PRE-REGISTRATION
SETUP FOR EXHIBITORS, GUESTS, SMALL PRESS
GUESTS/INDIE ISLAND/SMALL PRESS
ART AUCTION
QUICKDRAW CONTESTS
NOW THAT I'M AT THE CONVENTION...
HOTELS / TRAVEL / RESTAURANTS / AROUND TOWN
MEDIA

PRE-REGISTRATION

How long do I have to buy advance tickets to HeroesCon?
We will cut off all advance ticket sales at midnight on Friday, June 13th, 2008. If you are sending in a ticket form with a check by mail, it must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, June 11, 2008.

I just ordered advance tickets. Will I get something in the mail?
No. Your passes, including any and all incentive items, will be available for pickup at the Pre-Registration booth at the convention. In order to speed the process along for everybody, we'll open Pre-Registration at 12.00pm the day before the show: Thursday, June 19, 2008. Be sure to bring identification with you to pick up your passes, so we can tell you are who you say you are.

Oh, okay. So when will I get my awesome print and whatever other cool stuff you're giving me just for buying my ticket in advance?
Are you listening? I just told you: you can pick up your incentive items when you pick up your passes, at the Pre-Registration booth, beginning on Thursday, June 19, 2008. Note that only you can pick up your incentive items. If you're purchasing tickets for multiple persons, make sure you list the name of each person getting a ticket. Otherwise, only the purchaser will be able to pick up those incentive items.

If I've purchased an advance ticket, but for some reason am unable to attend, can I get a refund?
No.

If I don't pick up my incentive items at Pre-Registration, or for any reason don't attend the show, can I get those items later?
If you miss the show, or for some reason don't pick up your incentives, we can mail them to you, at your cost, for up to 90 days after the show. After that time, we will consider those items forfeited. Note that if you pick your items up and then misplace or damage them, we will not replace them.

Is there any way I can purchase these incentive items aside from buying an advance pass to the convention?
No. We don't sell them--they're purely giveaway incentives, as a "thank you" for all those people clever enough to buy their tickets in advance.

Where is the Pre-Registration booth located?
Pre-Registration will be located on the Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard concourse of the Charlotte Convention Center. If you enter from Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard (formerly 2nd St.), Pre-Registration will be ahead on your right. If you enter from College St., just walk straight down the concourse to the Hall C escalators and hang a left. Pre-Registration will be just ahead on your left.

Do I really need to wear that wristband all weekend?
Yes. Advance ticket holders will receive a snazzy hanging badge as an advance ticket holder, which identifies you inside the convention to staff, pro's, and other attendees. But it will not get you into the convention itself: the Convention Center security will be looking for wristbands and wristbands only. So once that thing is on your wrist, DON'T TAKE IT OFF! This will be your entry to the convention all weekend. We cannot be responsible for lost wristbands, nor will we replace them: if you misplace your wristband, you will have to purchase a new one in order to enter the convention hall.

SETUP FOR EXHIBITORS, GUESTS, SMALL PRESS

How long do I have to purchase or secure space as an exhibitor at HeroesCon?
We fully expect a sellout this year, so we suggest you buy as soon as possible, especially if you'd like to keep a space in the hall you've had in previous years. If you'd like to be listed in our program book, you must be paid in full by May 23, 2008.

When can I get on the floor of the Convention Center for setup?
Exhibitors, Guests, and Small Press will be allowed on the floor for setup at the following times:

Thursday (setup): 12pm - 8pm
Friday: 7am - 7.30pm
Saturday: 9.00am - 6.30pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 8pm

How do I get onto the loading dock?
The loading dock entrance is located on Stonewall between Brevard and College Streets. You will receive a dock pass by e-mail prior to the show: be sure that Shelton has your correct e-mail address on file. You must have a dock pass to get onto the loading dock. No exceptions.

Where do I go to check in and get my badges, etc.?
Exhibitor Check-In will be located just inside Gate 7 of Hall C.

