DEMA Announces Disaster Assistance Program to Aid Show Exhibitors and Attendees Impacted by Hurricane Sandy

DEMA announced on November 1^st, 2012 that the Board of Directors has approved the activation of the Disaster Assistance Program to assist those DEMA Show Exhibitors and Buyers impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

 

DEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program contains funds specifically for companies that planned to exhibit or buy at DEMA Show but which were subsequently impacted by a natural disaster. Based on their exhibit size as contracted by close of business on Monday, October 22, 2012, each exhibitor involved from affected locations as outlined below, may apply for funds to help them get to the trade show. Buyers who planned to attend DEMA Show can also apply for funds to assist in staying onsite at DEMA Show. 

 

"Since its inception, the DEMA Disaster Assistance Program has provided over $26,000 in financial assistance to DEMA Show exhibitors impacted by a natural disaster. The funds are available to manufacturers, destinations and other industry related entities who registered as exhibitors prior to a natural catastrophe, with the added financial assistance they may need to attend the Show,” said Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA. Registered Buyers from DEMA Member businesses are also eligible for funds to assist in attending DEMA Show.

 

Exhibitor Assistance Program: DEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program funds are available only to the affected DEMA Show 2012 Member Exhibitors who are fully paid by close of business on October 22, 2012 and confined to companies listed as exhibitors from the following locations: 

 

International:

• The Bahamas

United States: 

Please note: ONLY businesses physically located in designated counties in the following states are eligible to apply for disaster assistance funds. Counties are determined by FEMA Disaster Declarations for Hurricane Sandy:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Virginia
• Washington DC
• West Virginia

For each exhibit space purchased and paid for by October 22, 2012, DEMA will provide regular exhibitors with $250 of assistance. Non-profit exhibitors are eligible for $200 of assistance for each exhibit space. Funds will be awarded onsite at DEMA Show 2012 to the exhibiting companies who apply and fall within the guidelines deeming them eligible for assistance. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis up to the maximum available from the DEMA disaster assistance fund.  All interested parties must apply for the assistance funds on site at DEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV prior to 5:00pm, November 17, 2012. For more information and to receive a DEMA 2012 Hurricane Assistance Fund Processing form, see the DEMA Staff at the DEMA Booth at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Attendee Assistance Program:  Designed for DEMA Member Buyers who are registered for the Show and staying in one of the hotels contained within the official DEMA Show hotel block, one registered Buyer from an attending DEMA Member store located in the affected areas can receive reimbursement for one night hotel stay. The room must be used during DEMA Show and no later than November 16, 2012. DEMA’s Hotel Block includes the following specific properties and addresses:

 

FLAMINGO LAS VEGAS
3555 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109

 

HARRAH’S HOTEL (Host Hotel)
3475 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109

 

VENETIAN HOTEL 

3355 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109

 

The designated Buyer from an affected DEMA Member business must submit receipts to DEMA for reimbursement following the end of the Show (receipts must be postmarked by November 21, 2012). Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis up to the maximum of the DEMA disaster assistance fund.  Exhibitors are not eligible for hotel reimbursement assistance under this program, but can receive Exhibitor Assistance as described above.