HFTH 2026 
VENDOR PACKET

THE VENUE 

 

VENUE DETAILS 

The Hilton Austin is located in downtown Austin, near 1-35. The hotel is on 4th St., in between Red River St. and Neches St. The main entrance to the hotel is on Neches St. The parking garage entrance and the loading dock is on Red River St.

 

We will be utilizing two floors. The 6th floor will be our main floor and is where most of the event will take place: Registration/Entry, the Market, Special Guests, Evil Santa, Krampus Parade, Craft Classes, Panels and a few other attractions. The 4th floor is where the Blood Over Texas Film Festival will take place. We will be using one room on that floor for the Screening Room. The 6th and 4th floors are connected by escalators and elevators. There is no 5th floor. 

 

The hotel features multiple restaurants, a bar and a Starbucks for food/drink options. It features a roof top pool (if weather is permitting), a fitness center (including an F45 location), a Topgolf Swing Suite and a UPS store. The hotel is within walking distance of several restaurants, bars and clubs. It’s also within blocks of some of our favorite haunts that cater to folks like us. We hope to organize some special meetups and maybe some night events at those spots.

 

 

PARKING 

The hotel has a paid parking garage. Vendors will get a discounted rate of $10 to park in the garage during the day and $53 for overnight parking (vendors staying at the hotel). The parking garage can only accommodate vehicles under 8ft! Vendors with large trucks, oversized vehicles and those pulling a trailer won’t be able to access this garage and will need to park offsite. The hotel will provide us with a list of nearby lots that can accommodate and we’ll share that info when we send out detailed Load In/Out information at a later date. 

 

For attendees, they will be able to park in the hotel garage, the old Convention Center Parking Garage across the street, numerous parking lots around the hotel and street parking (free on Sunday). 

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LOAD IN/OUT

Vendors will receive detailed Load In/Out information at a later date with plenty of time to plan. That info will be emailed to vendors and will be posted in the Vendor Portal.

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Friday the 20th is the main Load In day. The bulk of your load in should occur on this day.  We will have staff at the loading dock and in the garage for Friday’s load in day to help direct. 

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Saturday the 21st is Final Load In/Setup (8:30-10:30am). No load in should be taking place past 10:30. Make sure you are ready for doors at 11.

 

Vendors will be loading/unloading in two different areas depending on their vehicle size: The hotel loading dock or the parking garage. Most vendors will be using the garage. With oversized vehicles using the loading dock.

 

LOADING DOCK. For oversized vehicles that don’t fit in the garage (under 8ft). Such as large trucks, box trucks and vehicles with a trailer. You will be able to schedule a load in time on Friday. More details on loading in this area to come.

 

PARKING GARAGE  Most of our vendors will be unloading/loading from their cars in the hotel parking garage. Vendors will use the guest elevators in the garage to go up to the 6th floor. 

 

For either area, please give yourself ample time to unload as you will be all using and sharing elevators. Most likely requiring several trips to complete unloading. For both areas, carts are not provided so bringing your own is essential (i.e. push carts, dollies and wagons).

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VENDOR CHECK IN

When you arrive, check in with the staff in the Main Ballroom on the 6th floor. A vendor map will be sent out before the event and staff will also help direct you during check in.

 

VENDOR BADGES  Vendors get two badges/lanyards with their booth purchase. Additional wristbands can be purchased for $10 each for any additional booth workers. You will be able to purchase those in the vendor store (limit of 2). Vendors will be given badges/lanyards and wristbands when you check in. 

 

• Vendor wristbands and vendor badges must be worn throughout the weekend. Replacement badges and wristbands will not be available.

 

• Vendors and their staff are not allowed to share them or give them to non-vendors for entry. If a vendor is caught sharing the lanyard badges, they will forfeit their space for the weekend and no refund will be given. 

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VENDOR SPACES

 

BOOTH SIZES & PLACEMENT

8x8: $290 (8ft wide x 8ft deep)

10x10: $370 (10x10)

END CAP STANDARD: $630 (18ft wide x 8ft deep) High visibility. No electricity available.

END CAP PREMIUM: $890 (20ft wide x 10ft deep) Placed on the inside of the main center aisle. No electricity available.

UPGRADE: $50 extra. This upgraded placement is in addition to your booth fee and gives you either a corner spot (with two sides to sell) 

or an island (with 3 sides to sell). Both options will be placed along the wall. 

 

• Vendors must show both days. No one-day vending available. No sharing of spaces unless pre-approved.

