ANIME OCEAN CITY 2024 EXHIBITOR DETAILS

Event Location:
Roland E Powell Convention Center
4001 Coastal Highway
Ocean City, MD 21842

Where is the LOAD-IN entrance?
Load in will be located at the back of the building at the South Load in area. Two freight elevators will be available to ascend to the second floor where the Bayroom Ballroom will be located (where you will check in). If there is crowding in the back loading in, you may load in through the front of the building (with smaller items).

REMINDER
Bring your own carts and dollies. We can not guarantee the venue will have any to lend.

Load In Times:
FRI: 12:00pm-8pm
SAT: 6am-9:30am
SUN: 10am-10:45am

Show Hours:
10am-6pm Saturday
11am-5pm Sunday

Load Out Times:
5pm-8:30pm

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 wait list.

IMPORTANT:
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 same goes for load out, pack up your things first inside the building, then when you are ready to move your things to your vehicle you may move your car to the building.)

CHECK IN DESK:

At the rear of the ballroom is the Exhibitor Check-In desk. You’ll give your name to check in and then begin setting up. You will receive your wristband at check-in. Your wristbands must be worn at all times during the event (Saturday and Sunday). No exceptions.

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.

Broken or misplaced bands will cost $20 to receive a replacement. You can purchase additional passes for $20 each at the check-in desk during load-in. Max of 2. Cash only. You can purchase extra wristbands for $20 a piece, Max of 2. Cash only when you check in and the individual must be present. The Check-in tables will close at 9:30am on Saturday. No additional wristbands will be sold after that point.

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 front 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 at the Roland E Powell Convention Center but we do ask that you park to the left of the parking lot. We are left, if you are looking at the venue.

WIFI:
To purchase Wi-Fi you will need to purchase from the Convention Center.

Wifi can be pricey at the venue so we highly recommend getting your own hot spot for mobile sales.

NO SHOWS:
No shows will not be allowed to apply to next year’s show. It’s not fair to the attendees or the show to have an empty table at the show. 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 is in your best interests to let us know you can’t make it.

ADDITIONAL FAQS:

All materials must be “All Age Appropriate.”
Food, Firework, and Weapon sales are PROHIBITED.
Your table/booth area is required to stay set up for the entirety of the event – no breaking down or leaving during show hours.
Each Vendor/Artist receives 2 Exhibitor Wristbands per space.
Children are welcome, provided they are well-behaved and fully supervised at all times.
Bring your own tablecloths, displays, and signage. You are free to personalize your space but must stay in your designated area.
Bring your own carts and dollies. We can not guarantee the venue will have any to lend.
Precise booth and table measurements may be subject to change depending on venue availability.
Electric access may be subject to availability at the venue and may incur an additional fee.
Square and PayPal card readers work in the convention center but Wi-Fi is ONLY available through the convention center at an additional cost.
No subletting or sharing your table of any kind.
Due to the high volume of exhibitors, we do not take seating requests.
Pets are not allowed in the event.

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. You will need to first go to the Day of Sales (where passes are being purchased) and check in there. They will call someone and you will meet someone at the back (load-in doors) to be let in.

A great example of setting up in Artist Alley

IMPORTANT REMINDERS ABOUT ARTIST ALLEY SPACE

Artist Alley Spaces are not 8x10s. 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 IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Exhibitor Spaces are 8×10 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.

• No Fireworks, Weapons, or Adult Material Sales.

• Anyone who leaves early will not be invited back to participate. Basically, you paid to be here, plan to be here the whole time.

• Treat the event and venue staff with respect at all times.

The Big One

We want to thank all the returning and new exhibitors who are joining us for this year’s show! A lot of hard work is being put in by the staff, volunteers, exhibitors, and attendees to ensure we have another super awesome event.

And If we don’t have a chance to say it at the show, THANK YOU for being a part of Anime Ocean City.