Event created by Sarah
Event details
Baltimore Comic Con is held at the Baltimore Convention Center, and is the largest local comic convention. Baltimore Comic Con hosts an Artist Alley small-volume dealer area (similar to many other conventions) and this is where our table/booth will be located. We will have a 6 foot table space with chairs behind it.
Link to the event: http://baltimorecomiccon.com/
AS THIS IS A LARGE EVENT THAT DRAWS IN ATTENDEES FROM MANY STATES, WE ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEERS FROM OTHER AREA GUILDS TO JOIN US!
COVERAGE
Badges will be limited and will need to be switched off throughout the weekend. If it appears that we could schedule more than two people per block of time, then I am able to purchase supplemental badges for a very low price. PLEASE DO NOT PLAN ON TAKING YOUR CONVENTION BADGE HOME; AS COVERAGE IS CONFIRMED ARRANGEMENTS FOR HAND-OFFS WILL BE MADE. We are in need of volunteer coverage for the following windows:
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
PARKING
Please plan on parking 1 hour prior to your volunteering shift. Traffic in the city gets heavy in the late morning, particularly on Friday and Saturday. It may become harder to find a garage that is not full on Saturday or Sunday. If you are not staying at the convention late into the evening, it may be better to use public transit into the city. Please reference Google Maps to assist you in locating a parking garage close to the convention center. The Sheraton parking garage is most convenient and obvious as you turn in on Conway (not marked on this Maps search), however it fills up very quickly and it is unlikely you will get a spot there during the convention.
Parking passes are pre-purchasable through Parking Panda at this link on the Baltimore Comic Con website: http://baltimorecomiccon.com/about/directions/ Parking garages will fill up quickly and it is recommended to pre-purchase parking once you know which days you can volunteer. Volunteers who will be driving to the convention will incur parking expenses. These parking expenses will not be reimbursed, however they can be written off at your end-of-year tax return as volunteer expenses. Please be sure to request a receipt if you use cash-paid event parking. Retain a copy of your receipts for your tax records.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
The Baltimore Convention Center has it's own light rail stop with service from the Red, Yellow, and Blue lines. MARC Trains run into Baltimore from more distant county departure points, and stop nearest to the Baltimore Convention Center at Camden Yards, which is a comfortable walking distance of several blocks. For further information about using public transit, please visit the Maryland Transit Authority website at https://mta.maryland.gov/. If choosing the Light Rail, it is suggested that you purchase a day pass. You can also message @NodnarbDude with public transit questions. IF YOU INTEND TO USE PUBLIC TRANSIT, PLEASE BE AWARE OF HOURS OF SERVICE BEFORE COMMITTING TO A SHIFT.
Volunteers who will be driving to the convention will incur transit expenses. These transit expenses will not be reimbursed, however they can be written off at your end-of-year tax return as volunteer expenses. Retain a copy of your receipts for your tax records.
ATTENDING PANELS, EVENTS, OR EXPLORING THE CONVENTION
Industry badges to Baltimore Comic Con do not include admission to any additional events, signings, or panels. Should you wish to attend these when you are not volunteering, you will need to purchase your own attendee badge.
During your volunteer shift (especially since coverage is going to be minimal), you are not permitted to use your badge to attend events or panels. You are expected to be present at the table and actively recruiting future Extra Life participants.
Before or after your volunteer shift, if your badge does not need to be handed off to another volunteer, you are welcome to explore the convention. All badges MUST be turned in before leaving the Baltimore Convention Center/Hilton unless otherwise instructed. You may not attend off-site events, and you may not attend 18+ panels. Badge hand-offs will be coordinated via group text message. If you attend an event, please be sure to remove/conceal your Extra Life name badge.
Before, during, and after your shift — especially every minute that you wear that convention badge — you are representing Extra Life, Johns Hopkins Children's Center, and the Extra Life Baltimore Guild. Baltimore Comic Con has generously waived their fees for us in order to make it possible for us to attend and volunteer at this event, It is very important that we maintain a great relationship with the staff at Baltimore Comic Con so that we can continue to attend. Remember, you are representing a children's charity. Use common sense, and check with @Sarah if you aren't sure if the panel or event you'd like to attend is appropriate.
LUNCHES AND POTTY BREAKS
If you need to take a quick bathroom break and you do not have backup coverage at the booth, please take any loose valuable items with you (i.e. laptops, tablets, cell phones). There will be a small lock box available in our booth as well. There are bathrooms conveniently located in the Artist Alley space.
If you have backup coverage at the booth and need to leave to get food or take a bathroom break, please be courteous and let the other volunteer know that you are leaving the table.
Lines at the food vendors are horrendous, and it is not practical to leave the convention to purchase food. Any food you may be able to purchase will be overpriced convention food. It is strongly suggested to pack a lunch if possible.
SIGNING UP TO VOLUNTEER
Please let us know when you can volunteer. I will update the event with confirmed volunteer names below the shifts they have agreed to work. We need one volunteer minimum per shift to start off with, however extra coverage during periods that there is a badge free would be appreciated! For additional details, please message @Sarah, @NodnarbDude or @Ceraph1216.
Volunteers will receive ongoing updates and instructions throughout the week and during the convention. Thanks so very much for donating your time and energy for the kids!
TABLE SETUP & STRATEGY
As we will only have one 6 foot table available, our table space will be limited. Electricity is not available without incurring additional fees, so we will probably be operating without electricity for this convention. The Baltimore Convention Center does not provide reliable wi-fi, and we will need to use our own cellular devices to create a hotspot for sign-ups. At this time, I expect that the following will be featured at our table:
- Prize Wheel with small prizes and raffle for giveaways
- Participant Brochures
- Volunteer Brochures
- Tablets for Sign-up (will be fully charged and have battery backup available for recharge)
RESOURCES
Additional resources will be added here closer to the event.
