Report a Concern
Saw something at a sanctioned show that doesn't meet our standards? Spotted our seal somewhere it shouldn't be? Tell us. Reports from attendees, vendors, venues, sponsors, and organizers all help keep the seal meaningful.
In an emergency, call 911 or find venue security now. This form is not monitored in real time.
What you can report
- Seal misuse or false claims. A show using our seal, or saying it's sanctioned, when it isn't. You can check any show on our verify page.
- Safety problems. Blocked exits, overcrowding, no visible security plan, or other safety risks at a sanctioned show.
- An organizer breaking its own published policies. For example, refunds that weren't paid, or advertising that didn't match the show (wrong dates, missing guests, a different venue).
- Counterfeit-goods rules not enforced. The organizer didn't act on fake, altered, or resealed product after it was raised with them.
- Harassment or staff conduct. Harassment by anyone at the show, or rude, threatening, or unfair treatment by the organizer or show staff.
- Insurance or permit concerns. A reason to think a sanctioned show isn't properly insured or permitted.
What we can't handle here
- Disputes over a specific card's price, grade, or authenticity between a buyer and a seller. The seal doesn't guarantee any card, grade, vendor, or sale, so we can't settle these. Start with the vendor and the show's own dispute contact. For graded cards, the grading company may be able to help.
- Crimes in progress or emergencies. Call 911 or alert venue security right away.
- Shows we haven't sanctioned. We only review shows in our program. The one exception: if a show falsely claims to be sanctioned or uses our seal, please report it.
What happens after you report
- We confirm we got it. You'll hear back within 2 business days, if you gave us a way to reach you.
- We review it. A person reads every report and looks at the evidence. We may reach out to you for more detail, if you said that's OK.
- The organizer gets notice and a chance to respond. If the report involves a sanctioned show, we tell the organizer in writing what the concern is and give them time to answer. That's part of our fair process for everyone.
- We decide. Many reports are resolved with a quick fix. If needed, we use the steps in our enforcement ladder: Warning, Probation, Suspension, or Revocation. Organizers can appeal formal steps to an independent panel.
- We close the report. We aim to complete most reviews within 15 business days. More complex cases can take longer.
About what we share: To be fair to everyone and to protect privacy, we may not be able to share every detail of what we found or decided. If a show's public status changes, you'll see it on its verify page.
About your identity: You can report anonymously. If you give us your name, let us know whether we may share it with the organizer. We'll respect your choice wherever we can, though keeping it private may limit what we can look into. The more detail you give us, the better.
The report form
Prefer email? Write to us at info@tradeshowassociation.com. In an emergency, call 911.
Trade Show Association is a private, independent organization, not a government agency. The seal does not guarantee any card, grade, vendor, or transaction.