I recently experienced my first bad convention as a vendor, and honestly, I should have seen it coming. The signs were all there, but I stayed hopeful that it would somehow work out. I wouldn't wish this experience on any vendor, so I’m sharing a few key warning signs to look out for before committing to a con.
1️⃣ Poor Communication — If emails about setup, booth placement, or fees are late, vague, or just plain confusing, that’s a big red flag.
2️⃣ Disorganized Layout — No map, last-minute booth changes, or a layout that makes no sense? You’ll likely spend more time figuring out where to go than actually selling.
3️⃣ Weak Promotion/Marketing — If the con barely promotes itself online, expect low turnout. If attendees don’t know about it, neither will potential customers.
4️⃣ Unclear Attendance Numbers — If the organizers can’t give you a rough idea of expected foot traffic, they probably have no clue themselves.
5️⃣ High Fees, Low Return — If the booth fees are steep but the con is small or unknown, you’re gambling with your profits.
6️⃣ Vendor Horror Stories — Check forums or vendor chats. If multiple people are saying sales were low or theft was an issue, believe them.
7️⃣ Unprofessional Staff — If staff are unorganized or unhelpful during setup, it’s usually a sign that things will stay chaotic throughout the event.
8️⃣ Guest-Obsessed but Event-Ignorant — This was the biggest issue at my bad convention. Organizers were so focused on hyping up guest appearances that they neglected everything else — event schedules, proper organization, and even the flow of the con. If you see this happening, expect a lot of frustrated vendors and confused attendees.
I hope this helps other vendors avoid the mistakes I made. Sometimes it’s better to say “no” to a con that looks sketchy than to gamble on "hope."