WHEREAS, the 2026 CANIS (Canine Advocacy Networking Innovation Science) Conference is being hosted by CANIS CON (“HOST”), a Kentucky Corporation, from October 7 – 10, 2026 at the Renaissance Hotel Schaumburg Convention Center, Schaumburg, IL (“EVENT”).
WHEREAS, {typeA} (“SPONSOR”) wishes to sponsor and/or have a trade show booth in the exhibit hall at the EVENT
This Sponsorship and SPONSOR Agreement (“AGREEMENT”) is by and between SPONSOR and HOST and is effective on the date that SPONSOR executes this Agreement. SPONSOR and HOST are collectively referred to hereinafter as the “Parties.”
SPONSOR agrees to the following terms, conditions, rules and regulations in connection with its application for sponsorship privileges and rental of exhibition space at the 2026 CANIS Conference to be held October 7-10, 2026 at the Schaumburg, IL Convention Center.
1. EVENT Philosophy: At CANIS, we are committed to promoting humane, evidence-based practices in animal training and behavior. As such, sponsors and SPONSORs may not promote, sell, or distribute tools or methods designed to cause fear, pain, or discomfort in training or behavior change strategies—including but not limited to shock collars, prong collars, choke chains, or aversive leash corrections. This policy reflects our dedication to animal welfare, education, and ethical collaboration.
a. HOST reserves the right to decline rental of exhibit hall booths and/or sponsorship by individuals and/or companies whose philosophies and practices are not in alignment with those of HOST, as stated above.
b. SPONSOR agrees not to give away, sell, or promote products and/or services that do not adhere to the above stated philosophy including the sale of, use of, or promotion of services that encourage the use of choke chains, prong collars, or electronic training collars (static or citronella).
c. HOST reserves the right to alter or remove exhibits or any part thereof, including printed material, products and signs that violate this condition at any time during the EVENT.
d. Termination of participation without refund for violation of ethical standards outlined in the ‘Event Philosophy’ section at HOST’S sole discretion.
2. Conference Management: HOST will provide all meeting management functions and will establish all meeting policies related to the EVENT.
a. Assignment of Space: Exhibit Hall booths will be assigned prior to the start of the EVENT. HOST reserves the right to relocate SPONSOR to a different space in the exhibit hall as necessary.
b. SPONSOR agrees to abide by any rules and regulations of the Renaissance Hotel Convention Center, its management, and subcontracted service providers (e.g., AV and furnishing rental companies, security).
3. Compliance with Local Laws: SPONSOR shall comply with all Illinois state laws and local ordinances applicable to transient vendors or merchants.
a. SPONSOR is responsible for having permits, as required, to make sales in the state of Illinois and for collecting and paying the required state sales taxes, if applicable.
b. SPONSOR is responsible for knowledge of, and compliance with, all fire and safety codes. In the exhibit space, decorations must be flame- retardant, and electrical wiring must conform to all federal, state and municipal government requirements, and is subject to inspection.
4. Restrictions:
a. SPONSOR displays must not exceed the space reserved and may not be split, shared, resold or sublet.
b. The use of generators is not permitted.
c. Knives, guns, explosives, tazers, and fireworks are not permitted at the EVENT.
5. Cancellation and Refund Policy:
a. Cancellation by HOST: If The 2026 CANIS Conference is cancelled in its entirety by HOST for any reason, all exhibition space payments made by SPONSOR to HOST hereunder will be refunded. HOST will not be responsible for airfare, travel, shipping, penalties, or other costs that may be incurred by SPONSOR due to event cancellation, regardless of the reason for cancellation.
b. No refunds will be issued for Titanium, Platinum, or Gold or for “Add-on” sponsorships once payment is received except in the case of HOST cancellation of the EVENT.
c. Exhibit Hall Booth cancellations received by HOST on or before April 1, 2026 will result in a 50% refund of SPONSOR fee. SPONSORS submitting cancellations received by the HOST after April 1, 2026, will not receive any refund.
d. If SPONSOR wishes to cancel its exhibit hall booth reservation, SPONSOR may do so by sending a written notice of cancellation to HOST at exhibits@canisconference.com.
