THANK YOU for exhibiting at Maker Faire Orlando! This “Maker Manual” covers many of the common questions about exhibiting at the event, and helps us all stay organized as we move hundreds of exhibits in and out of the event space!
These details should not change, however we recommend checking this page in the days leading up to the event for any small changes to timing or load-in details that may arise one our team is setting up the event on-site.
If you have a question that isn’t addressed below, please email us at makers@makerfaireorlando.com (or for Combat Robot competitors, email the Robot Ruckus crew at contact@robotruckus.org) Please include your exhibit or team name in the email as it helps us quickly locate your exhibit.
Maker Faire Orlando has a zero tolerance policy for harassment of any kind - Learn more: Anti-Harassment Policy
We STRONGLY advise Friday setup. If something is wrong, we can likely fix it on Friday. If you don’t arrive until Saturday morning, we have very limited ability to fix any issues. Friday night is also a GREAT time to meet other makers and to connect with your neighboring makers before the crowd arrives at the Maker Mixer (see below)!
If these times do not work for you and you need special arrangements, please email us at makers@makerfaireorlando.com
On Friday (All day) or Saturday (BEFORE 8:30AM), please park in general parking (the field across from the ticket area), walk over to the ticket booth area where we will have general Maker check-in and Robot Ruckus competitor check-in tents. Have your exhibitor ticket QR code scanned, receive your badge(s), THEN go get your vehicle to unload at your building. Unload, leave someone with your items, return your car to the parking lot, then go setup. We have 200+ exhibits to setup in a short period of time, and vehicles blocking lanes and loading and unloading zones slows everyone down. Please ensure you have a cart and sufficient helpers to help you with this process.
You will receive email before the week of the event with exhibitor tickets. You may distribute these electronically to your helpers who are not arriving at the same time. At check-in, ticket QR codes will be scanned and a set of credentials will be given for each ticket. (All requests for additional helpers (more than 4 total badges) should be sent to makers@makerfaireorlando.com with the exhibit name. All requests for additional helpers must be received by Sunday, October 30th). You are responsible for making arrangements to get tickets or credentials to your helpers.
The Maker Mixer is from 6PM to 7PM on Friday night. This is a great time to meet other makers, grab food (we will have some light food, but note that we will not be able to meet all dietary needs, please plan accordingly), and try some of the hands-on activities. Our goal is to have our Make-a-shirt workshop open on Friday evening for the Maker Mixer so that Makers and Maker Helpers are able to make their own Maker Faire Orlando or Robot Ruckus shirt for only $10. We may have other hands-on activities open if those teams are on site Friday night and setup. Stay tuned for more info 🙂 Please note the Maker Mixer is limited to those with event (Maker / volunteer / etc.) credentials, no guests are allowed.
Load-out MAY NOT start until AFTER the event ends. Packing or leaving early without prior discussion and agreement may lead to your exhibit not being approved in subsequent years. All exhibits are 2 day exhibits unless you’ve reached specific agreement with the event producers through the exhibit application process or by emailing makers@makerfaireorlando.com. Vehicles may not be moved into loading / unloading zones until after the event has ended and the crowd has left the building. The main roadway in front of the Spirit, Opportunity, and Maker Faire Stage buildings will not open until at least 1 hour after the event has closed for safety. We know you want to get home after a long weekend, but we ask for your patience as we safely exit the crowd.
Maker parking for the weekend will be on-site with the general parking. You may NOT park near your exhibit building. All parking for Maker Faire Orlando is FREE. Please note that in prior years we have had makers who have violated our fencing for their convenience. These fences are for everyone’s security, and this action will result in ejection from the event.
Got questions? Email us at makers@makerfaireorlando.com!