SacAnime Winter 2015
Sacramento Convention Center
Exhibit Hall
There was a day zero setup, from 12noon to ~11pm.
Go in the back of the convention center where the loading docks are. There is a small paid lot to park in ($10) that is well lit. Or you can risk backing up to the loading dock but you could get blocked in by other people. Sometimes you can find street parking if you don't mind walking a block or two, metering is sporadic so bring quarters just in case.
ARTIST ALLEY TABLE PURCHASE INFO
Selection is First Come, First Served. Have a fast Internet connection, a link opened to the SacAnime AA Facebook page, and lots of patience.
Winter Artist Alley Registration usually happens 1-2 weeks after the Summer con is over. Tables go fast.
Winter sign up went without a hitch but sign ups for Summer 2015 did not start on time. Scheduled to start at 10am, I wasn't able to sign up until 11:30am. There was a problem with the web page. That's where the patience comes in. Also, updates were given by the AA staff to what was happening so again, SIGN UP FOR SACANIME AA FACEBOOK PAGE. They do announcements there before anywhere else and that is greatly appreciated.
Payment is due at time of sign up.
You must have a seller's permit or a temporary seller's permit at check in.
Badge is bundled with table.
Tables cost $100 this includes one badge. You can also buy power for your table, $60.
There is no fee for unloading.
Table helper badges are $20 but are limited to one.
Winter SacAnime 2015 was slow compared to summer. That is standard. I have being selling at this convention for 3 years and winter is always slower. I did make my table money and expenses back plus some profit but I also live locally so no hotel cost.
Tirrivee Creations, Crafter,
tirrivee.deviantart.com/I sell fairy lights, pixel sprites, soaps, book boxes and bags.
I was located at AA56.
Overall Experience Artist Alley: 10
Setup: 10, at con AA staff are nice, efficient and if there is an issue, extremely helpful. Lots of time to setup day zero and a good chunk on day 1 (3 hours before doors opened, I think). Tables are numbered so you can find your spot. Lots of space behind you. 8 foot tables so large area to display your fine wares.
Staff: 10 plus, again at con staff are amazing and I promise I will get their names next time. One time I did have an issue (at Summer2014) that I was promised by the email answerer would be resolved by the time the convention rolled around. Short story it wasn't fixed. The at con AA ladies fixed it for me within 10 minutes of my arrival.
Con vibe: fun, positive, people happy to be there.
Worth it: Yes
Food Locations: 7-Eleven across the street from the convention. Great for cheap food, gargantuan sodas, quick caffeine fix or heaven forbid if you contracted con crud, medicines, aspirin, ibuprofen, cough drops, etc.
Bento Box on 16th St. for exactly what you think, bento boxes. Chicken teriyaki, green salad, daikon salad, rice ~$13. Boyfriend had agadashi tofu and beef teriyaki. He said the beef was a little tough. But everything else was good.
There is a Starbucks and walk up pizza place inside the convention center. Be prepared to wait. 30 minutes is the average. Pizza was a little too greasy but Starbucks was good just slooooow.
SacAnime has grown over the years and is well-managed. They continue to get great guests that run the gamut of pop culture, anime, games, movies, tv, actors, voice artists, 2d artists, American, Japanese. Few of the events I have attended have been well run but I also make a point to ask my customers if they attended any events. I ask them what they liked/disliked about the events. Across the board from panels to autographs to dances the response has been love it, organized, had fun. Only complaints have been about long lines but hey you are at a con. There's going to be lines. You might be asking why I'm including this in an Artist Alley review? Because I have been selling at AAs for the past 3 years and I can tell you that a well run con all around means happy attendees. Happy attendees spend more and come back year after year.
hello