General Terms and Conditions

(As of: 2026-08-11)

3.1. Scope

These terms and conditions of participation and business apply to all registrations and orders to participate as an exhibitor at the career & competence / master lounge. The offer is aimed exclusively at entrepreneurs, educational institutions and organizations that are entrepreneurs within the meaning of Section 1 (2) KSchG; consumers within the meaning of Section 1 KSchG are excluded from participation as exhibitors. By registering, the exhibitor declares that they are acting as an entrepreneur.

3.2. Organizer

The career & competence / master lounge in Innsbruck is hosted and organized by SoWi-Holding GmbH, Saline 17, 6060 Hall in Tirol, company register number 573849x, VAT ID ATU 77857767 (hereinafter “Organizer”).

3.3. Objectives

The aim of the career & competence / master lounge is to bring Young Professionals, graduates and students at the university location of Tyrol into contact with interesting future employers and to provide information about master’s degree programs and postgraduate study opportunities.

The exhibitors must contribute to the achievement of the goal by staffing their stands with appropriately qualified stand personnel.

3.4. Registration and conclusion of contract

Registration and ordering of a stand is carried out exclusively via the online shop at https://sowiholding.at/ and must be submitted in full. Oral, telephone or conditional registrations cannot be considered. The registration deadlines can be found in the respective registration information.

By submitting the order, the exhibitor makes a binding offer to conclude the participation agreement and agrees to these terms and conditions of participation and business. The contract is concluded upon receipt of the organizer’s order confirmation; admission is decided by the organizer (Section 3.5).

Other agreements are only binding on the organizer if the organizer has confirmed them in writing (email is sufficient).

3.5. Admission

The organizer has the sole right to decide on the admission of exhibitors. The organizer reserves the right to reject an exhibitor’s participation due to the limited total exhibition space, due to a late registration, due to the participation fee not being transferred on time, as well as for other reasons.

An exhibitor is not entitled to any further admissions as a result of a previous admission.

If admission is refused or the exhibitor’s offer is not accepted, any payments already made will be refunded in full within 14 days. The exhibitor has no further claims arising from non-admission.

3.6. Participation Fee and Scope of Services

The participation fee and the services included therein can be found in the online shop and will be sent with the order confirmation.

3.7. Payment

The participation fee according to the order confirmation must be paid within 14 days of invoicing, in any case before the start of the event, without deduction. If registration is less than 14 days before the event, the participation fee is due immediately and must be received before the start of the event. Admission to the event requires full receipt of payment.

Complaints regarding the invoices can only be considered if they are made in writing to the organizer within 14 days of the invoice date.

3.8. Withdrawal of the Exhibitor

Withdrawal from the contract must be made in writing. If the contract is withdrawn up to 65 days before the event, a cancellation fee of half of the agreed participation fee must be paid. If the withdrawal occurs after this date, the entire agreed amount of the participation fee must be paid as a cancellation fee, regardless of whether the stand in question is re-let by the organizer or not.

3.9. Withdrawal and exclusion by the organizer

The organizer may withdraw from the contract or exclude the exhibitor from the ongoing event if

a) the participation fee has not been paid in full despite a grace period of 7 days being granted,

b) despite a warning, the exhibitor violates these terms of participation, official requirements or safety regulations, or

c) the registration is based on incorrect material information provided by the exhibitor.

In these cases, the organizer’s claim to the participation fee as a cancellation fee pursuant to Section 3.8 remains in force mutatis mutandis; the right to assert further damages remains reserved.

3.10. Stand/space allocation

The stands are allocated in the order of the received and confirmed registrations by the organizer.

The allocation of the stands is exclusively reserved to the organizer and is made taking into account the theme and structure of the event as well as the available premises or the total area.

Stand requests will be considered if possible.

Exchanging the allocated stand with another exhibitor is not permitted without the organizer’s prior written consent. Section 3.11 applies to making the stand available to third parties and to the inclusion of co-exhibitors.

3.11. Joint stands and co-exhibitors

The inclusion of additional exhibitors at the stand (co-exhibitors) as well as any partial or complete transfer of the stand to third parties requires the organizer’s prior written consent (email is sufficient). If several exhibitors wish to use a stand jointly, they shall name in the registration an exhibition representative authorized by them who will be the responsible contact person for the organizer.

