NASHVILLE COMICON EXHIBITOR DETAILS

LOCATION:

FAIRGROUNDS NASHVILLE
401 Wingrove Street
Nashville TN 37203.

625 Smith Ave (for GPS only) Nashville TN 37203.

EVENT HOURS:

SATURDAY JUNE 7
10AM-6PM

SUNDAY JUNE 8
11AM-5PM

LOAD IN LOCATION:

At the front of the Nashville Fairgrounds Expo Hall 1 there is a check in table for you to sign in and begin setup. During setup you can have any help you like.

During Load-In you will receive a wristband that gets you FREE PARKING at the Fairgrounds. Your wristbands must be worn for the duration of the show. They are shower safe. If yours becomes lost or broken you will need to purchase a replacement from the check-in table.

Once you are loaded in (not fully set-up but you have your materials in the building) you must move your vehicle out of the loading zone and into the parking lot.

The staff will show you to your spaces. All spaces are marked and NOT to be moved. As a reminder, the floor managers and volunteers are there to help but are prohibited from bringing in your supplies or working your booth. Be sure to bring any carts, dollies, or load-in help you may need to set-up.

LOAD IN TIMES:

FRIDAY JUNE 6
12pm-8pm

SATURDAY JUNE 7
6:am-9:30am

SUNDAY JUNE 8
10am-10:45am

NOTE: Anyone not loaded in by 9:30am on Saturday will not gain entry to the event and no refund will be issued.

Your space will be made available to an exhibitor on the waitlist. Those are the folks you see by the backdoor.

We encourage everyone to be ready to go when the doors open so you are available to guests for sales. Late exhibitors will be noted as this reflects poorly on the exhibitors and the event.

Parking can be tricky towards show time, please show up early to avoid last-minute obstacles.

DIRECTIONS

From East (Knoxville area) Take I-40 West to I-440 West follow to exit 6 (Nolensville Pike), turn right, go 1 mile and Fairgrounds will be on your left.

From West (Memphis area) Take I-40 East to I-440 East follow to exit 6 (Nolensville Pike), turn left, go 1 mile and Fairgrounds will be on your left.

From Southeast (Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Atlanta) Take I-24 West to I-440 West follow to exit 6 (Nolensville Pike), turn right, go 1 mile and Fairgrounds will be on your left.

From Northwest (Clarksville, Ft Campbell) Take I-24 East to I-65 South to Exit 81 (Wedgewood Ave.), turn left and go 1 mile to Fairgrounds.

From South (Alabama) Take I-65 North to Exit 81 (Wedgewood Ave.), turn right and go 1 mile to Fairgrounds.

From North (Bowling Green, Kentucky, Indiana) Take I-65 south to exit 81 (Wedgewood Ave.), turn left and go one mile to Fairgrounds.

LOAD IN

BOOTH NUMBERS

All booth assignments are currently labeled TBA, meaning To Be Announced. We will no longer be posting the exact booth numbers until check-in.

Why?
The biggest reason for this is that most cancellations occur in the final 2 weeks before the show. Causing us to move things around repeatedly behind the scenes.

When someone cancels, everyone will “MOVE UP” to fill the empty slot. Then, any wait list exhibitors will fill in at the end of the line.

This is both simple and incredibly fair. Last minute additions won’t “fill in” the closest spots.

Once at the show, you will receive your booth number, which will be THE BEST up-to-the-minute spot.

This does not mean the earlier you show up, the better your booth, though we do encourage everyone to get to the show early.

PARKING

Parking is free when you show your exhibitor badge.

We recommend arriving early on Saturday so you can easily find a spot.

LATE ARRIVALS:

We understand that there may be traffic or some kind of emergency that keeps you from getting to the show on time. If this happens you CAN NOT enter through the front doors of the show.

If the roll up doors for load in are closed, You will need to come to the front desk and get someone to allow you into a back door.

Anyone not on site by 9:30am on Saturday will lose their space without refund. We will have exhibitors on standby to replace late folks.

NO SHOWS

Any no shows will not be allowed to apply to future events. It’s just not fair to the attendees to have an empty table at the show. Please respect our staff and the attendees by being here.

If you message us saying you can’t make it and we can find a replacement in time, you get a 50% refund, so it’s in your best interests to let us know you can’t make it.

