Terms and Conditions 2025
OVERVIEW
Take care completing your application form; Thought Bubble applications are curated, which means there is no benefit to getting the application in early. Take your time and double check your wording and links. Please take extra time to read the Terms and Conditions fully.
Submitting an application form does not guarantee space at the convention. Once you submit your application you will receive a confirmation email. Please take this as confirmation it has been received safely. All applicants will be contacted regarding the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful). Unsuccessful applicants will be automatically added to the reserves list if appropriate, and contacted should a space become available at a later date.
Thought Bubble is an all ages, inclusive comic convention. Discrimination, bullying or harassment will be dealt with on a zero tolerance basis. We ask all exhibitors to help us keep Thought Bubble a friendly, safe place and to please inform a volunteer or staff member if you feel these rules are broken by anyone.
PAYMENT
If you are successful, you’ll receive an invoice which should be paid within 5 working days of receipt. We accept payment via PayPal or electronic bank transfer. Bank transfer is our preferred method of payment. If you wish to amend your invoice, or have any queries, please email us as soon as you can. If payment is not received within the 5 working days, we hold to the right to pass your table space onto another applicant.
TABLE SPACE
A standard trestle table only, tables are 1.8m x 0.7m.
CREATORS (including Writer, Artist, Colourist, Letterer and Small Press)
- Full table (1.8m x 0.7m) - £200
- Half table (0.9m x 0.7m) - £100
RETAILERS AND PUBLISHERS
- Full table (1.8m x 0.7m) - £270
A half table purchase includes 1 exhibitor pass and 1 chair. One full table purchased includes 2 exhibitor passes and 2 chairs. Every additional full table purchased will come with 1 extra exhibitor pass, and 2 chairs
The maximum number of people behind a full table is four (two per half table), but we suggest two to three at any one time due to space restrictions and comfort.
SET-UP TIMES, TAKE-DOWN TIMES AND ACCESS
Set-up times will be confirmed to all exhibitors via email closer to the convention dates. These will include the option for a Friday afternoon set-up, and/or a Saturday morning set-up.
BOOTH SPACE
Standard booths are 3 metres wide x 2 metres deep, three-walled with electricity supply. Booth bookings come with 4 exhibitor passes and 2-3 tables as required. These spaces are limited.
Custom and larger spaces are available, please email us for details at: exhibitors@thoughtbubblefestival.com
JOINT APPLICATIONS
Creators can apply as joint applicants if they wish. Please make sure you fill in the table application with all the relevant details for all those who wish to exhibit; sharing space with non-applicants is not permitted. Only the primary contact will receive correspondence. The primary contact is then responsible for distributing information to all other applicants.
ADDITIONAL EXHIBITOR PASSES
Additional exhibitor passes can be purchased up until 1 October 2025. After that date, you will need to purchase standard weekend/day tickets, which will be available for collection from the ticket office at the convention centre.
BACKING BOARDS
Backing Boards are 1 meter wide and two meters tall, they will sit behind your table for additional display space. Backing boards are velcro compatible only. No pins or blu-tac can be used.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity is no longer available at exhibitor tables.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS 2025
Ensure you read and fully understand the Terms and Conditions before applying. Should an exhibitor be found to be breaking these terms, Thought Bubble holds the right to cancel their appearance at any stage; this includes asking exhibitors to leave during the convention weekend, and may result in banning from future events.
An email copy will be sent to you when you've completed your application, please keep a copy for your own reference. If you need clarification on any part of it, or have any questions at all, please email: exhibitors@thoughtbubblefestival.com
You are applying to exhibit at Thought Bubble Comic Convention. The event takes place on at Harrogate Convention Centre. All exhibitors must exhibit on both days. The public opening hours are Saturday 10:00-18:00, and Sunday 10:00-17:00.
Thought Bubble is curated. Only exhibitors who have applied and been accepted via this route may exhibit at the convention. Table sharing with non-applicants, or applicants who were not accepted with the express permission of Thought Bubble, is prohibited.
Exhibitors must be 16 years of age or older, those under this age wishing to exhibit must be accompanied by a guardian. This will need to be pre-verified by Thought Bubble, please email us to discuss.
Please ensure you bring your own hi-vis jacket/vest. All exhibitors must wear a hi-vis jacket/vest during the set-up and take-down. This will apply on Friday morning, Saturday morning, Sunday morning and Sunday take-down, i.e. any time you are in the convention centre and the doors are closed to the public. We will confirm the specific times closer to the convention dates.
No one under the age of 16 is permitted to enter the building during set-up and take-down (this is defined as any time the doors are closed to the public).
Exhibitors cannot begin take-down until after 17:00 on Sunday. All members of the public must have left the convention centre before take-down begins; this includes bringing in trolleys. If you pick up your trolley before the public have left the building, security will not allow you to re-enter until the building is clear of visitors.
We do not provide tablecloths, we recommend you bring one to give your table a professional appearance.
Ensure you do not block or encroach on aisles and fire exits at any time.
Ensure your table display is safe and secure at all times. Table displays should be no more than 4ft tall.
Be conscious of your table neighbour and do not encroach on their exhibiting space. This includes the space behind your table, which should be kept organised.
No adult material is permitted to be displayed. Adult material is classified as nudity and extreme violence/gore. Please keep sensitive items out of sight, e.g. under your table, safely censored, and/or sealed.
AI-generated artwork is prohibited at Thought Bubble.
No ‘hard sales’ tactics are to be used. Please do not approach ticket holders in front of your table.
Exhibitors are asked to remember that Thought Bubble is an all ages, inclusive comic convention that is open to everyone. Any kind of discrimination, bullying or harassment will be dealt with on a zero tolerance basis.
CANCELLATION
Exhibitors have the right to a full refund up to 1 September 2025. After this date your table fee will not be refunded. Please email us to notify us of your cancellation as soon as possible at exhibitors@thoughtbubblefestival.com.