For each approved co-exhibitor, a fee amounting to 25% of the price of the standard stand package according to the current price list plus VAT must be paid; this includes the co-exhibitor’s entry in the exhibitor profile. These terms of participation apply mutatis mutandis to co-exhibitors; the registering exhibitor is responsible for ensuring compliance by the co-exhibitor.

If an exhibitor brings a co-exhibitor to the stand without the organizer’s consent, the organizer may demand their removal; the fee pursuant to paragraph 2 must also be paid in this case.

3.12. Failure to occupy the stand

If the stand is not visibly occupied by 9:30 AM on the day of the event, the organizer may otherwise dispose of the stand area, in particular allocate it to other exhibitors or close it off for design purposes. The claim to the full participation fee remains unaffected.

3.13. Opening Hours

For the exhibitors, the fair is open on the day of the event from 07:30 – 20:00. For visitors, the fair is open on the day of the event from 10:00 – 16:00; during this time, the stands must be staffed by the stand personnel.

3.14. Domiciliary rights

The organizer exercises domiciliary rights during set-up and dismantling as well as during the event. The organizer’s instructions and those of its representatives must be followed. In the event of violations of these terms of participation, official requirements or safety regulations, the organizer may, after an unsuccessful request, take the necessary measures at the exhibitor’s expense; in case of imminent danger, also without prior request.

3.15. Construction and dismantling of the stand decoration

The exact information about the construction and dismantling of the stand decoration, as well as the delivery of the fair material, will be announced to the exhibitors in good time.

The construction can be carried out by the exhibitors on the day before the event between 8:00 – 17:00. The dismantling can begin at the earliest after the end of the fair (from 16:00) and must be completed by 12:00 noon of the following day at the latest. Own stand systems must without exception be removed from the hall by 12:00 noon of the following day.
A removal of exhibits and the dismantling of stands before the end of the event (16:00) is inadmissible and has the charging of a penalty of EUR 1,000,- as a consequence. If the exhibitor exceeds the above set-up and dismantling times, the additional costs incurred as a result, in particular surcharges by the venue, will be charged on.

Only materials permitted under fire safety regulations may be used as stand decoration. For own carpets and textile decor, a fire safety certificate must be brought along and presented on request.
The fire behavior of decoration and advertising materials must meet the requirements applicable at the venue, in particular the flammability classes:

• B1 (flame-retardant),
• Q1 (low smoke emission) and
• TR1 (non-dripping).

Easily flammable materials (e.g. paper, wood wool, straw, reed mats) may not be used.
When using audiovisual equipment (TVs, monitors, projectors, etc.), the exhibitor must ensure that it does not disturb neighboring exhibitors. Own speakers, announcements with microphones or music are not permitted. Each exhibitor will be informed in good time about the size and location of their stand so that stand decoration can be prepared accordingly. Structural changes on the set-up day before the start of the event can no longer be made.

All facilities and structures must be set up in a stable manner. Loudspeakers and spotlights overhead, with a dead weight of more than 3 kg, must be double-secured.

Advertising towers that are operated with hot air or air blowers must be secured against falling over in the event of a power failure.

Balloons filled with helium or other gases may not be used. Smoke, fog and haze effects, dry ice, open flames, pyrotechnic effects and the misting of fragrances or aerosols are also prohibited. Rising balloons and smoke development can trigger the venue’s fire alarm and sprinkler system and result in evacuation of the hall. The costs of a false alarm triggered by the exhibitor, in particular the fire brigade’s deployment costs as well as evacuation and consequential costs, shall be borne by the exhibitor.

All cables, lines and floor connections in the stand and aisle area must be laid and secured so that there is no tripping hazard; they must be covered with suitable adhesive tape, cable bridges or cable ducts. The organizer may demand immediate rectification; if the exhibitor does not comply, Section 3.14 (Domiciliary rights) applies.

Suspensions from the hall ceiling as well as structures that extend beyond the system stand require the organizer’s prior written consent and may only be carried out by authorized (licensed) companies; the required proof of qualification and structural approvals must be presented on request.

The following applies at the venue in particular: general smoking ban in all rooms; open fire, candles and oil lamps only with the organizer’s prior consent; bringing in liquefied gas containers (propane/butane) and compressed gas cylinders is prohibited; animals are not permitted – except assistance and guide dogs for the blind. For displayed vehicles, the battery must be disconnected and the fuel tank emptied down to a minimal fill level. The house rules and safety regulations of the respective venue must be complied with.

