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2021 VLA Vendor Information

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Booth Registration is Closed 10/5/21

 



Details for vendors:

Attendee List: VLA will provide a list of attendee names, organizations and email addresses to the Contact Name listed above. Attendees will have the opportunity to opt-out of this list; VLA can not guarantee that the list will represent ALL attendees. The list will be sent to the Contact Name listed above by October 6. Cost: $175. (This item can be purchased as an add-on later. You do not need to make the purchase right now. If purchased after October 6 or on site, the cost of the list is $225.)


Cancellations are subject to a 50% processing fee and must be received in writing by October 1. Cancellations after October 1 can not be refunded.

Exhibitor Details
We recognize the importance of the Vendors and their participation to make our conference a success. Some highlights:

WEDNESDAY: Vendors will be able to load in starting at 5pm on Wednesday, October 27. Hollins Inc. is our show decorator. They will send Vendor packets in September 2021.

THURSDAY: Official Exhibit Hall Hours are 8:30am-5pm. The ribbon on our Exhibit Hall will be cut at 8:30am on Thursday, October 28. In an effort to provide more traffic to the exhibit booths, VLA will provide a box lunch to all registrants in the Exhibit Hall on Thursday, from 11:45-1:00pm, and will provide non-conflict time on Thursday afternoon, and again on Friday morning. On Thursday evening, all vendors are invited to a private reception hosted by VLA. Open bar and appetizers will be served.

FRIDAY: On Friday morning we will offer coffee in the Exhibit area from 8:00am-9:00am. The Exhibits will officially close at noon.

HOTEL ROOMS: The Richmond Marriott is a Marriott property. Rooms in our block are $159 per night plus taxes and fees. Self and valet parking are available.

Booth fees are $625 for the first booth ($700 if registered after October 1) and $325 for each additional booth. Please refer to the enclosed booth layout when requesting individual booths. Booths will be assigned based on the date application and fee is received. Confirmation letters with booth assignments will be e-mailed to you. VLA accepts payments via credit card by phone, checks by mail or via the VLA website.

Exhibitor Agreement
EXHIBIT RULES AND REGULATIONS
The following rules and regulations are incorporated by reference into the Exhibitor's Space Application and shall govern the use of the exhibit space contracted for as if they had been fully set forth in the Exhibitor's Space Application. These regulations are established for the mutual protection of VLA and the exhibitors. It is the responsibility of the exhibiting firm to be fully familiar with these regulations and to see that each member of the firm attending the conference exhibit is also familiar with the regulations.

AGREEMENT FOR SPACE
The application for booth space, upon acceptance by VLA and assignment of space and full payment of fees, constitutes an agreement for rental of the space assigned. The agreement will not be binding upon VLA in the event of strikes or other circumstances beyond VLA control.

PAYMENT FOR SPACE Applications must be accompanied by the full payment, made payable to Virginia Library Association. VLA reserves the right to delay space reservations if the full amount is not received with the application.

CANCELLATION OR WITHDRAWAL Upon giving written notice, the exhibitor may cancel or withdraw from exhibiting at the 2021 conference subject to the following conditions and restrictions. Written cancellations received prior to October 1 - 50% REFUND. Written cancellations received after October 1, 2021 - NO REFUND. VLA will have the right to use the cancelled space to suit its own convenience, including sale of the space to another exhibitor without any rebate or allowances to the cancelled exhibitor. For 2021, VLA is planning an in-person conference with best practice safety provisions. VLA has modified its cancellation policy to reflect the changing conditions, and will be flexible should Executive Orders alter plans.

ALLOCATION OF SPACE Applications will be dated and time of receipt applied, allowing for a first-come first-served approach to assigning spaces. VLA reserves the right to alter the exhibit floor plan, or change space assignments in the event of emergency and/or in the interest of any exhibitor. In such event, exhibitor(s) affected will be notified.

OCCUPANCY OF SPACE Installation may begin on Wednesday, October 27 after 5:00 p.m. and should be completed no later than 8:00 am on Thursday. Vendors will be notified of any difference in the time schedule. VLA reserves the right to occupy any space not occupied on the opening day. Final closing time for exhibiting will be designated by VLA and no dismantling or packing may be started prior to closing time.

USE OF SPACE All demonstrations or other activities must be confined to the limits of the exhibit booth space. Displays shall not be placed in such manner as to interfere with other exhibitors. No exhibitor shall assign, sublet, or share space allotted.

RESTRICTIONS IN OPERATIONS OF EXHIBITS VLA reserves the right to restrict exhibits which because of noise, method of operation, materials, or any other reasons, become objectionable, and also to prohibit or even evict any exhibit that in the opinion of the management may detract from the general character of the exhibit as a whole. This reservation includes persons, things, conduct, printed matter, or anything of a character that the management determines is objectionable to the exhibit. In the event of such restriction or eviction, VLA is not liable for any refunds or rentals or other exhibit expenses. Showing of projected pictures will only be permitted within the confines of the exhibitor's booth. Exhibitor's operating sound reproducing equipment will be expected to keep the sound at a reasonable volume in order to avoid disturbing or interfering with other exhibitors.

CARE OF BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT Exhibitors, or their agents, shall not injure or deface the walls or floors of the building, the booths, or the equipment of the booths. When such damage occurs, the exhibitor is liable to the owner of the property so damaged.

LIABILITY AND INSURANCE VLA or the Richmond Marriott, including their officers, representatives, conference committee and any individuals, or firms retained by it to assist in exhibit work) shall not be responsible for or liable for any bodily injury or property damage, loss or destruction that may occur to the exhibitor, or to any of the exhibitor's employees, personnel, or property, prior to, during, or subsequent to exhibitor's use and occupancy of the exhibit booth space during the period of time contracted for thereunder. Exhibitors are advised to consult their insurance brokers for proper coverage on display material from the time it leaves their company's premises until its return. In most cases, a rider can be added to a current policy for a nominal cost.

