The 2013 TSRI Vendor Show

Vendor Information Page

Last page update: Jan 2013

Attention Vendors

Get direct access to over 2500+ TSRI faculty, staff scientists, postdocs, grad students, and technical research staff to show/sell your products. This is one of the largest scientific vendor shows in the San Diego area, and often attracts researchers from neighboring institutions, including Salk, Burnham, UCSD, LIAI, as well as multiple biotech/pharma companies in the Torrey Pines region. And instead of going to each individual lab, your customers can come to you!
This year's Vendor Show will be on Tuesday May 14, 2013, and is being organised by Devin Sok, Sheena Saayman and Joey Garcia.

Registration is now open!

Registration is now open. Please note: sales are nonrefundable, unless a replacement vendor can be found. Please email Devin for more information, or contact him at:

    Devin Sok
    The Scripps Research Institute
10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd, IMM-2/Rm 308.
    La Jolla, CA 92037-1000
Phone: 858-784-7085

Registration will close on Friday May 3.

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has implemented a policy requiring every vendor attending the Society of Fellows (SOF) Vendor Show to sign a Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (MNDA) and comply with the minimum insurance requirements set forth by TSRI for SOF show presenters. This agreement will provide protection for the Intellectual Property Rights of both parties during and following the 2011 SOF Vendor Show and is of use in relationship to the 2011 SOF Vendor Show. A fully executed countersigned copy will be provided upon request.

Alternatively, please complete the online registration form. You will still need to mail a signed copy of the MNDA and your insurance details.

We can also accept payments through PayPal. Please use the form below. Note that Paypay charges a 3% transaction fee, and this increased cost is included in the price. (There is no extra fee for paying by mailed check.)

Please contact Devin to purchase multiple tables by credit card.

The following tables have already been booked:

Arrival & Parking

Please look at the PDF map of The Scripps Research Institute campus. We have arranged for a large white canopy tent near the Immunology Building to serve as the staging area. The SOF will have members at the tent to help with unloading from 7:00 - 9:00 am. Please drop off equipment and displays at the tent first. Since there is no vendor parking available on the main campus, we have arranged free parking at the N. Torrey Pines Court parking lot and overflow parking at the MEM Building (see TSRI map.). After dropping off your equipment, please follow the posted signs and our map to the designated parking areas, obtain a complimentary parking permit (only for N. Torrey Pines Ct. parking lot), and park your vehicle. If you do not need to drop off materials, please proceed directly to the parking areas. From North Torrey Pines Court parking lot, follow the foot pathway across to the Immunology Building and the rest of the TSRI campus. A free shuttle service will be available from MEM to TSRI main campus.

Ask us for help

Each building/area will have a designated SoF member assigned as a building host that can be identified by a white or black shirt with the SoF logo (see above). If you need help locating something, need directions to the restrooms, would like a bottle of water, or have any other question, please feel free to ask one of us.

Advanced Shipping

If you need to pre-ship items to TSRI, please send them directly to Devin Sok at the address above. Also, please send an email to Devin describing the number of boxes sent and expected delivery date. Make sure that all packages arrive on the Scripps Campus before noon on Tuesday, April 30 to allow the TSRI shipping and receiving department time to deliver the packages to Devin. You can pick up your pre-shipped items at the white canopy tent by Immunology (see map) on the day of the show.

Table Setup

Please notify Devin if you will require electricity by Tuesday, May 3 so he can make sure we have enough extension cords available.

Each table is 4ft. x 8ft. in size, will be posted with a table number and company name, and will have two chairs provided per table. Each main area will have at least one SOF member serving as a host. They will be wearing shirts with the SOF logo (above) and can answer any questions or concerns that arise on the day of the show. All outdoor tables will be provided with a canopy tent, roof, or large umbrella for weather protection.

