Trade Show Exhibit Display Booths

Can I be sued by a supplier ?

My company signed up for a trade show booth and in the contract stated that we had to pay a cancellation fee if we canceled. We did cancel, but with enough notice that the trade show was able to fill our booth space. Can we be sued if we refuse to pay the cancellation fee? I know that we signed the contract stating we would pay the fee, but the trade show operator suffered no economic loss. What is the law regarding this? Thanks

Public Comments

1. You signed a contract. Signatures are on it and you agreed. You have to pay.
2. Sorry, but if your contract said you would have to pay a cancellation fee, you'll have to pay a cancellation fee. That's what the contract was there for: To put into black & white any questions you might have about your responsibilities.
3. ordinarily, a suit for breach of contract is limited to damages. However, the law allows people to agree to damages. They are sometimes known as liquidated damages -- an agreement concerning the consequences for a potential breach. If they actual costs of recruiting another company was greater than the cancellation fee, you still only have to pay the fee. If the actual cost was less, you still pay the fee. No law prohibits you from agreeing to a contract in which you substitute fees or liquidated damages for actual damages.