Regulations concerning the Top Buyers program for The MIX
PREAMBLE
These Regulations set out the terms and conditions that apply to the participation of "Top Buyers" in the "The MIX" (hereinafter referred to as the "Event") organised by Metz Evénements at the Robert Schuman Congress Centre in Metz (hereinafter referred to as the "Venue").
The "Top Buyer" status is reserved for professionals working in the field of events who have tangible event projects, the authority to choose venues and service providers for their next events, as well as an interest in the "4 Frontiers" geographical area.
As part of the Event organisation, Metz Evénements selects 200 Top Buyers based on the following criteria: their decision-making authority, the typology and frequency of events they organise, and the geographical area in which the events take place.
The Top Buyers are invited to the Event by Metz Evénements in order to meet the exhibitors involved in the Event. The timetables for these meetings are pre-organised via the "The MIX" online website (hereinafter referred to as the "Event Website").
The Organiser reserves the right to amend or supplement these Regulations whenever it deems necessary to ensure the smooth running of the Event.
Please note that the use of the Event Website is subject to a Privacy Policy and General Terms and Conditions of Use ("GTCU"), which can be consulted on the Event Website.
1 - REGISTRATION PROCEDURE
Applications to join the Top Buyers programme must be made using the online form on the Event Website. By submitting the registration form and accepting these regulations, the Top Buyer makes a firm and irrevocable commitment to take part in the Event, unless the registration is refused by Metz Evénements.
Metz Evénements reserves the right to refuse an application for inclusion in the Top Buyers programme based on objective criteria, such as the applicant's decision-making authority, the type and frequency of events they organise, and the geographical area in which the events take place. The applicant will be informed of this refusal by email. No explanation is required concerning the refusal, which cannot be challenged.
Top Buyers guarantee all the information transmitted in the registration form is accurate and true. Top Buyers must inform Metz Evénements of any changes (position, company, proceedings against the person or company, etc.), even after their participation in the Top Buyers programme has been validated. In this case, the Organiser reserves the right to reconsider the participation of the Top Buyer concerned in the Top Buyers programme.
In the event that a Top Buyer is unable to attend the Event, then he/she may be replaced by another person from the company, provided that person meets the qualification criteria of the Top Buyers profile. This decision shall belong to Metz Evénements.
Top Buyers may not under any circumstances transfer or share all or part of their participation in the Event, whether for a fee or free of charge.
2 - THE TOP BUYER'S COMMITMENTS
In return for their invitation to the Event, the Top Buyers undertake to:
- Be present at the Venue on 13 and 14 December 2023 from 9am to 6pm;
- Participate in the opening reception party on 12 December 2023 and in the gala evening on 13 December 2023;
- Create a complete profile on the Event Website;
- Use the Event Website to actively pre-organise appointments with exhibitors at the Event (25 appointments of at least 20 minutes to be organised over the two days);
- Register for at least two conferences organised by Metz Evénements as part of the Event;
- Honour all the appointments made via the Event Website ahead of the Event.
If they so wish, Top Buyers may cancel their participation in the Event (free of charge) up to 45 days before the first day of the Event. After this date, they will be required to pay a cancellation fee of €250 (excl. VAT) to Metz Evénements, upon receipt of the corresponding invoice. If a Top Buyer fails to attend the Event, without having provided the requisite notification, he/she shall be charged €250 excluding VAT.
On a general level, the Top Buyers must show an interest in the services offered by the exhibitors at the Event and shall do their best to work with the exhibitors.
The Top Buyers undertake to dress in an appropriate manner and behave politely with all the stakeholders of the Event. They must also wear their Top Buyers badge.
3 - METZ EVENEMENTS' COMMITMENTS
Metz Evénements shall provide the Top Buyers with a Top Buyers badge on their arrival at the Venue. This allows access to the Venue for the duration of the Event, as well as to reception buffets and dinners. Metz Evénements shall book and pay for the following items linked to the Top Buyers' participation:
- Return train ticket (after confirmation of the itinerary);
- Accommodation in a 4* hotel close to the Venue;
- Lunches and dinners at the Venue, organised as part of the Event.
In the event a Top Buyer makes a change to the schedule less than 15 days before the opening of the Event, the Top Buyer concerned shall bear the costs of changing the bookings made by Metz Evénements. Depending on the date of the Top Buyer's registration on the programme, transport and accommodation may be subject to availability.
4 - BADGE AND ACCESS
A Top Buyers badge will be given to Top Buyers on their arrival at the Event Venue. The badge must be worn as of the opening reception evening on 12 December 2023.
The badge and its digital version are issued on the basis of the information provided in the registration form and confirmed in the Top Buyers area on the Event Website. The badge will be scanned by the participants in the Event and Metz Evénements, when the Top Buyers arrive at the Event, the conferences, and the evening receptions. As such, the Top Buyers hereby agree to the transmission of their contact information when their badge is scanned.
