- Convention badges: All developers and groups who wish to take part in the Indie Boardwalk must have an AnimeNEXT Indie Exhibitor badge. Two of these badges are included in the reservation price of each 10′ x 10′ space. At the time of payment for your booth, you will have the option to purchase up to an additional two (2) per 10′ x 10′ space at a special price. Any specific questions regarding badge purchases should be sent to indieboardwalk@animenext.org
- All developers and their staff must receive and wear a Indie Exhibitor Badge. We ask that you please make your best effort to notify us of your badge needs DURING the registration process, or BEFORE the convention. An Indie Exhibitor badge allows entrance to the Video Gaming Hall during set up and closing times. Anyone found sitting at an Indie Boardwalk booth without a Indie Exhibitor badge will be asked to leave.
- Check in: The person who filled out the application for the Indie Boardwalk booth reservation must check in with the Indie Boardwalk staff table no later than noon on Friday of the convention weekend.
- If you fail to check in by noon on Friday without prior notice, you will forfeit your table and it will be available to be sold to another developer. You will NOT be eligible for a refund. If you have forfeited your booth and proceed to set up without checking in with AnimeNEXT staff, you will be asked to leave so that another developer can take possession of the table.
- Booth amenities: Booth spaces are available in 10′ x 10′ squares, each with one 6-foot table, four chairs, and one outlet for electricity.
- Double booking: Only ONE person per developer group may submit an application to reserve an Indie Boardwalk booth.
- Age requirement: You must be at least 18 years old by the check-in date, either Thursday or Friday of the convention weekend.
- Displays and set ups: There is a height limit of 10 ft off the floor for displays (the height of the table is included in this). All table set-ups and displays must be sturdy and only occupy your own space. Free-standing displays are allowed to be set up in front or to the side of a table within your allotted booth space. Displays are to presented in a way that they does not interfere with the other developers around you. If a display falls down, or is deemed by AnimeNEXT staff to be unsafe, you will be asked to take it down.
- Noise: Sound for games is an important part of the experience, but please be mindful of neighbors. If the amount of sound coming from a booth is found to be disruptive, as determined by AnimeNEXT staff, the developer / group will be asked to lower the volume. Further noise violations may result in staff asking the booth be broken down and the group removed from the Video Gaming Hall.
- Selling games and merchandise: The selling your game and other merchandise to promote your game is allowed and must be directly related to the developer’s company and/or game(s) showcased. Rules and regulations of merchandise sales are the same as the Artist Alley. Please refer to AnimeNEXT’s Artist Alley Rules page for the complete rules on selling at your booth.
- Merchandise: This is a list of what merchandise allowed and what is not allowed to be sold. If you do not see something on the list, email indieboardwalk@animenext.org or and we will make a ruling on it.
- Allowed merchandise examples (not limited to):
- Physical media / entertainment (CDs, books, games, plushies)
- Apparel (t-shirts, hats)
- Print items (bookmarks, prints, cards)
- Accessories (bags, pins / buttons)
- Allowed merchandise examples (not limited to):
- Refunds:
- Booths: Before you purchase your booth you must be absolutely certain you will be able to attend. Booth transfers to other developers may occur but will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
- Badges: These can be transferred, or deferred to the following year. Please email registration@animenext.org for more information. Refunds are only available in extreme cases and will be in the form of a physical check that will be mailed out after the convention, no matter when it was approved.
- Consequences for any rule breaking:
- 1st offense: Warning in writing. You will be given conditions and possibly a time frame with which you must comply. This may be, but is not limited to, lowering the volume of music, removing offending material for the rest of the weekend, etc.
- 2nd offense: Eviction from AnimeNEXT. If you have already been given a written warning failed to comply after the first warning was issued, you may be evicted from AnimeNEXT without refund.
- 3rd and final offense: If you are found trying to or have convinced another developer (whether knowing or unknowing) to help you promote / sell your game that you can no longer set up, due to having already been evicted from your own table, you may henceforth be banned from AnimeNEXT.
- Repeat offenders: If you have been evicted from AnimeNEXT once, you will have a chance to redeem yourself the next year. If you end up being evicted a second time, you will be banned permanently. Evictions do not have to happen in consecutive years; any and all evictions count towards your two chances. Though the AnimeNEXT staff retain the right to make instantaneous changes to rules and policies, every effort will be made to extend developers the courtesy to make announcements of any changes.
- AnimeNEXT staff will consistently monitor and patrol the area for policy and rules violations. Any and all observed and reported violations will be acted upon. A single violation of the convention’s rules and policies can potentially result in the developer being removed from the convention at the discretion of the convention staff. If an individual is removed, they forfeit all fees and will receive no refund for their booth or membership. Additionally, for the safety of the convention staff, conversations between yourself and staff may be recorded.