My staff is arriving separately, either before or after I do--can we pick up our badges separately?
For security reasons, only persons listed by name can pick up badges separately. Names must be provided in advance, by the person purchasing the booth. For instance, if only "Joe Smith" is listed on the form, then Joe Smith must pick up all of his badges and then get them to his staff himself, in order for that staff to be allowed on the floor. Or, if "Joe Smith", "Johnny Smith", and "Babs O'Herlihy" are listed, then Joe, Johnny, and good ol' Babs can show up at different times and get their badges, if they so choose.

I need electricity/phone lines/extra tables/other special equipment for my booth. Who do I talk to?
Electricity and phone lines are available through the Charlotte Convention Center, which you can contact at 704.339.6000. Carpet, fixtures, additional tables, and related needs go through the show decorator, Geo. Fern, which you can reach at 704.398.7440.

I sell bootleg DVD's, bootleg video games, you name it. Is that cool?
Definitely not cool. Selling bootleg versions of anything is illegal, which means you can be arrested on the convention floor and escorted away in front of several thousand onlookers. It's also against our rules: we reserve the right to eject exhibitors for selling unlawful or objectionable material at any time, without refund, at our discretion.

What about adult materials?
We're very proud of our family-friendly reputation. We strongly discourage exhibitors from selling materials of a sexually explicit or obscene nature, and outright forbid sexually explicit materials to be displayed. We realize this is a fairly subjective question, but have the utmost confidence in our ability to accurately judge. It is, after all, our convention. As such, we reserve the right to eject violators, without refund, at our discretion.

When can I get onto the loading dock to load out on Sunday?
The loading dock will open at 6pm, and not a nanosecond before. There will be a line to get onto the dock, so we suggest you take that into consideration when planning your load-out procedure.

Can I bring food or beverages onto the convention floor?
No. The Charlotte Convention Center maintains numerous concession stands around the convention hall--you may purchase food and beverages there, but the Convention Center strictly forbids bringing anything in. If they see you with food or beverages, they will so bust you.

GUESTS/INDIE ISLAND/SMALL PRESS

How long do I have to secure space as a guest, or purchase space in Artists Alley?
This year's convention is going to be one of our biggest ever: we have completely sold out all Small Press tables and booths. We're sorry for any inconvenience, but the response to this year's show has been overwhelming in the extreme.

Where do I go to check-in, get my badges, etc.?
Registration for Guests and Small Press (persons purchasing space in Artists Alley) will be at the Pre-Registration booth, on the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Concourse. See the General Info section at the top right of this page for Pre-Registration hours.

When can I get on the floor of the Convention Center for setup?
Exhibitors, Guests, and Small Press will be allowed on the floor for setup at the following times:

Thursday (setup): 12pm - 8pm
Friday: 7am - 7.30pm
Saturday: 9.00am - 6.30pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 8pm

I'm on your Guest List, and I have a guest travelling with me whom I'd like to get in. Can I get a pass for them?
We are happy to welcome, within reason, the spouses/children/significant others/etc. of our invited Guests. Please arrange for any additional passes ahead of time, as this will greatly speed up the registration process. And of course, we reserve the right to refuse where we feel the request is excessive--of course, we know you'd never take advantage of us so.

I've purchased space as Small Press, and I have a guest travelling with me that I'd like to get in. Can I get a pass for them?
If you've purchased a Small Press Table, it comes with two passes. Small Press Booths come with four; additional seats may be purchased according to the rules listed on our Small Press page.

How do I purchase space in Artists Alley?
Space for the 2008 Heroes Convention is completely sold out.

I purchased space in Artists Alley, but am not listed on your Guest List. What's the deal?
Our Guest List is a listing of all of our invited guests. Persons purchasing space are listed separately, in a section marked "Also Appearing In Artists Alley As Small Press", under the main Guest List and Indie Island guest listings.