Top Buyers are not allowed to distribute, reproduce or sell their access badge. Non-compliance with this provision may result in legal proceedings.
5 - VENUE ACCESS CONTROL AND SECURITY MEASURES - HEALTH PASS
The badge must be presented during the access control at the Venue. Any person who is not in possession of a valid access badge issued by Metz Evénements may be removed from the Venue site. All persons with a valid Top Buyers Badge shall comply with the security measures adopted by Metz Evénements or provided for in the Venue's internal regulations, or otherwise face possible expulsion from the site and prosecution. Please note that any person that exits the Venue during the event may not return.
5.1 SECURITY CHECKS
While on the Venue site, Top Buyers accept to undergo security searches and agree to visual inspections of their hand luggage by any police officer and/or any representative of Metz Evénements that is certified by the regional or inter-regional accreditation and verification commission (commission régionale ou interrégionale d’agrément et de contrôle), in accordance with the legislative and regulatory provisions in force.
Visitors may be asked to show any objects they are carrying. Bulky objects (such as suitcases, backpacks, shopping bags and other objects mentioned in the Venue's internal regulations) are not allowed in the Venue and may be confiscated or seized, or lead to the person concerned being refused access to the Venue.
Any person that refuses to comply with the security measures and checks set out in this Article shall be refused entry to the Venue.
The badge must be won for the duration of the Top Buyer's presence at the event.
5.2 SPECIFIC ACCESS RESTRICTIONS - PROHIBITED BEHAVIOUR
Any person that arrives at the Venue in a state of inebriation or under the influence of drugs shall be refused entry to the Venue, and shall not be entitled to claim any form of compensation.
All Top Buyers that enter the Venue shall comply with these Regulations, the Venue's internal rules and regulations, as well as with all legislative and regulatory texts relating to security.
Any person that displays violent, racist or insulting behaviour – as well as any person presenting themselves in a state of inebriation or under the influence of drugs – is strictly forbidden from entering the Venue.
Moreover, it is forbidden to:
- endanger the safety of people and property in any way.
- damage, move or use the furniture and facilities in the Venue's different spaces in any way that is not in line with their purpose.
- damage or carry out any action that could potentially damage the furniture, structures, facilities or spaces in the Venue.
- behave in any way that may cause injury or a disturbance to others.
- incite hatred or violence towards any person present on the Venue site in any way whatsoever.
- bring or attempt to bring any insignia, signs or symbols into the Venue that evoke racist and/or xenophobic ideologies.
- introduce or attempt to introduce any object into the Venue that could be used as a weapon or projectile, including any object that is prohibited by the Venue's internal regulations.
Metz Evénements reserves the right to refuse access to the Venue or expel any person who violates these restrictions, or who behaves in any way that may be deemed inappropriate or harmful to the event or its participants. In such cases, the person(s) concerned shall not be entitled to claim any form of compensation.
5.3 HEALTH PASS
Due to the health context linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, Top Buyers are hereby informed that access to the Venue may be subject to the presentation of a valid Health Pass. In this case, all persons who wish to enter the Venue undertake to comply with the applicable regulations and to present their Health Pass, via the TousAntiCovidapplication or in paper format.
Metz Evénements cannot be held responsible in the event a person is refused access to the Venue due to the fact they do not have a Health Pass, or due to a non-compliant Health Pass. In this case, the Top Buyer concerned shall not be entitled to claim any form of compensation from Metz Evénements.
6 - CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT OF THE EVENT
If the Event is postponed, for any reason whatsoever (including by decision of Metz Evénements, in the event of Force Majeure or due to the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic), the badges will remain valid for the new dates of the event.
Should the event be cancelled, for any reason whatsoever (including by decision of Metz Evénements, in the event of Force Majeure or due to the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic), Top Buyers may not claim any compensation from Metz Evénements in relation to this.
7 - RESPONSIBILITY
Metz Evénements cannot be held responsible for the non-performance or poor execution of its obligations in relation to the Regulations, if the reason for that non-performance or poor execution is due to the Top Buyer's actions, the unforeseeable and uncontrollable act of a third party and/or a case of force majeure, as defined in Article 1218 of the French Civil Code and the jurisprudence of the French courts.
Furthermore, Top Buyers are asked to always keep an eye on their personal belongings. Metz Evénements declines all responsibility in the event any personal belongings are damaged or stolen during the event, and advises against bringing valuable items into the Venue. Metz Evénements cannot be held responsible for any acts of vandalism, wilful destruction, violence, or theft committed by a participant during the event; the participant concerned shall bear full responsibility for such wilful acts.
