Exhibitors
Q: What is an Exhibitor
A: An exhibitor is someone who wants to attend the event to set up a display for others to view at the event.
Q: What is the cost to be an Exhibitor
A: The cost of an Exhibitor space is $25. This includes admission. This gets you an 8ft wide by 6ft deep space with access to electricity, which is just enough for a single 6ft folding table. The cost includes a single 6ft table and 2 folding chairs provided by the function center. Any additional items such as a tablecloth or covering, extension cords, etc is the responsibility of the exhibitor. You would be responsible for any damage to the tables.
Q: What is required to be an Exhibitor
A: Yourself and whatever you are passionate about! The only rule here is that it has to be retro. There are no rarity requirements, just whatever you feel like showing off. It could be as simple as an Apple II setup or as elaborate as a full PDP setup. Remember that there are people who have not experienced some of these devices. A Commodore guy may not have had a chance to see or use an Atari ST.
Q: What are the expectations of being an Exhibitor?
A: The expectation is that you will have one or more devices that can be powered on and operational. An exhibitor should be prepared to answer questions about the piece being displayed.
Q: Do I have to let others operate the equipment?
A: It is not required, especially if you have a very rare piece that would be hard to replace or repair if it were broken. If you don’t want others to operate your device, please make a sign stating so. You are responsible for any damage that arises from operation of your equipment.
Q: Can I sell as well as be an Exhibitor?
A: Yes, but we ask that it be “light” selling. If you think you would take more than 50% of your space selling, then please consider a selling space instead. Unfortunately, access to electricity in selling spaces is difficult because they are set up in the center of the room.
Q: What are the load in and load out times?
A: Load in is at 7:00 AM, and load out is from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM. General admission tickets will be admitted at 8:30 AM. Please note that this is a hard cut for load out, as we will be charged additional hours.
Selling
Q: What is the cost for an Indoor Selling Space
A: An indoor selling space is $40. This includes admission. This gets you a 10ft wide by 8ft deep space with at least one 8ft table. This is enough space for an L-shaped setup. Access to electricity is very limited as these spaces are in the middle of the function hall. You may bring your own power bank if needed.
Q: What is allowed to be sold
A: Anything retro related. No food or drinks can be sold.
Q: What are the load in and load out times?
A: Load in is at 7:00 AM, and load out is from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM. General admission tickets will be admitted at 8:30 AM.
Please note that this is a hard cut for load out, as we will be charged additional hours.
General
Q: Who are you?
My name is Derek Lemay and I live here in Concord, NH. I have been fascinated with computers my whole life. My father was an Electronics Engineer and I got bit by the bug by just watching him in his shop. I was given my first computer, A TI-99/4A at the age of 5 and ever since then, I’ve been hooked! Although the TI was my first computer, my true love came with my 2nd computer, a Commodore 64. In my teen years, I ran The Upper Deck BBS in Manchester, NH and won an award for Best Local BBS under 18! My first job was at ESS Surplus in Manchester, which was a giant playground for techies like me. I spent my very first paycheck there, it never left the store! I eventually became the PC tech for the Manchester Store, and transitioned to their retail stores which were called Electronic Planet.
Over the years I stayed in tech, working as an IT manager at a local Fireplace distributor and then working at a private Fiber-To The-Home ISP. In 2006, I started a job as a sales rep for an E-Waste/ITAD company and was convinced this was my dream job! Today, I am an owner in Northeast Electronics & Recycling (NEER) which is an E-Waste/ITAD company located in Salem, NH. As you can imagine, being in the E-waste industry for 20 years really fed my passion for vintage computers! Today, I spend most of my free time collecting and restoring vintage computers. I also hold a Technician Class Ham Radio License (KB1RMD)
You have likely seen me attending the MIT Flea Market both as a seller and buyer for the past 15 years and other local electronics or Ham Radio flea markets.
Q: Why are you holding the event?
A: Vintage PCs are my passion, and I feel that there isn’t enough of these types of events around. After thinking it over for a while, I decided that I would take charge and try to get a good size yearly event going. My long term vision is to have a VCF style event, both in size and length.
In order for that to happen, it will depend on your participation. This event is relying solely on ticket sales and any donations from the ticket sales.
I also hope this leads to the creation of more localized clubs.
Q: Can I make a donation?
A: Yes! Visit the tickets page and there is an option to simply make a donation. For future events, we will be looking for corporate sponsors.
Q: Are you making money off the event?
A: Absolutely not! That is not why I hold these events. Any money received, either through ticket sales or donations is explicitly being used to cover any costs for the event, such as insurance, web hosting, advertising, design, function center rental, and any other incidentals. Any money left over will be used for future events, or for donations to local clubs to help hold more localized events. If there is ever an excess of money, it will be used to decrease costs for attendees or to have cool things for the event, like special guests, raffles, etc.