SEMI Tradeshows Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding SEMI tradeshows. Please contact SEMI by telephone: 1.408.943.7035 or email: semiexpositions@semi.orgif we have not answered your questions below.
1.0 “How can I acquire priority points?”
Priority points are acquired by exhibiting in SEMI tradeshows. Each tradeshow has its own point accumulation. There are four classes of SEMI membership that qualify for exhibiting in SEMI events: Corporate, Associate, Allied and Affiliate. Only SEMI “members” in good standing are eligible to earn priority points and priority space assigning at SEMICON® tradeshows.
1.1 “How are points accumulated?”
Only SEMI Members earn priority points. Points earned for each exhibition are independent of all other exhibitions.
Points are earned as follows:
Member Primary Exhibitors:
SEMICON West, SEMICON Japan
One point for each year of exhibiting
All other exhibitions:
One point for each year of exhibiting
One point for every 360 square feet or 36 square meters
Member Co-exhibitors:
One point for each year of participation
1.2 “What happens to my points if I cancel?”
If a member company cancels for the current year’s show, they retain any points they accumulated in prior years, but they don’t earn points for that year’s show.
1.3 “If my company merges with or acquires another company, how do priority points apply?”
a. Priority points are not transferable. (Exception: if a member company acquires another member company and cancels the acquired company’s membership, the parent company will be awarded the highest point level of the two companies at each tradeshow that they both participated in. In no case can points be added together.)
b. If an active member company is purchased by another active member, the acquiring company will have first right of refusal to acquire the same amount of space occupied by the acquired company at the most recent show, but there is no guarantee these spaces can be merged.
Example:
SEMICON West 2001:
Company A had ONE booth
Company B had TWO booths
SEMICON West 2002:
Company A/B has THREE booths
However:
- If the acquired company did not participate in the most recent show, there is no space available for an acquisition.
- A company ceases to be a member prior to an acquisition, there are no space or priority points to be assumed.
- If non-member company purchases a member company, the non-member company has the option to leave the membership number and relating priority points with the original member company or change the name on the membership.
1.4 “If I’m a subsidiary or division of a SEMI member company, how can I use priority points?”
If a subsidiary or division of a member company wishes to participate in a SEMI tradeshow and receive member pricing and priority, they may use the parent company’s member number as long as:
a. The member company is not exhibiting in the same tradeshow. (Only one application per membership number, per show, may be submitted – unless the tradeshow is segmented by product.)
b. The subsidiary/division is listed in SEMI’s membership database under the parent company’s membership information.
Note 1: Companies that are not subsidiaries/divisions, or are not wholly owned by the member company may not use the SEMI membership number, or the priority points, of another company for any purpose.
Note 2: Parent companies may not use the membership of a subsidiary/division, nor can a subsidiary/division use the points of another subsidiary/division. (Membership and points may only be used from the top down, not from the bottom up or horizontally.)
1.5 “What happens if I used to be one of two separate divisions of a company and I exhibited under the parent membership number, but now our division has become a separate company?”
If two separate divisions of a company have exhibited under the parent company’s membership number, then become two separate companies, the membership will remain with the parent company. If the departing division becomes a member within six months, it will be given equal show points only if it can produce a record of participation in the respective shows.
1.6 “And what if two divisions of a member company have exhibited together but now want to exhibit under our separate names, using the same membership in one show?”
They may do so only if the exhibition is segmented by products, forcing the separate product lines to exhibit independently.
1.7 “My parent company was the SEMI member and I always exhibited under its membership in a specific region. Now I’m becoming a member, what happens to the priority points?”
If a division of a SEMI member company has always exhibited under the parent’s membership in a specific region, then joins as a member, it will be awarded priority points for the respective region equal to that of the parent company.
2.0 “What is a co-exhibitor?”
A company becomes a co-exhibitor upon being invited to participate in a primary exhibitors’ booth.
SEMI will send all Event Directory forms to the Primary exhibitors. It is the responsibility of the Primary exhibitor to forward all necessary forms to their co-exhibitor(s). Receipt of the co-exhibitor form and payment serves as verification by the co-exhibitor to be recognized as a co-exhibitor in the show and listed in the Event Directory. If a co-exhibitor wishes to be listed as a Paid Co-exhibitor with a full listing in the Event Directory, they will need to submit the payment and the verification form to SEMI; if a co-exhibitor wishes to be listed as a Complimentary Co-exhibitor, they will need to submit a verification form to SEMI.
2.1 “I’m a co-exhibitor, how can I get an exhibitor badge?”
All co-exhibiting companies must order their badges through the PRIMARY exhibiting company, so provide your requests to that company’s contact.
3.0 “How many booth locations may I have at SEMI tradeshows?”
Companies and their subsidiaries are allowed only one exhibit location at SEMI tradeshows, unless the show is segmented by product. There can be only one booth location per product segment.
3.1 “What are the benefits of becoming a primary member exhibitor?”
Accumulating Regional Priority Points (member only benefit)
- Prority on space selection
- Event Directory
- Web Listing
4.0 “How does SEMI assign space on-site?”