EXTRA WRISTBANDS:

You can purchase extra wristbands for assistants for $25 a piece, Max of 2 when you check in.

Any additional passes after that can be purchased for full price. PLEASE NOTE: You cannot purchase extra badges, just wristbands.

The Check-in tables will close at 9:30am. No additional wristbands will be sold at that point.

LOST/SNAPPED/BROKEN wristbands can be replaced at $25 a piece. We encourage you to not lose, snap, or break your wristbands.

WIFI:

Wifi is free at the Fairfgrounds. Select Fairgrounds Wifi and click on the RED OVAL for access.

FAIRGROUNDS GUIDELINES

The Nashville Fairgrounds is a pretty laid back venue but they have some important rules to follow:

-No Outside Food Or Drink.
-No Parking in the Load In Zone. Once you have unloaded you must move your vehicle or they will tow you.
-Take ALL trash with you when you leave. Any spaces not left clean will be subject to a fine from the convention center.
-No Adult Materials.
-No Fireworks.
-No Weapons.
-No Firearms.
-No Bootleg merch.

If you are caught breaking these rules by the venue, they will eject you from the event without refund.

EXHIBITOR SPACES

A great example of setting up in Artist Alley from Mark Mariano!

Don’t forget the essentials:
– Decorate your space. BRING A TABLE CLOTH
– Change for cash sales
– Any tech you need for credit/debit sales

And from our surveys this fan suggestion:
Engage with the attendees, please don’t bury yourself in your phone. This weekend is for you to make sales and build your fanbase.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS ABOUT ARTIST ALLEY SPACE

Artist Alley Spaces are NOT 10x10s. You are given one table, two chairs, two passes, and have some space (typically 2 ft behind you for signage, etc.)

We REQUIRE enough space behind Artist Alley exhibitors for other exhibitors to move easily in and out of the area as needed.

Table Splitting is NOT allowed. Each table should be for one creator and one assistant only.

No more than 2 people behind your table at any time. If you have a friend that wants to sit with you they can swap with your assistant, etc. But at no time should you overcrowd your space.

There are to be NO giant displays, large racks, shelving units, behind you.

At our last event we got a lot of complaints from other artists about folks going outside the limitations of what Artist Alley is supposed to be. So we are asking everyone to fully follow the guidelines at all times, be kind to your neighbors, and considerate of the show.

Thank You!

ARTIST ALLEY EXAMPLE

As an example, this model shows you how the Artist Alley area will look.

All Artist Alley tables are flush (side by side) with no gaps inbetween).

Exhibitors will not be allowed behind your table to shop. The basic rule is, if it fits on your table it’s good to go.

A banner or some small display piece is allowed behind your table but there must be enough walking space (shown in blue) for other exhibitors to get in and out. Venue staff will be by to make sure everyone is complying with these rules.

VENDOR SPACE EXAMPLE

Exhibitor Spaces are 10×10 and can not be “nudged out” for additional space.

Meaning, plan accordingly to give yourself room to walk in and out. Don’t box yourself in with tables. If you encroach into another exhibitors space or into the walkways you will be removed from the event without refund.

You can build UP with your displays to 15ft. But they MUST be secured. If anything falls on yourself or anyone attending the event, any injury or damage will be your responsibility.

LOAD OUT

Load-Out begins at 5pm when the doors close on Sunday. Exhibitors can be packing up at close, but cannot exit the hall until the hall is cleared of exhibitors and the bay doors open.

Loading Dock Masters will direct traffic and parking during load out.

PROMOTIONAL GRAPHICS

Please post our We’ll See Y’all At graphic to tell people you’ll be at the event.

For those of you a little more artistic, you can use the logo to decorate your own announcement. Please do not use the logo in any negative, distasteful, or misrepresenting way.

THANK YOU!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to both our returning and new exhibitors for being a vital part of this year’s show! It’s incredible to realize we’re celebrating our 3rd year, and much of our success is owed to every one of you!

Our dedicated staff, volunteers, exhibitors, and attendees are putting in immense effort to make this year’s Nashville Comicon the best one yet!

If we don’t get the chance to express it in person at the event, we want to convey a big THANK YOU for being integral to Nashville Comicon and for being cherished members of our special family!