• Payments are made in the Vendor Store on our website (Card, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay). Your space is not confirmed until payment is received.

• No refunds given unless the event is canceled! This is firm and no refund will be given if you need to cancel for any reason or are a no show.

 

 

MERCHANDISE 

• Vendors are required to sell horror, gothic and dark merchandise. 

• In our experience, the buyers at this market are mainly buying gifts and respond to low to mid-priced items the most. That doesn’t mean you can’t sell higher priced items, we just suggest that you have some low to mid-priced options available. For example, if an artist is selling originals, it’s a good idea to have prints available; as well as, various items with the art on them (i.e. magnets, stickers, clothing, etc.). 

 

WEAPONS: Any merchandise that may be considered a “dangerous weapon” is regulated by the venue and our insurance carrier (i.e. real knives, saws, hatchets, axes, etc). If you sell this kind of this merch, please contact us for more info on the policy. Selling of guns is not allowed.

 

PROHIBITED ITEMS: The venue and insurance does not allow the selling of any CBD products, pornography, drug paraphernalia, fireworks or other normally regulated items. If you have any questions on this, please contact us. 

 

CONSUMABLES: In general, most food and drink vendors are not accepted. Particularly homemade products that are not manufacturer sealed. Some pre-packaged food items may be accepted and is subject to approval from the venue. Vendors will also be required to apply and pay for  additional permits/waivers if approved.

 

COPYRIGHTED MERCH: Vendors agree not to sell any bootleg or copyrighted material where they don’t own the copyright. Blood Over Texas nor Hilton Austin shall be held responsible.

 

 

SETUP 

• Vendors must bring all of the items needed for their space (i.e. tables, chairs, etc.) and must keep all of their setup within their designated space. The venue does have tables and chairs available to use at no cost. You’ll be able to order them in the Vendor Store. Please do not use tape on the rental tables and chairs. Vendors are responsible for any damage or clean up fees to restore rental equipment.

 

• Pipe and drape will only be used in the center aisles. No pipe and drape will be available along the walls because of the multiple sets of exit doors. If you didn’t indicate in the application that you wanted pipe and drape, you will be placed at our discretion. You are allowed to bring your own backdrop regardless.

• You may not attach anything directly onto the drapes. If you need to hang up a banner, use drape hooks that hang off of the top of the pipe. 

• All items, including backdrops, must be free-standing and may not be leaned on the walls, attached or taped to the walls or the drapes. Vendors are responsible for any damage to the venue, the venue’s equipment or the pipe and drapes.

 

Electricity/Lighting: Electricity is available at no charge for vendors placed along the walls. There is no electricity available in the center aisles because, unlike our previous venue, there are no outlets in the floor. Drop downs are not available. If you didn’t let us know during the application process, contact us a.s.a.p. Outlets along the walls are limited. We always suggest using battery-operated devices; as well as, battery backups when necessary. The lighting in the venue is sufficient and no booth lighting should be needed, unless for decorative purposes. 

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RULES & REGULATIONS

​By paying for your space you are agreeing that you have read and understand the information given in this Vendor Packet. If you have any questions, please contact us at: bloodovertexas@yahoo.com

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VENDOR LIABILITY: Every Vendor is considered an independently owned business entity and are solely responsible for their own business liabilities, which include, but are not limited to: state and federal tax liabilities; copyright protection or infringement; any legal action taken against them or their workers or volunteers; etc. Blood Over Texas nor Hilton Austin shall be held responsible.

 

NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL: Bringing outside alcohol into the venue not only violates the policies of the venue and caterer but is against State TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission) laws and is strictly prohibited. Vendors found bringing outside alcohol into their booth will be asked to leave and will not be given a refund. Vendors found violating this policy may also be barred from future shows.

 

FIRE: No lit candles or any kind of fire is allowed. No fog machines.

 

NO CONCEALED CARRY: Concealed carry is not allowed at this event.

 

FLYERING: No flyering outside your booth is allowed at the event. If you’d like to promote your business, you are welcome to give out flyers and business cards from your booth. Please do not walk around handing out your flyers. There are many vendors who sell similar items and we want to respect everyone’s selling environment. 

 

NO RE-SELLING OF OTHER VENDOR’S MERCH: Purchasing merch from another vendor at the event and then re-selling at your booth without their knowledge and approval is prohibited. 

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CODE OF CONDUCT

We strive to have everyone at our events feel like they are in a safe environment and treated with respect. By attending the event, you are agreeing to our Code of Conduct. This is posted on our site.