For most of its tradeshows, SEMI offers on-site space selection for the next year’s event. This process allows member exhibiting companies more involvement in the booth assignment/location process. Appointment times for booth selection will be based on priority points. Each member exhibiting company will receive an application and their selection time, two to three weeks prior to an event. If a company representative cannot be present for booth selection at the given appointment time, a proxy form may be submitted and SEMI personnel will make a best effort to fulfill the location desires of the respective company at the appropriate priority point time previously scheduled. If an appointment is missed, SEMI personnel will make every effort to “fit you in”; however, one may have to wait until after the last appointment of the day. SEMICON Japan will not have on-site space assigning.
4.1 “Who can select space on-site?”
All current year exhibitors are eligible for on-site space assigning. We invite the Primary Member Exhibitor to select space before non-Member Primary Exhibitor. Once all Primary exhibitors complete their selection, then co-exhibitor are invited to select space. As of now, on-site space assigning is available for SEMICON Korea, Singapore, Europa, Taiwan and West.
4.2 “If I’m not a member, I don’t receive priority points, so when can I book space for next year’s show?”
For SEMICON Japan, all nonmembers will get your booth application along with all other member companies. For the shows that offer On-Site space assigning, you can pick space on-site after member select their space for next year.
4.3 “How does the Wait List work?”
There are 2 types of wait list: wait list for space and wait list for relocation. Both wait lists are prioritized by the regional priority points. We contact companies on the list based on the points accumulated. For nonmember who does not have points, we contact you by a first come, first serve basis.
4.4. “Why do you charge a deposit to book space?”
At one time, SEMI did not require any deposit when companies made verbal/written commitments for booth space and there was no penalty attached should the company cancel or downsize. However, once the invoice for the 50% down payment was received, many companies would reduce their space. The ramifications were:
a. Booth space came back into inventory that was often prime space that another exhibitor could have booked. This often caused a redesign of the booth plan and in many cases lost opportunity for other exhibitors.
b. Based on onsite assigning demands, SEMI often had to acquire more exhibition space. This was required in order to satisfy the demands of the onsite booking process and those of exhibitors who had either not yet signed up or non members that had not had the opportunity on site, or just new companies. Exhibitors that had overbooked space during the onsite assigning process, then cut back upon receipt of invoice, left SEMI with more space than was needed and space that SEMI subsequently had to cancel, thus paying the convention facility a cancellation fee.
5.0 “What happens if I have to cancel or reduce my space at a show”?
For all shows with the exception of SEMICON Japan:
a. In the event of cancellation (partial or full) a written notice must be received by SEMI.
b. If cancelled before 90 days of a tradeshow start date, a liquidated damage fee of 20% of the cancelled space will be assessed by SEMI.
c. If cancelled within 90 days of a tradeshow start date, a liquidated damage fee of 100% of the cancelled space will be assessed by SEMI.
d. SEMI will issue the final invoice reflecting all fees imposed on your account per SEMI terms and conditions.
e. Reduction of exhibit space may result in booth relocation.
For SEMICON Japan:
Any cancellation must always be notified to SEMI Japan in writing. Cancellations made within 7 days after receipt of ACCEPTANCE NOTICE will be relieved from cancellation charges. In the following cases, cancellation charges will be imposed: 
Cancellation Charge:
a. Cancellation made 7 days after the receipt of ACCEPTANCE NOTICE = 50% of booth fee
b. Cancellation made after payment due date = 100% of booth fee
c. APPLICANTS failing to pay the booth fee by the payment due date = 100% of booth fee
d. APPLICANTS who did not inform SEMI Japan of the cancellation = 100% of booth fee
e. APPLICANTS failing to prepare booth by the day before the show date = 100% of booth fee
5.1 “Why do I have to pay a 100% liquidated damages fee 90 days in advance of the tradeshow?”
Logistically, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain new exhibitor commitments within the 90-day pre-tradeshow window. SEMI’s attendee promotional efforts include the promise of a full, robust exhibit floor. Having set that expectation level for our attendee base, we would be remiss if we didn’t deliver it in its entirety.
If a member company cancels for the current year’s show, they retain any points they accumulated in prior years, but they don’t earn points for that year’s show.
If LDF is submitted fully, the cancelled exhibitor still reserved the right to participate in on-site space assigning.
In sold out tradeshows, exhibitors are only guaranteed the same amount of space in the same configuration as occupied in the current show.
If an exhibitor reduces space one year, they will only be eligible for that reduced amount of space for the next year.
5.2 “Can I sub-lease space?”
The exhibiting company may not assign, sublet or re-sell, in whole or in part, their contracted space. The contracted exhibiting company may share this space with affiliated co-exhibitors, providing co-exhibitors comply with all exhibiting company conditions and rules and regulations; however, the contracting exhibiting company shall continue to be primarily liable for all financial and performance covenants.
The primary exhibiting company must have the prominent identification in its entire contracted booth space. Contracted space must appear as one unified booth.
Only SEMI show management can assign booth space. Should you need to relinquish some of your contracted space, please notify Show management at your earliest opportunity so we may re-assign the space. Liquidated damages may be incurred, even for reductions in space.
“Anything else I should know?”
- Exhibit space will not be offered to any company with an outstanding balance due SEMI.
- Exhibit hours are posted on the individual tradeshows’ websites.
- Exhibitor Services Manuals are sent approximately four months prior to a tradeshow.
Last Updated: February 6, 2007
