DEFINITION OF NON-COMMERCIALISM: COMMUNICATE IN GENERIC TERMINOLOGY. AVOID ANY REFERENCE TO THE PROMOTION OF A COMPANY OR SPECIFIC PRODUCT, SERVICE OR PROCESS IN A WAY THAT WOULD PROVIDE AN ADVANTAGE TO A COMPANY OR INDIVIDUAL.

Presentations at the Annual Forum, “conferences,” “seminars” and “workshops” will focus on technical issues and the processes that provide solutions. Products and services will be identified by description as they are incorporated into the described process.

• Company and product names are prohibited, except in special situations (see below).
• No direct reference to price or cost is allowed, nor is competitive ranking.
• Reference to “our,” “my,” or “we,” is strongly discouraged, but may be used to support personal experiences.
• Slides, transparencies, drawings, signs, etc., should be void of all product or company names, with the exception of an introductory and closing slide that provides a speaker’s name and company affiliation. Program chairpersons have the responsibility of reviewing information prior to sessions.
• Speakers should be familiar with other company product names and eliminate them from their presentation, describing them by their generic description, rather than their names. This is also important to protect trademarks.

“Roundtable” programs are an exception to the policy; product names are allowed since the format is intended to promote specific discussion within a limited management audience. Overt “sales” talk is prohibited.

Special programs may allow a “relaxation” of the non-commercialism policy where a product name is essential to the description of a process or system. An example at this writing is electronic software discussions where an audience requires a product name to fully understand the presentations, especially when comparisons of complex software programs are involved. Competitive ranking is not endorsed.

Product introductions unique to the industry or new innovations are valuable to FTA/FFTA audiences; however, the “non-commercialism policy” applies, and all references to the company, people and product must be stated in descriptive terms and not by name.

Literature availability will be evaluated per individual program. Generally, the Annual Forum will not involve literature handouts, except at tabletop displays; Workshops and Roundtables may be appropriate for literature distribution. The FTA/FFTA staff and responsible chairpeople will assess each opportunity.

POSSIBLE ACTIONS AS A RESULT OF INFRACTIONS:

Minor: Verbal or written notification of infraction (ex: company name on slides or product name during presentation).

Moderate: Written notification, with a copy to the individual’s management and an explanation of the FTA/FFTA non-commercialism policy; copy to Board of Directors and Trustees (ex: mild “sales pitch” for product).

Flagrant: Immediate action during the presentation, if possible; written notification to the individual and company management with an explanation, and possible suspension as a speaker or participant for the company in all FTA/FFTA events for one year (ex: strong sales pitch with pricing information, or direct reference to advantages of one product versus competition). (Requires Board of Directors/Trustees approval.)

If you need help or have specific questions regarding our non-commercial policy, please direct your email to markc@flexography.org or call Mark Cisternino, President at 631-737-6020.