To view all table numbers and locations, please see the following PDF maps and photos:

Beckman Center Buildings (#1-24) Photo

Immunology (#25-49) Photo

Immunology Plaza (#50-106) // New tables available in IMM Plaza Photo

Note: The Immunology building houses cell biology and molecular biology researchers. Beckman houses mainly chemistry labs. But of course there is overlap in research areas in each building.

Check the campus map to see the locations of the buildings.

iPod Shuffle and Gift Card Drawing Entry for Attendees

As incentive to have TSRI personnel visit your tables, the SoF is providing a number prizes including $100 gift cards, iPod shuffles, and Kindle Touches. For a chance to win a raffle prize, TSRI personnel must complete a Raffle Entry form. The forms will be distributed throughout the tables, and each vendor will receive stickers appropriate for the building location of their table(s). Show attendees should obtain a sticker after speaking with the vendor. There is a maximum of only 3 stickers from each of the 3 locations per form. Please encourage the show attendee to visit one of the other two locations if the maximum has been reached.

Tips for Attracting Customers

Make it clear what you sell. Seems obvious, doesn't it? But you'd be surprised by how many tables we've seen where we have no clue as to what their products are, and what they can be used for. A simple sign with bullet points may be all it takes.
Say hello and engage your potential customers by asking a question. The ones who just sit behind their table, stoic and unapproachable are usually left unapproached.
Let's face it, grad students and postdocs aren't the best-compensated people in the world - most people are shocked to find out how low academic salaries actually are, particularly for scientists "in training". So we love free stuff! Small "tester-sized" samples of your products are always great. Logo-based pens, clips, hats, T-shirts, etc., are good ways to attract people. If your budget doesn't allow for these items, buy a bag of candy or some cookies at the supermarket. If you do have a bigger budget, have a raffle - iPods, even the small ones, are VERY popular prizes! Most people will feel obliged to at least pick up your literature in exchange for something "free".
Green is in! There is a growing interest in ecologically friendly products and practices. Promote and showcase your green-ness!

Food/Beverages

Breakfast
The SOF will provide complimentary coffee, doughnuts, and pastries throughout the morning for all vendors. A table will be located at the Flame of Knowledge next to the Immunology building. There are also coffee vendors on the Immunology Patio and in the Beckman Building where espresso, cappuccino, lattes, and other drinks and snack foods can be purchased. Vending machines are also available in each building.

Lunch
The SOF will also provide a complimentary boxed lunch. There will be a choice of sandwiches that usually comes with chips, a whole fruit and a cookie. We will also be going around to the tables with a selection of soft drinks and bottled water. Please let Devin know by Tuesday, May 3rd if you have any special dietary needs. Beverages will also be circulated throughout the buildings during the day.

Table Take-Down

This year the vendor show will end at 2:30 pm. The canopy tent staging area will once again be available for storing equipment until you pick up your car.

Vendor Appreciation Post-Show Happy Hour

After you've packed your materials and retrieved your car, please join us for our vendor post-show happy hour to celebrate another successful TSRI event. During the show, each vendor will receive directions and a map to the venue for complementary beer, wine, or sodas - ask one of us if you don't get them. Hors d'oeuvres will also be served. Network with colleagues or just relax and unwind after a full day of work. The happy hour will take place from 3-5pm at The Scripps Research Institute Faculty Club, just north, up the street from TSRI. Please indicate on the registration form if you intend to attend the Happy Hour to ensure enough food for all participants.

Overnight Accommodations

The closest hotel is the neighboring Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. It's about a 10 minute walk, 1/2 mile north, up North Torrey Pines Rd. from the TSRI campus. Other hotels within a 5-15 minute drive from TSRI in the La Jolla and University Towne Center areas can be found at the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau website.
The Grande Colonial offers preferred rates for all BIOCOM members starting at $179.00 and complimentary London Taxi Cab. Since The Scripps Research Institute is a member of BIOCOM, all attendees can take advantage of this preferred rate. Guests simply need to ask for the BIOCOM rate and mention they are attending the 2011 Scripps SoF Vendor Show to take advantage.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact Devin Sok by e-mail.