HOLD HARMLESS CLAUSE: The exhibitor assumes the entire responsibility and liability for losses, damages, and claims arising out of exhibitor’s activities on the Hotel premises and will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Hotel, its owner, and its management company, as well as their respective agents, servants, and employees from any and all such losses, damages, and claims.

MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS VLA reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any company or organization to exhibit. VLA reserves the right to make changes in the time schedule or in the general plan of the exhibit if the changes are deemed in the best interest of exhibitors and the exhibit in general. Drawing for prizes may be conducted by exhibitors within their exhibit area if done in a dignified manner.

These regulations have become a part of the contract between the exhibitor and VLA. They have been formulated in the best interest of the exhibitors. The management respectfully asks the full cooperation of the exhibitors in their observance. All points not covered are subject to the decision of the management.

Once you have completed the online registration form and paid for your space, a confirmation email will be sent to you.

Lisa R. Varga, [email protected]
Executive Director
Virginia Library Association
P.O. Box 56312
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

 

Every year, the VLA Executive Committee seeks new candidates for open positions on the Executive Committee, and the entire membership votes on those candidates. This year we are seeking candidates for the three positions listed below, so please nominate a colleague or yourself!

  • VP/President Elect (3 years) [Public or Special Library]
  • Second VP (2 years) [Public or Special Library]
  • Treasurer (2 years) [Academic or Special Library]

To learn about the duties and responsibilities, please see page 15 of the VLA Manual, listed here. In order to keep the Executive Committee balanced between different types of libraries we try to alternate for each officer position.

Beginning October 29 (at the end of the 2021 VLA Annual Conference), these successful candidates will be joining the following members of the Executive Committee:

K.T. Vaughan, President
Jennifer Resor-Whicker, Immediate Past-President
Maryska Connolly-Brown, Secretary
Lucy Wittkower, ALA Councilor
Lisa R. Varga, Executive Director

 

Please submit your nomination to Jennifer Resor-Whicker, Chair of the Nominating Committee, at [email protected], by April 9th. Any questions can be directed to her via email.

In addition, you may wish to contact the other members of the Nominating Committee:

 

 

VLA 2020 Conference Information Update

VLA has made the difficult decision not to host a conference this year, in person or online. After an exhaustive search of virtual platforms, we were unable to find one that provided the experience we wanted our attendees, presenters, volunteers and vendors to have, at a reasonable price. The Norfolk Marriott Waterside allowed us to transfer our conference to their location in 2022 without financial penalty.

The cancellation of the VLA conference is frustrating for so many of our participants. This prevents attendees from making new connections and seeing old friends. It prevents us from celebrating our award and scholarship winners, and denies vendors the opportunity to meet you face-to-face and have you see their products in person. It prevents presenters the opportunity to share their knowledge, and for attendees to learn from one another. We know, from years of survey data, that while attendees appreciate the continuing education of a conference, the opportunity to meet new people and network is vital to your professional lives.

VLA is determined to help you continue to make connections. We have heard that our members want to participate in informal zoom gatherings, perhaps focused on trivia or some other gaming event. We are putting a schedule together and will release it shortly.
VLA will host an online Annual Business Meeting this fall. Attendees will need to sign up in advance to be given login credentials. More details about the meeting will be sent to VLA members by the end of next week.

The New York Library Association is offering VLA members the option to attend their online conference, Strengthening Our Core, Thursday, November 5th - Friday, November 6th, 2020, at their discounted, member pricing. Use code CARDINAL when registering; NYLA will extend their early registration rate through October 31 for VLA members. Please visit this page for their programming schedule and pricing: https://www.nyla.org/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=281&MenuKey=conf_info

If you are a presenter for this year, we are very sorry to cause you any disappointment or frustration. For those who wish to include the presentation on their resume or CV, it is generally accepted to list it with the notation “Conference canceled” at the end. Example: “The ACRL Framework and First-Year College Students.” Virginia Libraries Association Annual Conference, Norfolk, VA, October 2020. Conference canceled.

We know this has been a difficult year in so many ways.  This pandemic is challenging for all of us- at home, at school, at work. Libraries in Virginia and nationwide have always been a beacon for the communities we serve and that is due to the hard work and dedication of library workers like you. Even in the midst of challenges we’ve never seen before, libraries have innovated, adapted and have success stories to share when we can all be together in person again.  We hope that you are well, and that you can take time to care for yourself, your friends and your family, and stay well.

Please let me know if you have any questions,
Lisa

Lisa R. Varga, MLS
Executive Director
Virginia Library Association
PO Box 56312
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
757-689-0594 (w)
[email protected]


 

Virginia Library Association Announces 2020 Award Winners

The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) has selected winners for the 2020 association awards from a very competitive application pool. Librarians and library project teams from academic, public, and special libraries across the commonwealth are honored for their exemplary contributions to their communities and profession in 2019. For more details about each winner and their accomplishments, please view the press releases linked below:

Last Updated on Thursday, August 05, 2021 05:34 PM
Read more...
 

VLA Letter to Fairfax County Board of Trustees, August 2020

Last week, the VLA Executive Committee sent the attached letter to the members of the Board of Trustees of Fairfax County Public Library. The letter was in response to a Board Meeting of the FCPL, which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQvU2CvpGUI&feature=youtu.be Our focus was the part of the meeting that begins at the 1:36:30 mark.

A piece has also been done by NBC Washington: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/fairfax-county-library-board-member-accused-of-racist-remarks/2398023/

The Executive Committee would like to thank our Librarians of Color Forum for their assistance with our response.

 
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