Exhibiting
How do I exhibit at Thought Bubble Comic Convention?
You can apply for a table space at Thought Bubble online! Applications open online usually around February-March each year, though this can vary. Keep an eye on our social media for the specific dates!
If you have missed out on this year’s window, you can sign up to our mailing list to be notified about when applications open for the next year’s con!
I want to sit with my friends, is this possible?
One of the things that makes Thought Bubble special is that we make a massive effort to make sure that exhibitors get to sit with friends and collaborators. While we can’t guarantee it in every case we will make every effort to place your table near your friends. To make this more likely please indicate on your application form who you would like to sit near and make sure that your friends do the same with you, so we know that you both definitely know each other.
I’m travelling to the convention, where would you recommend staying?
Harrogate has many amazing hotels that are really close to the convention centre. We don’t have an official hotel anymore, if you stay at any near the convention centre you’ll see lots of friend Thought Bubble faces there!
I’m travelling from outside the UK to attend Thought Bubble. Where is the best airport to fly into?
The closest airport to the Thought Bubble convention is Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), its only 12 miles away! You can get a taxi from here which takes 20 minutes and costs around £25, or the Airport Direct 747 Bus that runs to Harrogate Bus Station which is 5 minutes walk to the Convention Centre.
Leeds Bradford has regular flights to and from: Heathrow, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Prague, Rome, Berlin, Dublin and many more destinations!
Other airport options include Manchester Airport, which is 90minutes train or drive away. Or London Heathrow, which has direct trains to Harrogate or a flight to Leeds Bradford Airport.
Is there a loading area at the convention centre?
Yes. We will send out an email closer to the convention about loading permits for exhibitors who require them.
Where can I park during the convention?
The convention centre has a paid underground car park, and Harrogate has many other options. We will also contact exhibitors about a specific parking location closer to the event.
Is there wifi in the convention centre?
The convention centre does not provide wifi.
I’d like to run or be part of a panel at Thought Bubble, who do I talk to about this?
We love hearing from people interested in running panels at the con! If you have an idea please email info@thoughtbubblefestival.com with your proposal, including who you’d like to be on the panel! We have very limited panel space, so your proposal will be carefully curated.
I do not primarily make comics, can I exhibit at Thought Bubble?
Thought Bubble loves comics! That means that our main focus will always be comics and the people who make them. However, we welcome all creators, publishers and retailers to apply to Thought Bubble.
I didn’t get accepted for this year’s convention, can I get feedback?
Thought Bubble gets a lot of amazing applications every year, and often the reason for someone not being accepted is that we simply do not have space in our convention centre rather than a reflection on your work. The large volume of applications means that we are unable to give individual feedback, but we would love for you to keep trying! Our top tips for applications is to be clear, be confident and show us your comics.
I'm an exhibitor but I'm not receiving any emails…
Some email providers capture mailing list emails and mark them as spam or put them in weird folders, so in the first instance please check this hasn’t happened to you. If you are definitely not receiving any emails from us, please email exhibitors@thoughtbubblefestival.com and we’ll fix it.
Can exhibitors use AI in artwork they plan to exhibit at the convention?
AI generated artwork has no place at Thought Bubble. Team TB is aware of this when curating the convention, but should an exhibitor withhold this kind of information and be found to be using AI in their work, we hold the right to cancel their appearance.
