Exhibitors at the FOLD

FAQs

• What is the format of the 2025 festival?

  The first half of the 2025 festival events will be delivered in our virtual platform April 27-30; in-person events will take place at the Rose Theatre, with special events at various Brampton locations from May 1-4. Exhibitor booths are only available virtually.

• How do FOLD virtual events work?

  Once attendees purchase a virtual pass, starting on April 24, they can log in to explore the virtual space and watch on-demand events. Live virtual events begin on Sunday, April 27 and will continue until Wednesday, April 30. In addition to virtual events, the live schedule includes literary trivia times and after-party conversations with authors. During this time, attendees earn points that goes towards winning incredible prizes when they visit each booth. Attendees will have access to the platform and the virtual exhibit hall until June 30.

• How does the virtual Exhibit Hall work?

  The virtual platform Exhibit Hall allows organizations to share information with attendees in a customized booth. Organizations can select a booth style that suits their needs and then design the graphics that slide into the display. A menu bar provides additional ways to connect passholders with web-based links and content. Virtual booths also include a space for documents and videos – book lists, catalogues, educator guides, videos and more. The FOLD annual leaderboard competition encourages attendees to visit all booths to earn points and prizes

• What is the difference between a sponsor booth and an exhibitor booth?

  Sponsorship packages begin at $500 and include a number of perks and benefits, including a guaranteed virtual exhibitor booth. Due to limited spacing in the virtual platform, exhibitors must apply for a booth by March 10, 2025. The cost of a virtual exhibitor booth is $155. To sponsor the festival email director@thefoldcanada.org.

• How does the set-up for an exhibitor booth work?

  Once an exhibitor space is confirmed, organizations will receive an invitation to begin designing their booth. Returning exhibitors will be able to update previous designs OR create a new design. Booths need to be completed by April 17, 2025.

  Exhibitors will need to follow a simple six-step process to design their booth on the backend of the platform. This process can be done gradually or all at once. Returning exhibitors do not have to create a new booth. They can simply update, adjust or reuse a previous design. Graphic design requirements are minimal and the booth provides space for files and videos to be added for participants to see and download, along with links to any relevant locations on your website.

• Are staff required to be available during the festival?

  All exhibitors and sponsors are encouraged to host a roundtable at the Writers’ Hub on Sunday April 27 from 3:30-5:00PM ET. The roundtables need to be staffed for the duration of the Writers’ Hub by someone from your organization.

• What are the benefits of hosting a roundtable?

  The Roundtable section of the platform allows users to engage in small video-based conversations with a roundtable host. Previous exhibitors have been able to answer critical questions and provide helpful direction to attendees; some agents and publishers have signed new authors based on exchanges that began at the Writer’s Hub.

• How do I set up my Writers' Hub Roundtable?

  In the application form, exhibitors will be asked about their interest in hosting a roundtable. If you are interested in taking part in the Writers’s Hub, you can indicate the theme and focus of your roundtable, save that decision for later, or the FOLD team can provide suggestions. The most important question, which often determines the focus of the roundtable, is who will be your roundtable host? Keep the focus as broad as possible in relation to their expertise. If an editor is the host, the focus might be different than if someone from marketing or someone from publicity is hosting the table. NEW: In this year’s application, you’ll also be asked for preferred table size. We recommend a table of no more than 20 seats and no less than 5. Check out the demo here.

• Can we sell products from our booth?

  While there is no shopping function on the platform, exhibitors can use their booth or the menu under their booth to direct attendees to a page/store on their own website.

• What if I want to chat with participants outside the Writers' Hub time?

  On live festival days (April 24-April 30), you and your booth reps (anyone you list as a booth rep when building your exhibitor booth) can chat with participants using the chat feature on the platform.