Please beware of scams that target trade shows. An MHI staff member recently received an email from Global Housing Services, Corp. noting that they are currently accepting reservations for the National Congress & Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing to be held on April 29th – May 1st, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV. Another member received a telephone call from this same group claiming that they were calling from Caesars Palace. They were offering a rate of $179 for Caesars Palace and stated that all prices are on a first-come first-serve basis, availability is limited and that they were entitled to receive a 5% discount on their second booking with Global Housing Group.

This company is not authorized to represent MHI, nor do they have access to official contracted hotel room blocks or rates on behalf of MHI. For your own protection, please do not make reservations through any unknown housing or travel company.

Caesars Palace is the contracted hotel for the 2014 National Congress & Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing and the early-bird rate will be $119 per night (plus tax). You will be notified directly by MHI when Caesars Palace is accepting reservations for the Congress & Expo in our contracted room block. In addition, we will provide a link on our Web site, www.congressandexpo.com for contacting the hotel directly to make your reservations. We will also be providing you with a toll free hotel phone number.

Also, over the past couple of years Congress & Expo exhibitors have been receiving information from Construct Data Publishers for a listing in a “FAIRGuide.” Please DO NOT respond to their mailing. Visit www.manufacturedhousing.org/webdocs/FAIRGuide.pdf for a sample. This company is NOT affiliated with MHI or the Congress & Expo and has been targeting exhibitors of many trade shows implying they are affiliated with the show along with a misleading offer of a free listing in their directory. At the bottom of the form, the language constitutes an irrevocable advertising order of $1717 per year that automatically renews each year unless cancellation is made by registered mail at least three months prior to the next expiration.

If you are a victim of this scam, we would advise you to issue an attorney’s letter to the company clearly stating that due to the company’s improper and misleading tactics, you were fooled into thinking you were simply approving text for a free exhibitor listing and that there are no circumstances whatsoever in which you would ever consider making payment and finally, that the letter represents the sole response FAIRGuide can expect to receive.

MHI is in no way associated with the FAIRGuide and did not give your information to them. An exhibitor’s information (exhibitor name, contact person and type of business) is posted on the Congress & Expo Web site to promote the company to attendees and to help them plan their time in the Exhibit Hall.

MHI’s communications to you will always have MHI’s logo, the Congress & Expo theme as on the Congress & Expo Web site or come from an MHI email address. Please be sure you look over anything that you receive regarding the Congress & Expo very carefully to ensure it is legitimate and from MHI.

If you are contacted by a company that is not our official housing provider, or if you are ever unsure whether or not a company is legitimate, please e-mail Cheryl Berard at cheryl@mfghome.org or (703) 558-0668.