Saboten Con [AZ]

[Admin Lily]

Website: Saboten Con

[xipel]

-->GENERAL INFO

-Convention attended: Saboten Con 2013. (I've been attending since 2011, this review specifically goes over 2013.)
-City: Glendale.
-Location: It shared a room with the vendor hall. It was located in the back of the hotel, but all the hallways and paths led to it, so it was clearly accessible and portrayed as the main attraction.
-Set up time: You were given 8 hours the day before the convention to set up, and two hours the day of the actual con. You were given 5 hours afterwards to tear down.
-Contact Information: [e-mail]


-->ARTIST ALLEY TABLE PURCHASE INFO

First come first serve. You apply on the site, and choose from a listing of tables.
You pay when you apply; the best tables have begun to be taken very early because the director allows for purchasing of tables by re-attending artists the day of the actual con, for the following year.
They don't check for tax form, but you still need it or else you will be contacted by the city if they don't have you on the record, so the deadline is... when you're there, I suppose?
No badge purchase deadline, they're included and you can buy extras for a discount at the con whenever.


-->MONETARY INFO:


There are two types of tables; regular and premium. A regular one is 6'x5', and is just your average artist alley table. A premium one resembles more of an exhibitors booth, but smaller and not available to exhibitors. It's an 8x8' square space, and comes with draping and your normal table. I purchased a normal table, so this goes over the cost for that.

-Total Cost:

----(Table cost) $150
----(Badge cost if applicable) 2 badges come free with the table.
----(Hotel cost + Hotel name) The Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa at $119 a night.
----(Internet fee?) Free internet with the purchase of a room.
----(Loading/Unloading fee?) n/a
----(Tablemate/Extra badge fee?) 2 badges are included, one extra is $30. (A normal full event is $40-$50, depending on when you pay.)


-Profit/Revenue: $1000 ish
-Company/Artist Name: Xipel. (I was still going under Pixelduhst at the time).

-Vends/Table Stock: Prints, with a negligible amount of stickers.
-Table Location:
 


-->OVERALL EXPERIENCE:

-Artist Alley set-up: 9. Had absolutely no problem with it at all. They let you load in through the huge doors in the back, and give you plenty of time to set up.
-Staff helpfulness: I asked for help a couple times, and they were always willing no matter what it was to get me supplies, help me set up, or contact a higher up for me.
-Convention vibe: It's a very close, family feeling convention. Even though it's the largest in Arizona, it's still small enough to feel like a warm, open community. It's not overhyped or buzzing, but it's certainly not drab or dull. (Also, it's so well airconditioned; in Arizona, that's a blessing!)
-Worth it: Yes.
-Comments: This is one of my favorite conventions in the entire state. It was my first, and it's stuck with me this whole time. I've learned a lot and grown a lot from here; I always have a great experience. Not much else to say.
I'd advise against traveling here from out of state if you're from a cooler area, though! You're looking at around 105 degrees in the day, and you can't just stay inside all day!