The Small Press Expo has announced that it will return, live and in person, September 17-18, 2022. With COVID still an issue, the convention has announced safety precautions along with exhibitor registration and attendee information.

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COVID-19 AND SPX

SPX plans to take a variety of measures to help ensure that they can provide as safe an environment as possible for the exhibitors, guests, and attendees. For this year’s in-person show, SPX will have the following COVID protocols in place:

For SPX Volunteers and Staff

• Volunteers and staff must provide proof of vaccination to participate onsite
• Volunteers and staff must abide by social distancing measures while on shift
• Masks will be mandatory in all indoor SPX spaces, except while eating or drinking

For Exhibitors and Special Guests

• Exhibitors must provide proof of vaccination to receive their SPX badge
• Exhibitors will be limited 2 people per table allowed on the floor at any one time
• Masks will be mandatory in all indoor SPX spaces, except while eating or drinking

For Attendees

• Attendees must provide proof of vaccination to receive their badge
• Masks will be mandatory in all indoor SPX spaces, except while eating or drinking
• The convention is exploring the possible use of timed attendee tickets to help alleviate crowding

Additional Measures Under Consideration

The risks, and risk factors, for COVID-19 have continued to evolve and, with many months until showtime, it is likely that the safety measures will need to evolve as well. SPX will update the community periodically with the status for both the show and COVID protocols.

Over the next few months, SPX will explore whether they should require a negative COVID test within 48 hours of SPX as a condition of attending the show. Rapid antigen (at home) tests and PCR (lab reviewed) tests are costly and hard to come by in many locations. The convention will assess the additional margin of safety these measures could provide against the practicality and feasibility of their use.

Small Press Expos is also working with the Marriott over the course of the next several months to ensure the availability of sanitization supplies and masks, as well as the necessary equipment and logistical planning to enable proper social distancing in our meeting rooms, lines, etc.

COVID-19 AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY

One positive with regard to the pandemic is that SPX takes place in Montgomery County, Maryland, one of the most highly vaccinated areas in the United States. Based in part on these high vaccination numbers, currently, the Montgomery County Department of Health and the State of Maryland are allowing large functions at the Marriott, with mask wearing required except in the small breakout rooms and eating areas. Barring a decision from the county to halt large events such as ours, SPX feels confident in its ability to move forward with the show, and the attendees ability to plan accordingly. 

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EXHIBITORS KEY DATES

Following is the planned schedule for opening table registration for SPX 2022:

• March 4 – Invitations to publishers and creators sent
• March 20 – Table lottery opens
• March 28 – Table lottery closes
• Week of April 4 – Lottery winners contacted
• Mid-April – Hotel room block information sent to all table holders

The convention hasn’t yet determined the timeframe to provide payment for exhibitor tables. Expect May at the earliest and they’ll confirm the date with everyone by the first of March.

ATTENDEE INFORMATION

• Advance tickets will go on sale no earlier than late June, with availability dependent upon the state of the pandemic.
• For those attendees coming from out of town, the hotel room block will be made available the first week in May.
• Capacities for panels and workshops may be limited. Sign-up forms for workshops will be available in August.