repost official IEMS content.

Non-Compliance

If a Supplier is found to be in non-compliance with this document, it may be subject to termination of services and blacklisting.