FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FUNDAMENTALS
When is the 2024 WAA Annual Conference?
The WAA Annual Conference will begin on Wednesday morning, August 26 and continue through Thursday night, August 29. The pre-conference symposium will take place the preceding weekend, Saturday to Sunday, August 24 and 25.
Where is the conference being held?
This year’s conference will be held in San Diego, California at the Town & Country Resort — 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108. Stay tuned for additional details surrounding our optional pre-conference symposium scheduled to take place in Tijuana, Mexico.
How do I register?
Members can register through the member portal beginning May 1. Nonmembers wishing to register will need to follow the forthcoming nonmember registration guidelines.
How much is registration?
Registration pricing is forthcoming.
SHOWCASE
What is the Juried Showcase?
WAA’s Juried Showcase is a jury-selected program taking place on August 26 and 27 – the first and second days of the conference — onsite at the Town and Country Resort. Applications for the Juried Showcase will be open February 5 and close at 5pm PT on March 4.
What is the Independent Showcase?
Our Independent Showcase program enables agents, managers, and artists to produce their own showcases and bring that work directly to presenters and other conference attendees within designated Independent Showcase hours. Those hours are:
August 26 | 9:15pm - Midnight
August 27 | 7:30pm - 11:15pm
August 28 | 7:30pm - 11:15pm
How can I take part in the Independent Showcase?
Independent showcases in the conference hotel are run by the showcase room coordinators which will be listed on the showcase webpage in early March. Please contact room coordinators individually for availability and rates. More information is available here.
EXHIBITING
“The Commons”? Say, what?
The Commons is WAA's exhibit hall and meeting space where folks gather to browse, meet, and network. The Commons will include traditional pipe and drape exhibits, as well as more compact and affordable tabletop spaces. There will also be open seating areas in and around the hall that anyone can use for a conversation.
How do I reserve an exhibit space?
Only WAA Members have the option to add an exhibit space to their conference registration. Registration opens on May 1.
Do I have to reserve an exhibit space to participate in the conference?
No. Exhibiting is no longer required for any attendee.
How many exhibit spaces can I have?
A single organization can purchase up to two exhibit spaces (more common for larger agencies that bring a larger team).
What types of exhibit spaces are offered? Where can I see the floor plan?
There are five exhibit types available: 10 x 8, 8 x 8, 5 x 8, Café, and Bistro exhibit spaces. Café and Bistro spaces do no have pipe and drape and measure 6.5' x 6.5'. There are also a limited number of small meeting tables available for Tier 1 members to reserve. You can learn more about WAA’s display restrictions and guidelines here. The floor plan for The Commons will be published when all registration information is available, in mid-April.
Can I request my preferred exhibit space?
Members in the 15+ exhibitor loyalty group (those who have been exhibiting consistently at WAA for 15 years or more) may request their preferred exhibit spaces. All other exhibitors will placed in the hall by lottery. Learn about our exhibitor loyalty policy here.
Note that there are a limited number of premium exhibit spaces, available to anyone, at an upgrade cost of $75.
How much does it cost to exhibit?
Exhibit spaces may be purchased in conjunction with a full conference registration. Exhibit space pricing is based on your membership tier. Pricing for The Commons will be published when all registration information is available, in mid-April.
When will I be informed of my exhibit space location?
The initial registration period for exhibitors is May 1 – May 22. Exhibitors registering in that period will be informed of their exhibit space location no later than May 28. Any remaining exhibit spaces will be released for sale beginning May 29. Those registering in the second round of exhibitor registration (May 29 onward) will be informed of their space location within a week of registering.