Similarly, Metz Evénements cannot be held responsible for any breakdowns and technical problems concerning hardware, programmes and software or the Internet network, which may cause the Event Website's service to be interrupted or shut down.
8 - CUSTOMER SERVICE
For any further information or questions, Top Buyers may contact the Customer Service of Metz Evénements:
Tel.: +33 (0)3 67 34 05 40 / Email: contact@themix-metz.com / Postal address: 100 Rue aux Arènes, 57000 Metz, France
9 - COMPULSORY ENFORCEMENT
Given the specific nature of the services concerned and the essential expertise required to perform Metz Evénements' obligations, it is hereby specified that the application of the provisions of Articles 1221 and 1222 of the French Civil Code are expressly excluded.
10 - PERSONAL DATA
10.1 DEFINITION
"Data Protection Laws" refers to the current legislation and regulations in force concerning the processing of personal data and, notably, the French Data Protection Act No. 78-17 of 6 January 1978, as amended; and Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016, applicable since 25 May 2018 (hereinafter referred to as the "GDPR").
"Data" refers to any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person; an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person;
10.2. Metz Evénements, acting as a Data Controller within the meaning of the European Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR), will process the Top Buyer's Data for the purposes of:
- A) Managing and monitoring the contractual or pre-contractual relationship (processing of the Top Buyer's registration, management of badges, administration of the event and appointments, registration of the Top Buyer in a directory of participants);
- B) Operating, developing and managing customer/prospect databases (sending newsletters, commercial prospecting, processing requests to exercise rights, managing contact requests);
- C) Improving and personalising the services provided to Customers and Top Buyers (producing statistics, conducting satisfaction surveys, managing newsletter subscriptions);
- D) Transferring personal data to partners as part of a business relationship (transfers);
- E) Ensuring compliance with legal obligations.
The legal basis for the processing of personal Data, whose purpose falls within the above-mentioned categories, is:
- For category A): the performance of the contract or the fulfilment of pre-contractual measures taken at the Top Buyer's request.
- For categories B) and C): the legitimate interest that these categories represent for Metz Evénements.
- For category D): the Top Buyer's consent. This may be withdrawn at any time afterwards.
- For category E): compliance with legal and/or contractual obligations.
The categories of Data processed in this context are identification Data (such as the Data Subject's last name, first name), contact Data (such as the Data Subject's postal address, email address, telephone number), economic and financial Data (such as the Data Subject's employer, position / professional activity).
The recipients of the Data are the relevant departments of Metz Evénements, partners, such as the entities of the GL events Group, the exhibitors at the Event and certain service providers. Some of these recipients may be located outside the European Union. Where necessary, appropriate safeguards have been put in place, in particular through the inclusion of the standard data protection clauses adopted by the European Commission.
Metz Evénements shall store the Data for the time required to perform the operations for which they were collected, in accordance with the aforementioned Regulation 2016/679, and for the time required to fulfil its legal obligations and/or, if Metz Evénements and/or the entities of the GL events Group carry out commercial prospecting, for a maximum period of three years from the last actual contact with the prospect/customer/Top Buyer, unless exceptions are justified by a particular context.
In accordance with the French Data Protection Act No. 78-17 of 6 January 1978, as amended, and the European Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR), Top Buyers may exercise their rights concerning the processing of their Personal Data, and in particular their right to access, rectify and oppose the use of their Data. To exercise this right, Top Buyers should write to Metz Evénements at the following address: 100 Rue aux Arènes, 57000 Metz, France or send an email to: datametz@gl-events.com
10.3. All information concerning Metz Evénements' processing of data in relation to the use of the Event Website is contained in its Privacy Policy, which is available at the following URL address: https://www.themix-metz.com/mention-legales-cgu-politique-de-confidentialite-politique-cookies
11 - IMAGE RIGHTS
By accessing the Venue during the event, Top Buyers accept that their image and/or voice may be recorded and captured on various types of media by Metz Evénements and/or any person authorised by the latter, and that these recordings may be reproduced and represented, in whole or in part and with no limits in terms of quantity, on any internal or institutional communication and/or advertising media concerning Metz Evénements or the GL events Group. The recordings made and selected in this way must be reproduced exclusively within this framework; any other use of these recordings is subject to the Top Buyer's prior express written agreement. This authorisation is provided completely free of charge, and the use of a Top Buyer's image does not entitle him/her to any financial compensation. Top Buyers hereby waive any right to remuneration in this respect and waive any rights concerning the use of their image in relation to any potential communication actions carried out by the partners of Metz Evénements or the GL events Group.
12. APPLICABLE LAW, DISPUTES
These Regulations and the applications for registration on the Top Buyers programme are subject to French law. Any disputes or claims must be brought to the attention of the Metz Evénements Customer Service Department. If no amicable agreement can be reached, the French courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction.