EXHIBITOR GUIDE
RULES
AD FORM
APPLICATION
EXHIBITOR RULES
Rules and Regulations
In order to conform to MassHOPE and the Sturbridge Host Hotel policies, exhibitors are expected to understand and comply with the following:
1. It is understood that the “Application to Exhibit” is only an application to exhibit. Completing and submitting the form with a check does not ensure that the potential exhibitor will be asked to exhibit at the convention. All vendors who sell materials they feel may be of value to Christian home educators are welcome to apply. Exhibitors who are approved will have their checks cashed and will be notified by e-mail no later than March 2, 2026. Companies which apply late or after all space is filled may be placed on a waiting list. MassHOPE’s policy is to accept or deny exhibitors without comment.
2. MassHOPE does not require that exhibitors and/or advertisers subscribe to our Statement of Faith (below), but it does require that exhibitors and/or advertisers do not promote any materials which would be in conflict with the Statement of Faith or might be offensive to Christian home educators. Such materials might include stories or artwork containing witches, ghosts, dragons, or other occult material; science material based on evolution; New Age or overtly humanistic material; homeopathy; “Values Clarification” curriculum; “multi-cultural” curriculum (the idea of valuing all lifestyles and religions as equal to the biblical view); fantasy role-playing games or curriculum; or any material that portrays the Bible as merely mythological, or Christianity as untrue or as one among many equal religions; materials related to gender beyond male or female. MassHOPE reserves the right, at the convention, to exclude specific items or entire displays which, in MassHOPE’s opinion, would be inappropriate for display. Vendors who refuse to remove items deemed inappropriate by MassHOPE will be asked to leave without refund. Participation at the convention implies an understanding of, and agreement to, these conditions and releases MassHOPE from any financial or other liability related to such exclusion.
3. There is to be NO used curriculum of any kind available for purchase.
4. No vendor may sell any type of food or beverage product
5. By signing the Application to Exhibit form you are agreeing that you will set up on Thursday, April 23, and stay set up until the close of the convention at 5 PM, Saturday, April 25. Your booth MUST be manned during ALL hours the exhibit hall is open. Failure to do one or more of these may jeopardize your chances of being invited back in subsequent years, and/or may result in a fine.
6. If you are sending a representative in your place, it is your responsibility to make sure that he understands these rules and signs the application. Applications will not be processed without signatures.
7. All materials or displays must stay within the confines of a pre-measured booth space (8’x10’ or 8’x8’). Exhibitors MUST sit or stand within the booth space, and not in the aisle. You WILL be asked to move, and MUST comply; this is a safety issue.
8. Exhibitors are not allowed to share booth space with another company or organization, or display materials from another company or organization (not normally in their product lines) without PRIOR approval of MassHOPE.
9. The exhibit hall is provided for attendees so that they can see and purchase curriculum and home school related merchandise. Multi-level marketers may be invited to exhibit if their sole purpose is to sell products. Multi-level marketers are not allowed to recruit in any way. No signs, signup sheets, business cards, or notices of any sort of advertising business opportunities, home parties, etc. will be allowed. A vendor may give attendees a brochure, catalog, or business card with his name and address only if asked for such information. An attendee may contact an exhibitor outside of the exhibit hall. Multi-level marketers who disregard this rule may be asked to leave the convention without refund.
10. Exhibitors are responsible for collection and payment of sales tax. A list of exhibitors will be given to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue before the date of the convention.
11. If you agree to hold material for an attendee at your booth (after it has been paid for), you do so at your own risk.
12. Dress code: Business casual. Any tattoos should be covered when in the exhibit booth.
13. Cancellations after March 27, 2026 will not be refunded.
Advertising and Booth Content Guidelines: MassHOPE is a Christian organization. As such, all advertising and exhibitors must be pre-approved by our convention committee. MassHOPE reserves the right to accept or reject exhibitor applications and/or advertisements without comment.
All materials and products must be generally acceptable to Christian homeschooling parents. Although we do not require our exhibitors and/or advertisers to agree with our Statement of Faith , we request that our exhibitors not display materials and products that would conflict with it. Examples of inappropriate material include, but are not limited to, those promoting evolution, secular humanism, witchcraft, and the occult.
MassHOPE does not allow exhibitors or advertising that promote public or private school programs that accept government funding or vouchers of any kind.
The MassHOPE convention committee will determine the acceptability of materials. Speakers and exhibitors must agree to remove any materials deemed inappropriate by this committee.
Exhibitor Booth Guidelines: MassHOPE reserves the right to refuse any exhibitor for any reason. All decisions made by the convention committee are final. New exhibitor applicants must include a detailed description of the products or services with their application forms. Failure to provide the description may result in a delay in the processing of the application.
Duplication of companies will not be allowed in the exhibit hall. For example, only one distributor from the same company such as Usborne Books or Discovery Toys will be permitted. Individual book or product duplications are permitted (e.g., two exhibitors carrying the same titles). The MassHOPE convention committee will make the decision as to what could constitute an unacceptable duplication.
Exhibitors may not share booth space, electric, or internet with any other company or organization; nor are they allowed to display materials for another company or organization without written consent of the Exhibit Hall Coordinator.
MassHOPE does not allow raffles at the convention. Door prize drawings are permitted.
Exhibitors with music or audio/visual sound must maintain a volume level so as to not be a disturbance to neighboring exhibitors.
Exhibitors are permitted to bring their own tables or display racks as long as they will fit inside the confines of their booth space(s). No exhibit should extend beyond the designated booth area.
Rules of Engagement
Speakers / exhibitors will not criticize other speakers / exhibitors, the convention, the facility where the convention is held, the MassHOPE convention committee, or MassHOPE to other speakers / exhibitors and/or convention attendees.
Concerns or critiques are to be made to the MassHOPE convention committee directly.
The MassHOPE convention committee reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or exhibitor. All decisions are final and without comment.
MassHOPE and the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center assume no responsibility for speaker / exhibitor inventory, materials, or equipment on the site of the MassHOPE convention.
Speakers / exhibitors agree to hold MassHOPE and the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center harmless from any and all liabilities from any cause, and agree that MassHOPE and/or the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, or injury that may occur to the exhibitor, their employees, or property from any cause whatsoever, prior, during, or subsequent to the dates of the convention
The speaker / exhibitor, upon signing the Exhibitor Application, expressly releases MassHOPE and the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center from and agrees to indemnify the same against any and all claims for such loss, damage, or injury.
Timeline for Quick Reference
January 15, 2026 – Last day for early bird registration fee (Standard and Short Notice registration dates/fees are available after January 15, 2026.)
March 7, 2026 – Deadline for advertising payments and ad submissions for convention program
April 23, 2026 – Setup: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
April 24, 2026 – Shopping hours: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
April 25, 2026 – Shopping hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with takedown immediately following.
MASSHOPE STATEMENT OF FAITH
We Believe:
The Bible to be the inspired Word of God, the supreme and final authority for all faith and life.
That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and His imminent bodily return in power and glory.
That man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ alone, not trusting in any personal works whatsoever, can be saved.
That salvation is the free gift of God brought to the sinner by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose substitutionary death on the cross paid the penalty for man’s sin.
That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict mankind, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.
That the God of the Bible established marriage as the exclusive lifetime covenant of union between one man and one woman. It is His unique gift that echoes the union of Christ and His church, and is the ideal environment that He has ordained for procreation and for the raising of children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord to the glory of God. In the spiritual unity of believers through our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that individual doctrinal differences which may exist, outside the aforementioned, should not hinder the unity of Christian home educators.