Indie Boardwalk
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Indie Boardwalk Application
General Information
Located within our 30,000 sq ft. Video Gaming Hall, Indie Boardwalk is an area meant to showcase Indie developers’ games for attendees to play. EVERYONE who has an AnimeNEXT badge will have access to the Indie Boardwalk.
- Applications open Friday, March 28th, 2019 at 9:00 AM EST and will remain open until all allotted
space is sold. Booth spaces can be reserved as (measured in feet):
10′ x 10′
10′ x 20′ (rectangle space)
20′ x 20′ (square space)
Every 10′ x 10′ space comes with ONE six (6) foot table, four (4) chairs, and electricity. E.g., if you reserve a 10′ x 20′ space, you will receive TWO six-foot tables, eight chairs, and electricity.
Each 10′ x 10′ space is $250 and includes TWO Indie Exhibitor badges per space.
Additional badges must be purchased separately, as indicated on the application.
What are the hours of the Indie Boardwalk?
The Indie Boardwalk is tentatively scheduled for:
- Friday & Saturday: 10AM to 2AM
- Sunday: 10AM to 3PM
Since Indie Boardwalk is located in the Video Gaming Hall where the schedule is extensive, we do not expect indie booths to operate the same hours. However, to maximize traffic to your booth, we suggest manning the booth on Friday and Saturday from opening until 8PM, then the entire day on Sunday.
If you are unable to open your booth with the rest of the Video Gaming Hall, let the video game staff know ahead of time.
When you close your booth for the day, break down and secure your table of anything of value. (ie. bring valuable equipment back with you and/or cover equipment to be left overnight with a drape). Even though we will have security roaming the room, we will not be responsible for lost or stolen items, so please make sure you bring your valuables with you.
On your application, please indicate whether or not you plan on keeping your booth open for longer than the suggested time, since this will affect your placement.
How do I reserve an Indie Boardwalk booth?
It’s a two-step online process:
- Register for Indie Boardwalk by filling out the application. Booths for Indie Boardwalk are sold based on time of submission and initial application review by staff. This method is also used if a wait list (Reserve List) begins once all booth are reserved.
- If you are approved for a booth, you will receive an e-mail notice that includes a link and password to the Eventbrite Payment & Application page. You will be given five (5) days in which to fill out and pay for your booth. Should you not make your payment within the deadline, you will forfeit your space and be moved to the end of the Reserve List.
- Once the Indie Boardwalk is full, an email will be sent out to the remaining developers on the Reserve List. Should any space open up, developers on the Reserve List will be notified and given 48 hours to accept or decline the space.
How do I check in to Indie Boardwalk, and what happens if I don’t make it?
Checking in is fast and easy, and is required for all developers and their teams before they can set up their booths.
If setting up on Thursday, proceed to the Indie Boardwalk staff table outside of Registration, where you can pick up both your Indie Exhibitor badge and check into your space in Hall C. Staff will assist you in locating your space and the load-in area.
If setting up on Friday before noon, proceed to the Indie Boardwalk staff table just inside the entrance to Hall C. Upon check-in, staff will assist you in locating your space and load-in area.
If you fail to check in by noon on Friday without prior notice, you will forfeit your table and it will be available to be sold to another developer. You will NOT be eligible for a refund. If you have forfeited your booth and proceed to set up without checking in with AnimeNEXT staff, you will be asked to leave so that another developer can take possession of the table.
How old do I have to be to reserve a booth in the Indie Boardwalk?
You must be at least 18 years old by the check-in date, either Thursday or Friday of the convention weekend.
How much does it cost to reserve a booth?
Each 10′ x 10′ space (you may purchase up to 4 for a 20′ x 20′ space) is $250.
How large of a space can I reserve?
You can rent one (1) 10′ x 10′ for $250, two (2) (10’x20′) for $500, or four (20’x20′) for $1,000. Any request to rent more than one (1) 10’x10′ space will be carefully reviewed to ensure that the larger space will be properly utilized.
What is included with a booth purchase?
All booth spaces are divided by 3′ tall pipe and drape barriers. If for any reason two (2) or more developers would like to share their space the barrier can be removed on request by both parties.
The following is included, by default, for each 10′ x 10′ space reservation:
- One (1) 6-foot table
- Four (4) chairs
- Two (2) exhibitor badge registrations
- Electricity – one (1) outlet will be provided by the convention center.
