Hello from TCAF and welcome to the TCAF 2025 Exhibitor Newsletter #3!
Reading / receiving the exhibitor newsletter for the first time? Hello! Also - do not panic! You have not missed anything - all past exhibitor newsletter issues and all the information included here is on the TCAF Exhibitor Portal.
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Table Payment Deadline (Friday April 4th)
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Waitlist Update
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Hotel Block
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Travelling to TCAF
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Shipping to TCAF
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Exhibitor Portal
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Accessibility at TCAF
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Support TCAF!
Table Payment deadline
Our initial table payment deadline was Friday April 4, 2025; however, we know that things are A LOT right now - if you are delayed for any reason, please do NOT worry. All that we ask is that you contact us to let us know that there is a delay, you need a little extra time, or payment options. If you have just come off the waitlist, please aim to pay your table fees no later than April 30, 2025.
Waitlist
We have made headway working through the waitlist (waves hello to the exhibitors reading this for the first time who have come off the waitlist!), and we anticipate sending out more table offers very soon. We know it can be tough for last minute planning to hear that this list is in flux, and more spots may open up closer to the festival. That means some people may receive a table later than others. With travel frustrations mounting, we understand that some people cannot wait or will need to let go of their table offer, and that’s ok! If you have friends and colleagues on the waitlist, please know we are doing our best but - especially with everything right now - we cannot predict exactly how many spots might open up and how quickly.
Hotel Block
Stay with Camp TCAF! Please consider booking through our hotel block. We have arranged a room block for exhibitors, TCAF staff, and comics super friends at the Courtyard Marriott Toronto Downtown, which is a 3-5 minute walk to the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Please stay with us!
Last day to book into our hotel block is Friday, May 5th, 2025 <UPDATED 04/29/2025: Deadline Extended> and space is limited so we recommend booking early.
You can book by clicking this link.
Hotel rates in downtown Toronto have increased in the last couple of years, so we strongly urge you to book your accommodations sooner rather than later as the price will almost certainly not go down.
If you do book via our TCAF 2025 Hotel Block, please follow through with your booking as you are able. Though we understand that plans change - especially right now - gentle reminder that the festival can be charged attrition rates if too many folks cancel their rooms and especially at the last minute.
Traveling to TCAF
If you are coming to TCAF from outside of Canada, whether you are flying or traveling by car, train, or bus, remember that you need a valid passport to enter Canada. Please make sure you have your passport, as well as a digital / paper copy (just in case!) and that your passport is up-to-date. We've heard reports in the past of people experiencing difficulty traveling if their passport expires within six months of their trip so please be sure to check the *expiration date* on your passport. If your current passport expires anytime between July-December 2025, we strongly encourage you to renew it before traveling to TCAF.
Shipping to TCAF
Shipping from within Canada: About half of our current confirmed exhibitors for TCAF 2025 are residing in Canada. We can provide the following up-to-date information on exhibiting and shipping from within Canada. Our biggest suggestions / reminders around exhibiting if you are currently residing in Canada is:
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Ensure your calendars are marked and that you ship materials (if you so choose) by Tuesday May 20, 2025 as your items (if you are shipping) need to arrive by Monday June 2, 2025.
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For all artists local to Toronto, we strongly suggest that you bring your boxes to the festival directly. If needed, you can drop off items at Beguiling during their open hours (more info on that in our Shipping from within Canada doc).
Shipping from the USA: However, we know that almost as many exhibitors this year are residing in the USA and everything is in flux right now around so.many.things. Here is what we can share with you for now around shipping - please know that we will be updating this information as soon as we know more: Shipping from the USA (doc updated as of Friday April 18, 2025). Our two biggest suggestions / reminders around exhibiting if you are currently residing in the USA shipping are:
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Ship your materials if possible and/or have The Beguiling work with your Canadian distribution on your behalf.
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Ensure you have your calendars marked and aim to ship materials (if you so choose) ideally no later than Monday May 5, 2025
Shipping from elsewhere (not Canada or the USA): TCAF has always been an international show and we are excited to have exhibitors from more than a dozen different countries represented this year. For exhibiting and shipping questions from outside of Canada or the USA, please contact our comic super friends at the Beguiling for more information and suggestions on shipping / exhibiting options. Please contact Peter Birkemoe at The Beguiling at 1 (416) 533-9168 from 11am-5pm EST Monday - Saturday // https://beguilingbooks.com/
Exhibitor Portal
Reminder that all the information in this newsletter (and in previous newsletters) is also in the TCAF Exhibitor Portal. So, if you missed a newsletter or lost an email, never fear! All the information in this newsletter is also in The Exhibitor Portal! As this is an exhibitors-only section of the site, so you will be prompted to enter a password >>>> Your password: TCAF2025Toronto
The Exhibitor List will soon be live on our website!
Accessibility at TCAF
We asked about your accessibility requirements in your TCAF application. But if there is anything that has changed or want to reiterate anything that was in your application, please let us know. All information about Accessibility, Health, and safety at TCAF will be updated regularly via our Accessibility Page. The Accessibility page is linked on our website under the ‘About’ tab.
TCAF 2025 will once again be partnering with Retreat. Retreat is a space where neurodivergent (ND) attendees, exhibitors, staff, and other visitors can get away from the crowds and overstimulation to self-regulate. We offer a range of stim toys, from infinity cubes to grounding mazes, drawing materials, weighted lap pads, eye masks, and earplugs to reduce sensory stimulation. This is not a strictly quiet space because stimming isn’t always quiet, but there will be no music, no scents, and no loud noises. Retreat will be located in the The Blue & Gold Room (MAC 3310) on the Ice Rink Level and is accessible by elevator.
Team TCAF thanks you for your support!
The other week, we sent an email with a link to our Support TCAF initiative, and we are SO appreciative and grateful to everyone who has supported the festival. Thank you!
In case you missed it: Help keep TCAF free for all! TCAF is proud to champion comics as a vital art form: In this political climate, protecting the arts as a source of revolutionary self-expression and source for solidarity has never been more important. ​But like so many nonprofit arts organizations in our city, TCAF is experiencing financial challenges. That’s why this year we’re launching a fundraising campaign to help protect this beautiful space for art, creativity, and storytelling. We’d love for you to help us spread the word. In our next issue, we’ll share social media graphics and messages which you can use to encourage your followers to help keep TCAF free for all!
Stay well comics friends!
Reminder if you haven’t seen it yet, check out our cool video posted across our socials which introduces our exhibitors and attendees to our new space! If you haven’t already, be sure to follow TCAF on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube to stay up to date on our latest public announcements.
Looking forward to seeing you in Toronto soon-ish!
All our best,
Amie, Mandy, and the rest of Team TCAF