The exhibitor is responsible for the conduct of its employees, agents and the stand builders engaged by it as for its own conduct.

3.16. Stand construction

The stand construction (standard stand) is carried out with 2.5m high aluminum uprights, as well as aluminum frames and 6mm homogeneous panels drawn in as wall elements (information sheet system walls). The uprights and frames must not be nailed, screwed, painted or glued. Painting over the homogeneous panels, wallpapering with non-removable wallpaper, as well as gluing with carpet adhesive tapes is not permitted. Damaged stand elements will be repaired or newly procured at the expense of the exhibitor.

Gluing the homogeneous panels with easily removable adhesive tape is permitted, as is wallpapering with removable wallpaper, provided that this does not result in any damage to the homogeneous panels. These must be removed without residue immediately after the end of the event, otherwise the additional expense will be charged. Until the proper return of the rented material or furniture to the stand construction company, the exhibitor/client is also liable for accidental damage. In case of improper return, the new price of the missing or damaged items will be charged. Complaints will only be accepted until the start of the event.

3.17. Advance Deliveries and Collection

Advance deliveries may be delivered at the earliest 7 days before the start of the fair and must be received at the address of the event location by the Tuesday before the start of the fair at the latest. Returns must be commissioned and collected by the exhibitor by the Friday after the end of the fair at the latest. The exhibitor is solely responsible for delivery, collection and shipping.

Delivery, interim storage and collection are exclusively at the exhibitor’s expense and risk. The organizer assumes no custody of items delivered or made available for collection; acceptance, interim storage or provision by the organizer or the venue does not constitute safekeeping. The organizer is only liable for loss or damage in cases of intent or gross negligence (Section 3.20); insuring the items is the exhibitor’s responsibility (Section 3.22).

Items remaining after the collection deadline may be removed and stored by the organizer at the exhibitor’s expense and risk.

3.18. Direct sales, prize draws, promotional gifts and stand activities

Direct sales are not permitted unless expressly permitted by the fair organization. The implementation of sweepstakes of any kind requires prior consultation with the fair organization. The distribution of food and beverages at the stand is only permitted with the organizer’s prior consent and within the framework of the venue’s requirements (exclusive rights of the contracted catering company).

Advertising materials and promotional gifts (give-aways) must not pose any danger or disturbance to visitors, stand personnel or third parties. In particular, the following may not be distributed:

• Items with a risk of injury, in particular knives and pocket knives, tools with blades, scissors, as well as pointed or sharp-edged objects;
• Lighters, matches, pressurized gas containers, sprays and other easily flammable items;
• Items that are suitable for producing sudden loud noises (e.g. whistles, horns, compressed-air fanfares, firecrackers), as these can trigger fright and panic reactions in the crowd;
• High-visibility vests, security or steward markings, as well as similar clothing and signs that could lead to confusion with the event’s steward, security or rescue services;
• alcoholic beverages, tobacco and nicotine products, as well as other products that may not be supplied to minors.

The organizer may prohibit the distribution of further items if they are expected to pose a danger or disrupt the operation of the event. In case of doubt, the planned distribution must be coordinated with the organizer in advance. Items already distributed or kept ready must be removed immediately at the organizer’s request.

Consultation, stand supervision and all stand activities must take place within the rented stand area. Approaching and advising visitors in the aisles as well as placing personnel, furniture, advertising materials or waiting facilities outside the stand area is not permitted.

If attractions, prize draws, raffles, photo or hands-on activities and similar program items are expected to result in queues or increased visitor traffic, the exhibitor must plan them so that queues can be accommodated entirely within its own stand area and aisles, escape and rescue routes as well as emergency exits remain clear at all times. The exhibitor informs the organizer about such program items in advance and, if necessary, books a sufficiently large stand area. The organizer may restrict or prohibit program items that impair visitor flow or safety.

3.19. Guarding and Cleaning

Security of the fair hall is carried out by agents of the fair organization. The organizer is only liable for loss or damage to exhibits in cases of intent or gross negligence. The exhibitor is solely responsible and liable for the security and supervision of the individual stand during the daily opening hours as well as during set-up and dismantling. At night, movable objects must be locked away. For additional stand security, the exhibitor must use the security company employed by the fair organization at its own expense.