Uh huh. But I'm an "indie" cartoonist or publisher--shouldn't I be listed on the Indie Island page, with one of those cool thumbnails and everything?
Similar to the main Guest List, the Indie Island guest list is made up of our invited guests. While we're not particularly interested in drawing distinctions, from an administrative perspective it's necessary. We look forward to the day when we can invite you, too.

I don't like where my table is. Can I move?
You can imagine how difficult apportioning space in an 80,000 square foot hall among 200+ exhibitors, 500+ creators, and several thousand fans per day can be. Now imagine changing that setup in the middle of everything. There's your answer. If you're purchasing space in Artists Alley, we assign that space preferentially for those purchasing early. The earlier you buy, the closer to the center of the hall you will be.

But that table over there is empty--can't I move there?
No. Sometimes people only set up for certain days of the show, or are arriving late, or whatever. In very limited cases, if there's a last-minute cancellation, we may choose, at our discretion, to move someone into that space if all parties are amenable. This is done only at our discretion: moving without asking permission can potentially lead to ejection without refund.

Can I bring food or beverages onto the convention floor?
No. The Charlotte Convention Center maintains numerous concession stands around the convention hall--you may purchase food and beverages there, but the Convention Center strictly forbids bringing anything in. If they see you with food or beverages, they will so bust you.

ART AUCTION

Is your Annual Art Auction really as cool as you say? I've been tricked before.
Oh, it's even cooler. Let me put it this way, by the end of the day on Saturday, most of the staff will have been on their feet and chugging hard for two long days: but still, nearly the entire staff shows up for the Art Auction, although we're almost always outbid. We do work at a comic book store, after all.
Anyway, the Art Auction attended by a ton of pro's, if you want to hobnob; and most of the people there are genuinely enthusiastic fans or creators, so the atmosphere is super-fun. And if you're looking for original art, there's plenty to be had, from the relatively affordable, to high-dollar originals and paintings. Nothing says "I had a great time at HeroesCon" like a piece of artwork hanging on your wall.

Wow, that does sound pretty cool. Thanks.
Hey, no sweat.

Do I need to do anything to bid on pieces of art?
In order to bid, you must register and receive a bidding number. More information on registration will be available at the Info Booth during regular convention hours.

I'm an attending guest, and I'd like to donate something to the Auction. What do I need to do?
If you're submitting something in advance, send it to us here at the store:

Heroes Aren't Hard To Find
Attn: HeroesCon Art Auction
1957 E. 7th St.
Charlotte, NC 28204

We'll scan it and put it up on our site to build interest in the Auction in the months leading up to the convention. If you're bringing art for donation with you to HeroesCon, see Michaele Autry, who's usually somewhere near the Auction Art stage at the back of the hall, or you can leave it with a staff member at the Info Booth. You should also see Michaele if you'd like to produce a piece of art on the Auction Art stage, in front of a live audience.

QUICKDRAW CONTESTS

What is the Quickdraw Contest, anyway?
The Quickdraw Contests are one of our coolest HeroesCon traditions. Entrants are given two pieces of Bristol board, pencils, and twenty minutes to draw whatever they like. When time is up, the pieces are collected and judged by a panel of professional comic creators, with the first and second places in each age group receiving awesome prizes. The three age groups are 10 and under, 11-15, and 16 and up.

Can I register in advance for the Quickdraw Contest?
No. Just show up (15 minutes in advance of the scheduled time wouldn't hurt) at the room designated for that day's Quickdraw, and get ready to draw! There will be a staff member on hand to run things, and they can answer any questions you have at the time.

Can participants keep their art after the contest?
We keep all the winning pieces of art, but non-winning pieces will be made available after judging at the Info Booth. Pieces of art not picked up by the end of the convention will be discarded.

I'm pretty sure I'll win--how do I claim my prizes?
I like your moxie, kid! Winners will be announced approximately 30 minutes after the contest is judged. The prizes can be picked up at the Info Booth. Prizes not picked up by the end of the convention on Sunday will be forfeited.

NOW THAT I'M AT THE CONVENTION...

