The Flexographic Technical Association/Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association has a mission of providing technical information, training, and a forum for the exchange of ideas and solutions for the advancement of the flexographic printing industry. FTA/FFTA does not promote any form of commercial exploitation of individual companies, people, products or services. Therefore, it has implemented two variations of a non-commercialism policy: one being strict the other relaxed. These policies are applied using the judgement of the management, meeting and board leadership. The Relaxed Non-Commercialism Policy is defined as follows:

DEFINITION: SPEAKERS MAY COMMUNICATE IN TERMINOLOGY THAT CONVEYS PRODUCT-SPECIFIC DETAILS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDRESSING DIFFERENTIATION FROM OTHER PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET, YET AVOIDS ANY REFERENCE TO THE PROMOTION OF A COMPANY, PRODUCT, SERVICE AND PROCESS, OR IN ANY WAY THAT PROVIDES A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE TO A COMPANY OR INDIVIDUAL.

1. Presentations at all FTA/FFTA meetings (Forums, Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, etc.) will focus on technical issues and processes that provide solutions on the particular topic being addressed.
2. Specific reference to a speaker company’s product trade name is permitted to the extent that the speaker is attempting to convey the attributes of the product that differentiate it from other similar products and/or where the use of a product name is essential to the effective description of the technology.
   • Discussion of specific product features/attributes is permitted
   • Images of the product may be displayed on PowerPoint slides without the need to remove a company name or logo on the product.
   • Images of competitive products may not be used for comparison purposes.
3. Reference to a competitive technology is permitted to the extent that the speaker refers to it by generic description rather than by specific trade name. Negative comments regarding a competitive technology are never
4. Reference to product pricing or pricing comparisons is never A speaker may, however, refer to anticipated cost savings or increased ROI as long as such data is documented.
5. PowerPoint templates are provided by FTA/FFTA and are required to be used without modification.
6. FTA/FFTA meetings are not a “sales venue”. A speaker’s name and company affiliation are only permitted on the introductory and closing slides, not throughout the presentation.
7. All presentations must be reviewed by the session chair, program chair, and FTA/FFTA management during a scheduled Speaker Briefing and once approved, will be considered final with no further changes permitted.
8. Handouts are permitted but MUST receive prior approval from the session chair, program chair and FTA/FFTA management by submitting a proof no later than the scheduled Speaker Briefing.

 

ACTIONS AS A RESULT OF INFRACTIONS:

Minor:  Verbal or written notification of infraction (ex: company name on slides or product name on slides or spoken verbally during the presentation) along with a copy of the Relaxed Non-Commercialism Policy will be sent to the speaker within 30 days.

Moderate: Written notification of the infraction (e.g. mild “sales pitch” for product made during the presentation) along with a copy of the Relaxed Non-Commercialism Policy will be sent to the speaker within 30 days. A copy of the letter will also be sent to the individual’s management, FTA Board of Directors and FTA Trustees. Should an individual speaker commit a second moderate infraction, such infraction will be considered flagrant with actions taken outlined below.

Flagrant:  Immediate action will be taken by the session chair, program chair or by a member of the FTA/FFTA management team during the presentation including notifying the speaker of the infraction and/or terminating the presentation. Written notification along with a copy of this Relaxed Non-Commercialism Policy will be sent to the speaker within 30 days. A copy of this letter will also be sent to the individual’s management, FTA Board of Directors and FFTA Trustees. The speaker will be subject to a one-year suspension from speaking at any FTA/FFTA meeting.