ETV employees would not be prohibited from accepting passes to the National Association of Broadcasters trade show since the passes allow attendance at the entire show with the employees receiving no specific advantage than any other attendee. The Personnel Director for ETV advises that the National Association of Broadcasters sponsors a trade show every year in which manufacturers of broadcast equipment exhibit their products. Certain employees of ETV receive free passes to these exhibits from several companies from which the agency purchases equipment. There are no restrictions on the passes.
Employees using the passes are free to look at all exhibits.
She questions whether the employees may accept these free passes without violating the Ethics Reform Act. This opinion does not supersede any other statutory or regulatory restrictions or procedures which may apply to this situation. From the facts as submitted, the passes are given to employees because of their positions with the agency. The vendors are exhibiting equipment which is subject to purchase by the agency. While the passes are being given to the agency for use by certain employees, it does not appear that the receipt is intended to influence any specific action by the employees.