The fair organization is responsible for the general cleaning of the grounds and the hall aisles. The exhibitor is responsible for cleaning the stand. The cleaning of the stands must be completed daily before the opening of the event.

The exhibitor or the stand builder commissioned by him is responsible for the disposal of the waste caused by him.

3.20. Disclaimer

The organizer assumes no duty of care for the exhibits and the stand equipment and, except in the case of intent or gross negligence, also excludes any liability for damage to them for its employees. This disclaimer also applies if items are stored or accepted by the organizer.

Furthermore, the organizer excludes liability for disadvantages and damages incurred by the exhibitor due to erroneous information in the allocation of space, the stand construction or the stand design approval, flyer and magazine entries as well as due to changes in the stand size not immediately complained about in writing and other faulty services, unless the organizer has to represent this due to intentional or grossly negligent behavior of its own employees. The liability is limited in amount to such damages, the occurrence of which must typically be expected in the case of contracts of the present type.

Excluded from the above exclusions and limitations of liability are damages to life, body and health as well as claims under the Product Liability Act.

3.21. Indemnification

The exhibitor indemnifies the organizer against all third-party claims arising from the operation of its stand or its participation in the event, in particular from damage caused by the exhibitor, its personnel or its agents, from the infringement of copyright, trademark or personal rights through stand design, exhibits or presented content, as well as from omitted or incorrect notifications to collecting societies (in particular AKM, Section 3.29). The indemnification also includes payment and default claims of the venue arising from services that the exhibitor has ordered directly from the venue or its contractual partners, as well as the costs of an appropriate legal defense.

3.22. Insurance

For the duration of the event including set-up and dismantling, the exhibitor must maintain public liability insurance with a coverage sum of at least EUR 1,000,000.00 per claim and provide proof to the organizer upon request. Insurance of the exhibits and stand equipment is the exhibitor’s responsibility.

3.23. Postponement and change of the fair

For objective reasons, the organizer may change the start, duration or venue of the fair even after the contract has been concluded, insofar as this is reasonable for the exhibitor. The exhibitor will be notified of any change without delay.

In the event of a material change – in particular a postponement of the start of the event by more than 6 months or a relocation to a place outside the greater Innsbruck area – the exhibitor may withdraw from the contract in writing (email is sufficient) within 14 days of receipt of the notification; payments already made will be refunded in full in this case.

Further claims by the exhibitor arising from a change, in particular claims for damages, are excluded, except in cases of intent or gross negligence on the part of the organizer.

3.24. Possible circumstances outside the sphere of influence of the organizer or the fair organization

The organizer or the fair organization points out that it is not foreseeable at the time the contract is concluded whether, how and, above all, under what circumstances the event that is the subject of the contract can be carried out. Circumstances that are outside the sphere of influence of the organizer or the fair organization and that lead to the legal conditions, the actual planning and feasibility and the economic opportunities for the event deviating from those at the time the contract was concluded are not the responsibility of the organizer or the fair organization. Accordingly, for example, an event that is not carried out due to fire, a severe storm, storm, hail, flooding, earthquake, avalanches, mudslides, strikes, epidemic or pandemic (e.g. “COVID-19 pandemic”), civil unrest or riots, terrorist threat or attack, the latent danger of a bomb attack, war, reasons that relate to the protection of public safety, public health, or other reasons of public interest, etc. are in no way attributable to the organizer or the fair organization. There is therefore no liability or breach of contractual obligations if the event cannot be carried out for such reasons or not in the agreed manner.

It is solely the responsibility of the exhibitor to obtain the information that he considers necessary or essential in this regard. In this context, the organizer or the fair organization has no ancillary and no other contractual obligations, no duty to provide information, no duty to clarify and no duty to advise. However, the organizer or the fair organization may voluntarily inform the exhibitor about such information. The organizer or the fair organization cannot therefore be held liable for a failure to provide notification.

The organizer or the fair organization is free, without further hearing and notification, to take all those measures that must be taken or can be taken on the occasion of such an extraordinary factual and legal situation.

If the organizer or the fair organization has to cancel an event due to a circumstance outside the sphere of influence or shorten or cancel an event that has already begun, the exhibitor has no claim to a refund or waiver of the participation fee. However, if the circumstance occurs up to 100 days before the start of the event, a cancellation fee of half of the agreed participation fee must be paid.

