Show Technology Productions......Mark Mantini....Pamela Rogers Unlawful dismissal & Failure to pay commissions owing San Antonio Texas

I responded to an ad on Craigs List on or about September 20, 2012.

The ad content was very similar to the following:

“We are currently looking for motivated, enthusiastic team players with a desire to earn $35k – $75k annually working with Home, Garden and Interior Design businesses to be exhibitors at our Third Annual Greater Niagara Region Home & Garden Show, 2013, taking place in the Scotia Bank Convention Centre, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, April 5 – 7, 2013. Training and materials are provided. 

I was contacted by Mrs. Pamela Rogers, Director of Sales & Marketing, who explained that as an independent contractor, accounts (leads provided to me) and / or accounts solicited by me, would be my accounts. I would by paid a 15% commission for the accounts I booked for the 2013 Show and I would receive residual commission at the same 15% rate when these accounts were re-booked for following Shows.

My duties:

Selling booth space at designated Shows

Servicing referral clients and soliciting new clients

Writing client contracts, securing deposits, collecting balances and creating a client/prospect data base.

Attending the Show in my territory (Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada)

I signed 66 of 132 exhibitors for the 2013 Niagara Home & Garden Show. Some were leads turned over to me and most were clients that I solicited.

I attended the Show every day, including days prior when exhibitors were setting up. I was there, the day after the Show, to ensure that all exhibitors were packed up and gone. NO remuneration was paid for this time spent.

During the Show, I visited all of my client’s booths to be sure things were going smoothly and that they had complied with the Company requirements regarding their exhibit. I established an excellent rapport with all of my clients.

On the second day of the Show a few of my clients approached me, disturbed that a few Exhibitors were given larger booth space than they had booked and paid for. This information was being broadcasted by an exhibitor (Not one of my clients) who was annoyed the over the fact that he was not given additional space. Later I was approached by the individual Bad Mouthing Show Technology Productions. I tried to explain that it was standard practice to fill vacant space with present exhibitors as empty spaces do not make an attractive Show for us or him. He became belligerent, we had heated words and he walked away to engage Mrs. Rogers in conversation. I was defending the Company as he was referring that Show Technology Productions as being unethical and crooked.

During and after the Show, I contacted my clients in an attempt to pre-book them for the 2014 Show. 18 clients took advantage of the pre-book offer and the balance decided to wait until a later date to make a commitment.

I continued to continue keep in touch with my accounts, contacting them by telephone, e-mail and visiting every possible trade show where they may have been exhibiting, reminding them that when they were prepared to commit to participation in the 2014 Show, I would be there to help in any way possible and to execute their contracts (Previously emailed to them).

Sometime in July, 2013, I was advised by Mrs. Rogers that a new contact management program would be introduced and it would be mandatory for all Sales people to use. Training for the program was to be provided. Introduction continued to be delayed for many weeks and when it did arrive there was NO training. A difficult program to use.

In August, 2013, I noticed that one of my larger volume accounts showed up on Company report as having signed up for the 2014 Show. This contract had not shown on my commission report. When checked on the status of the account, I was advised by a lady in the San Antonio office that the account was shown as belonging to another contractor (Megan). I spoke with my client, he was confused, thinking the contract request was sent to him by Head Office on my behalf. He contacted Mrs. Rogers by email stating that he wished to maintain me as his Rep. Apparently she did not reply to his request. Shortly after she verbally reprimanded me for having contacted my Client and claimed that I had not been actively working my data-base. Also that she had turned over my client file to Megan (a person she had referred to as her “Best Girlfriend”) and appointed her as Manager of the Niagara Falls Home & Garden Show.

During several telephone conversations she repeatedly asked me if I wished to terminate my contract. I told her NO! It seemed that she was attempting to Bully me into quitting.

I continued to contact accounts, new and former and signed a few new accounts. During this time several of my clients informed me that they had been contacted by the office regarding rebooking. Again many were under the impression that this was done on my behalf.

On August 28,  I received an email from Mrs. Rogers stating that she was terminating our independent contractor agreement effective today August 28, 2013 and she would not accept any additional contracts from me. I was informed that I had not complied with Company Policy to use the new contact management program. This was a difficult situation as I had NOT received instruction on how to use it. She also fabricated an account complaint (Refusing to Identify or give details).

According to Mrs. Rogers it is the policy of the Company, Show Technology Productions that any commissions payable on monies received after termination become “House Commissions”.

I do not agree with this. I worked very hard to sell these accounts and I should be compensated.

I submitted a PayPal Invoice via e-mail to Show Technology Productions Attention: Mark Mantini (VP) for $1,960.13, Commissions Owing for 2014 Show booking. I received an email from Mrs. Rogers……..OUTCOME – REFUSAL TO PAY.

This appears to be a common practice with Show Technology Productions, as I was given accounts to service booked by others who either terminated their contract or were terminated with commissions owing. As per Mrs. Rogers, I was expected to service these accounts without remuneration.

Anyone considering working for this Company (Show Technology Productions) should be aware that this type of activity and practice in not uncommon and the prospect of earning the figures shown in their Website and employment ads are dismal.