6. SPONSOR Representatives: Exhibit hall booths must be staffed by qualified representatives of SPONSOR.
a. All SPONSOR representatives must be registered as an EVENT attendee or for an SPONSOR staff badge.
b. All SPONSOR representatives agree to wear appropriate attire and shall also review all rules and regulations in this AGREEMENT and agree to abide by all terms.
7. Photography Waiver: By registering as an SPONSOR for the EVENT, SPONSOR authorizes HOST to photograph, film, livestream, and/or videotape all SPONSOR display materials and SPONSOR representatives.
a. HOST may use any resulting photographs and video in all formats and media for any purpose, including for education, marketing, product, and trade purposes.
b. SPONSOR, individually and on behalf of all SPONSOR Representatives, hereby releases HOST from all claims arising out of the use of such photographs and images, including without limitation all claims for compensation, libel, invasion of privacy or copyright.
c. Nothing in this clause shall be interpreted to transfer ownership of SPONSOR intellectual property or trademarks to HOST.
8. Security and Liability:
a. SPONSOR must make provisions for the safeguarding of all belongings, goods, materials, equipment and display at all times. While general overall security will be provided during the EVENT dates, SPONSOR assumes the entire responsibility and liability for losses, damages and claims arising out of injury or damage to SPONSOR’s displays, equipment and other property.
b. SPONSOR is responsible for the placement and cost of insurance relating to its participation in the EVENT. SPONSOR hereby confirms that it holds adequate and current liability insurance.
c. HOST, (its partners, representatives, employees, volunteers, official sponsors, and official contractors) nor the facilities it leases (their representatives and employees) will be liable for the safety of a SPONSOR’s property, the SPONSOR’s agents or employees from theft, damage by fire or any other cause.
d. In no event shall HOST’s liability exceed the amount paid by SPONSOR under this AGREEMENT.
9. Enforcement of Rules: HOST and its authorized representative agents and/or employees have full power of interpretation and enforcement of these regulations and other points not covered herein. Violation of any of these regulations on the part of SPONSOR, its employees or agents, shall, at the option of HOST, forfeit the right to occupy its conference space, and such SPONSOR will forfeit to HOST all monies paid.
10. Indemnification: SPONSOR hereby assumes full responsibility and agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless HOST from and against any loss, liability, damage, or cost that may occur from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of actions, penalties, judgments, and liabilities of every kind and description (including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) for injury to or any death of persons, and damage to and loss of property which are caused by, arise from or grow out of the acts or omissions of SPONSOR incident to HOST or from any breach by SPONSOR of any term or condition of this Sponsorship and SPONSOR Agreement.
11 Legal:
a. SPONSOR agrees to pay all rental fees and abide by all rules and regulations contained herein. The SPONSOR rules and regulations set forth in this AGREEMENT may be amended at any time by HOST as reasonable and necessary to comply with venue regulations and applicable law, and all amendments shall be equally binding on all parties affected by them, as are the original regulations.
b. HOST does not act as the agents of any SPONSOR, venue, A/V provider or any other party. Claims against any party other than The HOST are to be submitted directly to the party involved.
c. SPONSOR, for itself, its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, servants, licensees, invitees, patrons, guests, or contractors and their personal representatives, assigns, heirs and next of kin, hereby releases, waives, discharges and covenants not to sue HOST, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, representatives, servants, licensees, invitees, patrons, guests or contractors and releases each of them, from all liability to SPONSOR for any and all loss or damage, and any claim or demands therefore on account of injury to the person or property or resulting death of SPONSOR representative(s) arising out of or relating to the EVENT whether caused by negligence or otherwise.
12. Arbitration Clause. Any dispute over the sponsorship or the terms of this AGREEMENT shall be resolved through arbitration at the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) pursuant to its commercial dispute rules. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Kentucky, and jurisdiction for any dispute is Fayette County, Kentucky.
13. Confidentiality Policy. The terms and conditions of this AGREEMENT are confidential. Any violation of that confidentiality voids this agreement and forfeits your payments hereunder.
14. Payment Schedule: SPONSOR shall pay a fee to HOST in the total amount corresponding to sponsorship level and/or exhibit hall booth size selected by the SPONSOR. No SPONSOR or other benefits will be provided until full payment is received.