For electricity, please bring appropriate surge protectors and extension cords as deemed necessary. AnimeNEXT is not liable for damages to equipment due to electrical issues.
Additional requests can be made on your application; however, they cannot be guaranteed but will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Special requests may require additional fees.
Can I purchase WiFi or internet access?
We are working with the convention center’s internet supplier to provide you with purchasing options.
What is an Indie Exhibitor badge, and how do I get one?
An Indie Exhibitor Badge is a version of the normal Attendee badge given to developers in order to have access to the Video Gaming Hall during set up and closing times. By default, you will receive two (2) badges when you check into Indie Boardwalk. Please remember to request the full number of badges you will need for your booth when you are filling out your registration form. This badge acts as your badge for the full convention as well as Indie Boardwalk.
If I have an Indie Exhibitor Badge, do I still need a regular Convention Badge/membership?
The Indie Exhibitor badge serves as your badge for the full convention. This is a specially priced convention badge, and in the event that you get a normal badge before you check in, you may switch it out for the Indie Exhibitor badge.
Can I purchase extra Indie Boardwalk exhibitor badges?
Yes, they can be purchased at a special rate of $55.00 each (up to two (2) additional badges) at the time you pay for your booth reservation through Eventbrite. If you haven’t already indicated the number of extra registrations you need on your application, please email us at indieboardwalk@animenext.org
Can I still get the special rate for an Indie Exhibitor Badge after I’ve paid for my booth?
No, you cannot get the special rate once you have filled out and paid for your booth. You get ONE CHANCE to buy Indie Exhibitor badges at the special rate, and that is when you pay for your booth reservation.
If you still need additional badges after you’ve paid for your booth, you may pre-register for them at the regular attendee rate up until the pre-registration deadline. Any badges after that must be purchase at-con.
If I am not coming for the whole weekend, can I still get a booth for one day?
No, booths are reserved for the weekend and are not available for reservation on a per-day basis.
Can more than one group/developer sign up for a booth?
Multiple groups / developers can reserve and share a single booth, but keep in mind that there will not be any additional equipment provided at the booth (i.e. extra tables, chairs, etc.). Please indicate on your application if the booth will contain more than one (1) group so they can be listed individually in the program guide.
I have friends at Indie Boardwalk— can my booth be next to theirs?
Booth location requests to be next to each other can be made on the final form when you pay for your table. Please keep in mind that the location request must come from both groups.
Will there be time to set up and break down booths?
Yes, Indie Boardwalk exhibitors will be provided with setup time on Thursday, as well as an hour each morning and evening to set up and break down. Please remember that only those with Indie Boardwalk Exhibitor badges will be allowed in the Video Gaming Hall during these times. The only exceptions are during Thursday setup and Sunday breakdown, as family or friends without badges may help you during those times but must be accompanied by someone with a badge when entering the hall.
Is there a height or other limits on displays or table set-ups?
There is a height limit of 10 ft off the floor for displays (the height of the table is included in this). All table set-ups and displays must be sturdy and only occupy your own space. Free-standing displays are allowed to be set up in front or to the side of a table within your allotted booth space. Displays are to presented in a way that they does not interfere with the other developers around you. If a display falls down, or is deemed by AnimeNEXT staff to be unsafe, you will be asked to take it down.
Can I leave my things at my booth when I leave for the evening?
We suggest when you close your booth for the day, break down and secure your table for anything of value. (I.e., bring valuable equipment back with you and / or cover equipment to be left overnight with a drape). Even though we will have security roaming the room until the Video Gaming Hall closes, we will not be responsible for lost or stolen items, so please make sure you bring your valuables with you.
If I leave something in the Video Gaming Hall, will I be able to access it after the room is closed?
Unfortunately, no. Once the Video Gaming Hall has been locked for the night, no one, staff or otherwise, is allowed inside. Please make sure to take any personal items with you once you leave for the evening.
What if a developer I am sharing a booth with breaks a rule? And is asked to leave?
For all intents and purposes, a booth is considered one group, so EVERYONE in that booth will be impacted by any rule breaking. The person who purchased the table for the group is also the spokesperson for the group, so if you decided to share your booth, you must make sure that your boothmates are following the rules. If the booth must be closed, as determined by AnimeNEXT staff, then everyone must pack up and leave.
Can I sell food at my booth?
No, food cannot be sold in any of the Indie Boardwalk booths.
Can I hold a raffle at my booth?
No, raffles are considered a form of gambling and are not allowed in the convention center.
What if I have another question that wasn’t covered here?
If you have a specific question or concern that you’d like to run by the Indie Boardwalk staff, please email us at indieboardwalk@animenext.org