Policies Governing Conference Registration, Conference Attendees,
Speakers and Presenters, and Exhibitors

Registration Policies

  1. All individuals in WLA conference spaces are required to have registration credentials (a registered attendee name badge). WLA staff (and in some cases venue staff) will monitor activities to ensure that all individuals in conference spaces are registered for the event/conference. These include but are not limited to keynote speaker addresses, breakout sessions, receptions, banquet functions, exhibit hall access, and tours.

    a. Spouses, partners, or other non-industry guests are required to register for every WLA conference function they choose to attend. These include but are not limited to keynote speaker addresses, breakout sessions, receptions, banquet functions, exhibit hall access, and tours.

  2. Registration is required for all attendees at virtual events, even if attendees plan to participate in a group setting.

  3. There will be a preferential registration fee for WLA members. A preferential registration fee may be extended to other groups with the approval of the WLA Board of Directors.

  4. Unless otherwise indicated, volunteers are expected to pay the regular registration fees to attend the conference.

  5. Speakers are required to register for the conference if they plan to attend other conference events in addition to their individual session. Speakers do not need to register if they will only participate in/attend their individual session.

  6. Individuals registering for conferences and events must be current on payments for past events. WLA reserves the right to decline registration to individuals who have outstanding invoices for past events.

  7. All conference attendees are required to review and sign the WLA Code of Conduct as part of the registration process.

Speaker/Presenter Policies

  1. The purpose of all keynote and breakout sessions at WLA Conferences is to provide educational content and focus.

  2. Honoraria for keynote speakers will be negotiated by WLA staff in consultation with the conference committee.

  3. WLA does not provide compensation* of any kind to breakout presenters. Breakout presenters that fall under this policy include, but are not limited to, employees and trustees of Wisconsin Libraries, library agencies or library systems; and those presenters not related to the Wisconsin library community. *Special circumstances that are individually agreed upon may apply.

  4. All conference speakers and presenters are required to review and sign the WLA Code of Conduct.

Exhibit Hall Policies

  1. Exhibitors must register all representatives in attendance.

  2. Selling or sales presentations are limited to the tradeshow floor and only by registered exhibitors. Any individual that is not a registered exhibitor is prohibited from soliciting WLA attendees in any space at the venue during the conference.

  3. Exhibitors are required to staff their booth during posted exhibit hall hours. Tear-down before the posted tear-down period is not allowed unless approved by WLA in advance.

  4. No unregistered individuals will be allowed on the tradeshow floor. This includes, but is not limited to, unregistered industry or non-industry individuals, vendors, visitors, and/or guests.

Onsite Food & Beverage

  1. WLA staff will do their best to accommodate individuals with food allergens and other dietary restrictions. However, we cannot guarantee that event food offerings will meet every dietary request or requirement.

  2. For food safety reasons and in compliance with venue policies and/or contractual catering agreements, attendees are not permitted to carry food out from WLA conference banquet buffets or any other functions.

  3. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages may be served at WLA socials, receptions, and other networking events. Participants at WLA events are expected to drink responsibly. WLA and venue staff have the right to deny service to attendees for any reason and may require an attendee to leave the event.

Individuals who violate any of the above policies may face expulsion from the conference function or the conference overall and will not be allowed to attend in-person WLA conferences for a period as determined by the Executive Committee of the WLA Board of Directors.

Approved by the WLA Board of Directors 7/12/2024.