Shady is a conservative word for the latest questionable practice which has descended on the Business Events industry.
A well-prepared digital marketing event programme is circulated extensively. The programme is filled with such pertinent information and high-profile presenters that the unsuspecting company completes the registration form for one, two or more delegates and sends through to their Accounts Department for payment.
The usual two day programme has a high price tag however for a programme of such magnitude – the business event promo is just too good to resist.
Few – if any – check the fine print which states: if at any time the event is postponed (not cancelled) further dates will be advised with limited opportunity for a refund. A certain percentage refund may be considered on condition the request is placed in writing and received by a certain date. There is no reason to assume the postponement will not be repeated over and again plus disappearing with a substantial sum.
It is unclear how many unsuspecting companies have been ‘taken-in’ by this dubious practice. Be warned this scam is more than shady – it could be regarded as the serious dark side of business events. You have been warned .
