Run your convention like a major event — without the major-event price tag.
Tentpole runs comic cons, anime conventions, gaming conventions, sci-fi cons, maker faires, hobby conventions, and special-interest events of every kind. Dealer hall, artist alley, panel scheduling, multi-day badges, sponsor tiers, volunteer coordination — the whole production. With AI handling the heavy logistics so your team can focus on the show.
What Tentpole handles for conventions
Dealer hall & artist alley
- Separate application flows for dealers vs. artists vs. exhibitors
- AI-built floor plans for both sections, optimized for traffic and aisle widths
- Booth tiers (10x10, 10x20, premium corners, end-caps)
- Multi-day booth assignments
- Returning-vendor priority and seniority handling
- Vendor portfolio uploads + jurying flow for artist alley
Attendee badges & tickets
- Single-day, multi-day, weekend pass tiers
- Early bird, regular, at-the-door pricing
- VIP and premium badge tiers
- Group rates for clubs, schools, and corporate buyers
- Capacity caps with waitlist
- Badge data export for printing partners (Brother, Dymo, custom services)
Programming & schedule
- Panel scheduling across multiple tracks and rooms
- Guest of Honor coordination flow
- Panelist applications + acceptance
- Room capacity tracking
- Schedule export to PDF, mobile, or website embed
Sponsors & partners
- Tiered sponsorship packages (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze)
- Sponsor benefit tracking (logo, booth, badges, recognition)
- Co-marketing partner management
- Sponsor logo placement on event page
Volunteers & staff
- Volunteer application + shift scheduling
- Day-of check-in via tablet
- Shift coverage tracking
- Volunteer hour totals for swag thresholds
Day-of operations
- Mobile dealer + artist check-in
- Live attendee headcount across entrances
- On-the-spot badge sales at the door
- Cash + card both supported
- Vendor message broadcast for show-floor announcements
Convention types Tentpole runs
Comic cons
Comic book conventions, multi-genre pop culture events
Anime conventions
Anime, manga, cosplay, and J-culture cons
Gaming conventions
Tabletop, video game, board game, and TCG cons
Sci-fi & fantasy cons
Sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and genre fiction conventions
Maker faires
Maker faires, DIY events, STEAM showcases
Hobby conventions
Quilt, photography, coin, stamp, gem, model train shows
How Tentpole compares to convention platforms
| Tentpole | Eventeny | Enterprise con platforms | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free · Core $39 · Pro $69 monthly | Quote-based | $15k-$50k per event |
| AI dealer hall + artist alley layouts | ✓ | — | Manual |
| AI vendor scoring | ✓ | — | Manual |
| Multi-day weekend passes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Panel scheduling | ✓ | Partial | ✓ |
| Sponsor tiers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Volunteer scheduling | ✓ | Partial | ✓ |
| Direct founder support | ✓ My cell | Email queue | Account manager |
| Built for size | 500 → 15,000+ | Any (built for huge) | 10,000+ only |
FAQ
Can Tentpole really run a comic con or anime convention?
Yes. Tentpole handles conventions with 1,000-15,000+ attendees and 50-300 dealers, artists, and exhibitors. AI builds the dealer hall and artist alley layouts; multi-day weekend passes are native; the platform handles panel scheduling, sponsor tiers, guest coordination, and volunteer ops.
What about 50,000+ attendee conventions like San Diego Comic-Con or NYCC?
Those scale events are typically multi-year enterprise contracts with custom platforms. If you're at that size, you already have a dedicated team and platform. For everything below 15,000 attendees — which is most conventions in the country — Tentpole is built to handle it.
Does Tentpole handle artist alley vs. dealer hall separately?
Yes. They're separate sections in the same event, each with its own application form, pricing tiers, jurying flow, and AI-optimized booth layout.
Can vendors apply to specific days only?
Yes. Vendors can apply to Friday only, Saturday only, all weekend, or any combination. Booth fees scale per day.
Can attendees buy badges at the door?
Yes. Tentpole’s day-of mode includes an at-the-door badge sale flow that captures attendee info, charges via card or cash, and prints a badge in under 60 seconds.
Does this handle Guest of Honor coordination?
Yes. Each GoH has a profile with arrival/departure, table location, panel schedule, and special requirements. Volunteers and staff get assigned guest liaisons through the same flow.
Can I publish my con schedule to attendees?
Yes. Schedule export to PDF, mobile-optimized web page, or embed on your existing website. Real-time updates push to attendees who’ve registered.