Panelist and Performer Manual

Please use this manual as a guide for all the essential details that you’ll need to know for your panel or performance at MCM.

There will be a Stage or Area Manager onsite where your panel/performance is taking place who will be able to assist you in real time. Please direct any questions, queries or concerns their way and they’ll be able to help or pass this onto the relevant party. Please do not send repeated urgent emails to your current contact via email during show week as they will be at the event and will not have regular access to their inbox.

Alternatively, please direct your enquiry to the Organisers Office (see event map for location)  where they’ll be able to assist you.

Friday 28th November

• 10:00 - Show Open to Priority Ticket Holders

• 12:00 - Show Open to General Ticket Holders

• 18:00 - Show Close 

Saturday 29th November

• 09:00 - Show Open to Priority Ticket Holders

• 11:00 - Show Open to General Ticket Holders

• 18:00 - Show Close 

Sunday 30th November

• 10:00 - Show Open to Priority Ticket Holders

• 12:00 - Show Open to General Ticket Holders

• 17:00 - Show Close 

The main schedule outlining all panels, performances, signings, fan meets and more will be available via the MCM Comic Con website and mobile app the month before the event. Please check your relevant listing(s) are correct and flag with your MCM contact if they need any updates.

Complimentary speaker badges are provided for the day of your content activity only (including priority entry). For security purposes these are designated by name and are non-transferrable. 

To request badges, please complete one of the below forms by the 1st October, after which date, we cannot guarantee all requests will be fulfilled.

Your main contact will receive confirmation emails for badges directly from our ticket provider, Showclix, the week of show containing a QR code. Please check your junk folder before chasing this with the team.

You can collect your access badges from the Industry Desk in the main queue hall from 8am on Friday 28th November.

Please visit our website for details of accessibility, carer passes and relevant venue contact details. Should you require any additional needs onsite e.g. ramp for stages, carer badges etc. please notify your MCM contact asap.

If you are taking part in content in one of our Family areas (The Treehouse, Family Lounge or Family Gaming Zone), you are required to complete further information about your activity for safeguarding purposes. Please fill this form asap and let your MCM contact know once completed.

So we can promote your session where relevant, please complete this form asap will up-to-date marketing details the team can use across our platforms.

Looking for somewhere to stay during the show? We have preferential rates on many hotels around the NEC complex - view them here. 

The venue is well served by National Rail and local bus services. More details here. Once you arrive, please follow signs for MCM Comic Con in halls 2-4.

Ample parking is available at the NEC for a fee per car per day. Please see the venue website for further details. MCM have a very small allocation of complimentary parking spaces available for those with specific needs, if you have been allocated one of these as per your contract, please complete this form. 

It is crucial for panels/performances to start and end on time. If your panel/performance starts late, it still ends on time. Please arrive at your stage or area at least 15 minutes in advance of your scheduled start time to check in with the stage crew and prepare.

MCM Comic Con allots 10-20 minute breaks between each scheduled slot to allow for change-over. As soon as the panel/performance before yours has concluded, you may begin setting up for your own. 

If you require help setting up your laptop or with any tech, please let a Crew or Staff member know and we’ll be happy to get you the assistance that you require. Please have any music, backing tracks or presentations ready to go on a USB or laptop device. You will not be permitted to plug in a mobile device to play music or show videos, so please make sure you have a USB or laptop handy (and a macbook adapter if you have a mac!).

Our stages are equipped with AV as noted in this document. If you require any further kit, mics or the like, please let your MCM contact know ASAP. Anything required outside of the items listed on the linked document are not guaranteed.

Unless arranging alternative plans with your MCM contact, anything you need for your scheduled activity will need to be carried in by hand (or compact wheeled suitcase) and be subject to security checks upon entry.

NEC has a complimentary Wi-Fi service throughout the venue for general public use. This service is complimentary, and therefore NOT supported by the MCM team. Users can expect a maximum limited bandwidth of 512 kbps, suitable for light internet use only. Any other internet requirements such as on-stand internet will need to be purchased ahead of time. Please enquire with your MCM contact should you have specific requirements.

Participating at MCM Comic Con is a great opportunity to promote yourself to our wider fan community. We ask that you keep all promotional activity within your designated area i.e. no flyering or selling in aisles, other stands, gangways or the boulevard spaces. Should you wish to promote your presence ahead of the show, please feel free to use MCM branding/logos from our brand pack located here.

If you have a Meet and Greet slot scheduled, this will be located at the Official Show Store (check event map for reference). Please remember you will need everything with you if you wish to sell merch here; payment devices, float, etc. We advise you to head over with enough time ahead of your scheduled slot to get set up - check the main web schedule for a reminder of when your slot begins!

For emergencies, please follow the first aid procedures outlined above. However, if you are feeling overwhelmed or in need of quiet space away from the show floor, please use the Reset Room (check event map for reference) where a member of staff will be happy to assist.

For up to date venue and scheduling information, plus a few fun extras, please download the free MCM Comic Con app from the Google Play or Apple App store.

The venue’s Multi - Faith Prayer room is located on the Piazza (near Halls 1-5), next to the chaplaincy office.

Any props or furniture you are using for your panel/performance must adhere to MCM’s Cosplay and Prop Rules. 

Unless agreed prior to your arrival at the show, MCM will not be providing refreshments or food stipends to exhibitors. The NEC has a huge variety of food and drinks retailers located on the central boulevard.

MCM will not record your panel or performance for you, however, if you would like to make your own arrangements to record your panel, please let your MCM contact know, so they can advise how this would work best onsite.

Celebrity, Creator and Community panels may be filmed/recorded for ReedPop and Popverse purposes only.  The decision on which panels are filmed is the sole decision of ReedPop and Popverse. Filmed/recorded panels may be published on ReedPop or Popverse websites, YouTube, and social media pages at its discretion, and some of which may be for paid Popverse members/con digital ticket holders only. ReedPop has exclusivity rights of filmed/recorded panels for up to 90 days from the date of the panel.

The 10 minute breaks that we have scheduled before all panels/performances should provide ample time to set up your equipment and start your slot on time. If you feel like you need more time to test your presentation, we have limited availability to schedule tech checks before the show begins. If you would like to schedule a tech check, please check with your MCM contact.

If you have a question about anything not covered above, please let your MCM Contact know. Thanks again, and enjoy your time at the show!