CompuSystems, a registration and lead-retrieval provider for a number of the largest U.S. trade show organizers, is back online after taking its systems offline in response to a network disruption, impacting major trade shows like SEMA, AAPEX, and PRI. These show organizers alerted their exhibitors and attendees about the outage via their websites. 

CompuSystems acknowledged the disruption on its website: “We have identified a network disruption that is affecting some of our systems.”  

We reached out to CompuSystems with several questions about when the disruption started, what shows are impacted and when the issue might be resolved, and a CompuSystems spokesperson told us the following: 

“CompuSystems recently discovered a cybersecurity incident that affected a limited number of our systems. Upon discovery, we enacted our response protocols, proactively took the relevant systems offline to safeguard our data and our clients’ data, working with third-party cybersecurity experts, [and] launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Law enforcement has also been notified. 

“We are working around the clock to restore our operations as safely and efficiently as possible. Though our investigation is active and ongoing, we are confident the incident has been contained and remediated. We continue to closely monitor our systems for any unusual activity. 

“We take this event and the security of the information in our care very seriously. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers, staff and partners during this time.” 

Organizers alert customers 

PRI, scheduled for Dec. 12-14 in Indianapolis, acknowledged the CompuSystems issue on its website: “PRI Show management is aware of a CompuSystems issue preventing PRI Show registration. PRI is working with the vendor to resolve the situation as soon as possible. Badge mailing deadlines will not be affected by this outage.” 

"We appreciate your patience as we resolve this matter and will provide updates as they become available," said PRI Show management. 

SEMA pushed back a price increase for its trade show, scheduled for Nov. 5-8 in Las Vegas.  “SEMA is working with the vendor to resolve the situation as soon as possible and will extend the price deadline to accommodate those who did not register before the previously announced badge price increase deadline. The domestic badge mailing process will not be affected by this outage,” according to an alert on the SEMA website. 

AAPEX extended the registration deadline for its annual trade show scheduled for Nov. 5-7 at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. “The price deadline will be extended to accommodate those who have yet to register prior to the price increase,” according to a post on the AAPEX website.

Registration set to open Friday for CHEST 

Another CompuSystems client, the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) is getting ready to host its Annual Meeting from Oct. 6 to 9 in Boston. In 2023, the association’s annual meeting was in Hawaiʻi and drew nearly 6,000 medical professionals, making it the second-highest attendance for an in-person CHEST Annual Meeting, according to CHEST’s annual report.  

There is no mention of the service disruption on the association’s website or social channels, but advance registration is already closed for the event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Onsite registration is scheduled to open at 12 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 4, at three locations—the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and two satellite venues, including the Omni Boston Hotel Seaport and The Westin Boston Seaport District. 

We reached out to CHEST for a comment, and they told us: “We are aware of the situation and are making sure the outage does not impact the quality of the meeting or the experience of attendees.” 

Big picture 

“[This incident] highlights the potential exposure to data security issues within our industry,” said one registration provider. “Many registration providers are small business owners, not major Fortune 500 companies with extensive security on the backend.” 

CompuSystems works with a number of trade show organizers, including Informa, INFOCOMM, NBAA, Cosmoprof, the American Library Association and the American Urological Association—to name a few listed on the CompuSystems website. 

Update: Systems restored as of Friday, October 4 

On Friday, Oct.4, CompuSystems notified us that operations and services are fully restored and accessible. CompuSystems shared this statement: 

“CompuSystems recently discovered a cybersecurity incident that affected a limited number of our systems.   

Upon discovery, we enacted our response protocols, proactively took the relevant systems offline to safeguard our data and our clients’ data and, working with third-party cybersecurity experts, launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Law enforcement has also been notified. 

Our network operations have been restored, and our services are fully functional and accessible. Though our investigation is active and ongoing, we are confident the incident has been contained and remediated. We continue to closely monitor our systems for any unusual activity. 

We take this event and the security of the information in our care very seriously. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers, staff and partners during this time.”