Partnership Opportunities

I. ARA and CME rules and regulations:

• The ARA reserves the right to refuse exhibit space or promotional activity space for any reason. The ARA reserves the right to close an exhibit or promotional activity for any reason. In addition, any representatives of the exhibiting company who conduct themselves unethically or outside the guidelines provided.

• ARA’s CME accrediting body may ask a company to remove their exhibit. Adherence to Guidelines – It is the responsibility of the exhibiting company to distribute the guidelines below to all company representatives attending the CME activity and/or working in the exhibit space.

• Arrangements for commercial exhibits and/or promotional activities and/or in-kind support cannot influence planning or interfere with the presentation, nor can they be a condition of the provision of commercial support for the CME activity.

• Exhibit and/or promotional activity fees and/or in-kind support are not considered commercial support of the CME activity and will not be acknowledged as educational grants.

• Distribution of literature, samples, etc., in the exhibit area by firms that are not participating as paid exhibitors is strictly prohibited.

• Social events or promotional activities at the CME activity cannot compete with or take precedence over the CME activity or other official conference activities. Industry-sponsored social events or promotional activities, including exhibiting company-sponsored social events or promotional activities, must be approved by the ARA, even if the events are off-site.

• The exhibiting company must be granted prior approval from ARA if it desires to provide funds for the use of social events and/or promotional activities. The exhibiting company must provide all funds approved for such events to the ARA.

The exhibiting company agrees that its actions, and the actions of its representatives, shall
not violate the following CME guidelines:

• Product-promotion material or product-specific advertisement of any type is prohibited in or during the CME/CE activity. The juxtaposition of editorial and advertising material on the same products or subjects is not allowed. Live promotional activities/exhibits/advertising must be kept separate from the CME/CE activity. Promotional materials cannot be displayed or distributed in the education space immediately before, during or after a CME/CE activity. Representatives of ineligible companies (commercial interests) may not engage in sales or promotional activities while in the space or place of the CME/CE activity.

• EXHIBITOR/SPONSOR may distribute promotional materials at their exhibit space only. Distribution of drugs or other samples is prohibited.

• ARA agrees to provide exhibit space and to acknowledge the EXHIBITOR/SPONSOR in activity announcements.

• All commercial support associated with this activity will be given with the full knowledge and approval of the ARA. No other payments shall be given to the director of the activity, planning committee members, teachers or authors, joint sponsor, or any others involved with the supported activity.

• The EXHIBITOR/SPONSOR, JOINT SPONSOR and/or the ARA agree to abide by all requirements of Joint Accreditation, JAC 12a and 12b, Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.

• Representatives of an exhibiting company can attend the CME activity at the discretion of the ARA but cannot engage in sales or promotional activities while in the space of the CME activity, as determined by the ARA, consistent with the ACCME guidance. Representatives of the exhibiting company must remove their company name badges and anything with a corporate logo, tradename or a product group message while in the educational space of the CME activity.

II. General terms of this agreement to exhibit at the ARA conference:

• No subletting of space is permitted.

• No industry representative may attend without being registered. All industry representatives must be registered within 1 of 2 categories: sponsor/exhibitor or additional industry.

• Exhibitors are responsible for shipping, storage, and installation of exhibit materials, and all costs involved thereby.

• Cancellations: the ARA requires all cancellations to be made in writing.

  • on/prior to February 2, 2026: fees refunded minus $500 administrative fee

  • from February 3 - March 1, 2026: 50% fees refunded

  • after March 2, 2026: no refund

• The ARA and the Alyeska Resort do not guarantee against theft, vandalism, or other damage to exhibitor booths. The exhibitor halls are locked overnight.

• It is expressly understood that exhibitors shall indemnify and hold harmless the ARA and the Alyeska Resort of all liability (damage or accident) that might ensue from any cause in connection with transfer, installation, maintenance, or removal of exhibits, or in display of exhibits.

• In the event of fire, strikes, or other uncontrollable circumstances, the contract for space will not be binding.

• It is expressly understood that the ARA will not pay for special equipment, facilities and services ordered by exhibitors.

• Electrical and other apparatus must be operated so that the noise does not interfere with other exhibitors.

• Care must be taken by the exhibitor not to deface or destroy any part of the exhibit areas. In the event of property damage caused by him/her, the exhibiting company will be held responsible.

• Use of the name “Alaska Rheumatology Alliance” or that of any officer or staff member of ARA, in recommendation of a product or services, is expressly prohibited.

• Table space not occupied by the close of the exhibit installation period as specified above (8 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026), will be forfeited by the exhibitor, and this space may be resold, reassigned or used by the conference management (unless special arrangements have been made with the ARA meeting management).