3.25. Digital fair

If the in-person fair cannot take place for reasons within the meaning of Section 3.24, the organizer is entitled to hold the fair alternatively as a digital fair; the decision on this lies with the organizer.

In this case, the participation agreement will continue with the digital fair as the subject matter of the contract; the exhibitors will participate in the digital fair. The participation fee is reduced by 30% compared to the agreed participation fee for the in-person fair. Any excess amount already paid will be refunded within 14 days or, at the exhibitor’s request, credited for a subsequent event.

The organizer informs the exhibitors without delay about the format, technical requirements and scope of services of the digital fair.

3.26. Fair Special Supplement/Website

An entry in the exhibitor profile is mandatory and included in the participation fee.

3.27. Advertising in the Exhibition Rooms

Advertising of any kind is only permitted within the stand rented by the exhibitor for the exhibitor’s own company or institution and only for the exhibits manufactured, distributed or offered by them. Advertising outside the rented stand is only permitted in exceptional cases after a separate agreement with the fair organization. Political advertising is generally inadmissible.

The transfer of advertising space by an exhibitor to third-party companies is generally not permitted and requires agreement with the fair organization in individual cases.

3.28. Image and Sound Recordings

The organizer and the operator of the venue are entitled to take or have taken photo, film and sound recordings of the exhibition activities, the exhibition stands and the exhibited objects and to use them for documentation, reporting and self-promotion in print, online and social media channels, in podcasts and on video platforms. The exhibitor grants the organizer and the operator of the venue the necessary rights of use to the stand design and the exhibited objects free of charge and warrants that no third-party rights conflict with this.

The exhibitor informs its stand personnel and agents before the event that image and sound recordings may be made during the event and published in the channels mentioned.

For recordings that clearly focus on identifiable individuals – in particular interviews as well as recordings of stage programs and workshops with identifiable participants – the organizer obtains separate, documented consent from the persons concerned.

Information on the processing of personal data in connection with image and sound recordings (Art. 13 GDPR) is available at https://sowiholding.at/datenschutzerklaerung/ and will be made accessible at the venue by clearly visible signage.

3.29. Obligation to Register with AKM for Music Use

The exhibitor is obliged to carry out all necessary registrations with AKM on its own responsibility and in good time. This applies in particular to any use of music at the fair stand, as part of workshops, stage performances or similar event formats.

3.30. Data protection

The organiser and/or the fair organisation collects, stores and processes personal data disclosed by exhibitors when registering to participate in the fair for the establishment, performance and processing of the contractual relationship with the exhibitors (Art 6 para 1 lit b GDPR). Insofar as the organiser and/or the fair organisation uses external partners to fulfil contractual obligations, the data disclosed during fair registration will be passed on to them.

The organiser and/or the fair organisation also uses the contact details provided during registration (name, e-mail address, telephone number of the contact persons) to inform the exhibitor about future, comparable events of its own and to invite them to participate in follow-up events (direct marketing to existing customers in accordance with Section 174 TKG 2021 on the basis of legitimate interest pursuant to Art 6 para 1 lit f GDPR). The exhibitor may object to this use at any time free of charge – already during registration, by e-mail to info@sowiholding.at or via the unsubscribe link. An objection has no effect on the contractual relationship.

The data is processed exclusively within the framework of the statutory provisions and for the purposes stated. Additional information, in particular on recipients, storage period and data subject rights, is available at https://sowiholding.at/datenschutzerklaerung/.

3.31. Data collection by the exhibitor

If the exhibitor collects personal data from visitors at the stand or as part of the event (such as contact details, application documents or prize draw entries), it is solely the data controller within the meaning of Art. 4(7) GDPR and must itself fulfill all data protection obligations, in particular the information obligations under Art. 13 GDPR. The exhibitor indemnifies the organizer against claims resulting from a breach of these obligations.

3.32. Final provisions

Written form
Deviations from the content of these terms of participation as well as ancillary agreements are only binding if the organizer has confirmed them in writing (email is sufficient).

Applicable law
Austrian law applies, excluding conflict-of-law rules.

Place of performance and jurisdiction
The place of performance is Innsbruck. The exclusive place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising out of or in connection with this contract is the court in Innsbruck with subject-matter jurisdiction.

Severability clause
Should individual provisions of these terms of participation be or become wholly or partially invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.