Hey, I wish there was a convenient source of information that I could carry around with me, containing the names and locations of all the guests and exhibitors, not to mention a complete schedule of events and more. And filled with really sweet, often unpublished, and always incredible art.
Your wish is granted! 95% of the questions we get are answered in our Program Book, which is included in all the grab bags pre-registered attendees receive. It's also available free to anyone who wants one, usually on the tables next to the Hall C escalators, as well as at Pre-Registration and the Info Booth. Help yourself!

Okay, I've looked everywhere, and consulted my Program Book, but I still can't find __________. Where the heck is he/she/they?
Although we hate it, there are always last minute changes and cancellations. If the person or exhibitor you're looking for isn't where they're listed in the Program Book, ask at the Info Booth. They'll have access to up-to-the-minute cancellations, seating changes, etc.

I can't find the people I came here with: can you page them?
No. We will not make personal announcements. We hate making the regular announcements almost as much as you hate hearing them. Nor can you make the announcement yourself. We will make exceptions for what we consider true emergencies, and that is totally at our discretion. Make careful plans with whoever you're coming with as to where to meet if you're separated. We want everyone to have a safe and fun time at the convention, but there's nothing fun about announcements.

Is there a costume contest planned for the convention?
Probably, although we haven't squared away all of our plans yet. Stay tuned.

Can I bring food or beverages onto the convention floor?
No. The Charlotte Convention Center maintains numerous concession stands around the convention hall--you may purchase food and beverages there, but the Convention Center strictly forbids bringing anything in. If they see you with food or beverages, they will so bust you.

When will you announce programming for the convention? I want to plan out which panels and special events me and my friends are going to hit.
Why, it's already up, although we're still adding more panels and events to the list. You can see the whole thing on our Event Schedule page.

HOTELS / TRAVEL / RESTAURANTS / AROUND TOWN

Man, I'm hungry. Is there anywhere good to eat around the convention center?
Oh, yes. We're planning a comprehensive guide to restaurants, nightspots, and other points of interest in and around uptown Charlotte. It will be available both online and in print form, in our Program Book.

Is there an ATM around here?
There's one on the College St. concourse in the Convention Center, but it runs out of money pretty quick. We'll have nearby banks and ATM's listed in our Uptown Guide, coming soon.

Is there going to be a special HeroesCon rate at the swank Westin Charlotte again?
Yes, but we haven't announced it yet: coming soon.

If the Westin gets filled up, as it always does, will there be HeroesCon rates at other nearby hotels?
Most likely, but of course that's on a case-by-case basis. We try to provide as many options for our attendees as we can, and as special rates become available, we'll list them on our Hotel page.

Where do I park?
There are a number of parking lots and decks in and around uptown Charlotte; the most convenient to the Convention Center is probably the lot at the corner of Brevard and Stonewall. We'll be including parking in our Uptown Guide, coming soon.

MEDIA

How do I go about getting press passes for HeroesCon?
Although exceptions may be made for convincing cases, we'd prefer you arrange for press passes in advance. E-mail your request to Dustin Harbin here, including your credentials, etc. Your request must be received and/or approved by Friday, June 13, in order for you to receive press credentials.

As a member of the press, c an I get into the convention early?
Requests of this nature will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and in most cases only by appointment. If you're looking to schedule an interview with a professional, exhibitor, or staff member, let us know ahead of time, and we may be able to set something up for you. If you'd like to interview convention founder and organizer Shelton Drum, e-mail him directly here.

Is it okay for me to film/interview/otherwise record on the show floor for broadcast?
Yes, but only with the verbal assent or permission of those you are filming/interviewing/otherwise recording. Please respect the wishes of our guests, exhibitors, and attendees in this regard. We would like to receive a copy of any video or audio interviews, as well as photographs. If your content will be purely available online (podcasts, etc.), a link will do.

Don't see your question answered here? We'd love to help--you can e-mail your question here, or give us a call at 704.375.7462!