WonderCon 2025 -- Set up and SNB at the show (updated 3.30.25)

 Set up starts weeks and months ahead... with selecting books especially for each event, and packing them up for delivery. There's also lots of behind the scenes work making signs and configuring fixtures. Stuart oversees all of it.

For WonderCon, the on-site set-up occurs all day on Thursday. Friday morning is also busy with the exhibitors who load in that day. As exhausting as a convention can be for attendees, seeing it as an exhibitor extends those long hours and the commitment. Yes, it's fun... but also lots of hard work with few breaks. Essentials for exhibitors include some sort of wheeled carts, water and snacks. And a booth helper! Doing a show solo is sometimes unavoidable, but try to enlist help when you can. At least get outside of the exhibition hall a few times a day. Fresh air and sunshine!

If you exhibit at the same shows, you may be lucky to develop a community of friends and colleagues. Sometimes these events are the only chance you'll have all year to see each other. Even over a con of many days, finding that time is difficult, but worth it.

Here are some examples of tables that were set up on Thursday. Even when your table is closed, you can use signage etc to promote your brand.

Early on, it was just Stuart and me setting up at book fairs (remember those? In the pre-internet days). By the time we were selling at conventions, we had helpers. Now, Stuart has both store team and helpers that assist with specific conventions. He still does a lot of lifting and driving himself. And we've had nearly 30 years of this. Clients come to the booth to see Stuart and ask him about books and artists, as well as buy books at the booth. Starting this year, Stuart will be at conventions, but there may be fewer books. The website and physical store in Torrance are more efficient ways for Stuart to sell books. Hauling boxes of books in and out of convention halls is wear and tear on people as well as merchandise. 

Here are some views right before the show opened..

Here are some items Stuart featured at this year's WonderCon booth...

"Draw Stronger: Self-Care for Cartoonists and Visual Artists" by Kriota Willberg below is a book Stuart found in New York when he attended the Printed Matter's New York Art Book Fair. Stuart described this event as "the old APE in NYC. 

This "Draw Stronger" book is fantastic. The author is an artist and the book is step-by-step instructions for exercises that help prevent injuries associated with long hours at drawing tables/sitting. The author emphasizes the need to consult with medical professionals (she is a massage therapist, part of a group of exercise therapists she explains can help treat, but can't diagnose). Stuart is selling copies at WonderCon. It will be on the SNB website soon.

Below is the Moebius area of the booth getting set up.. along with a poster from Stuart's last France trip.

Here's the booth after the show opened to attendees..

WonderCon at Anaheim is a favorite show for me because it's close to home.

Update 3.30.25 -- here are some photos of the booth from the SNB Facebook page: