Here you can find information on being a dealer at the South Bend Record Show, including how to register, frequently asked questions, where to stay, maps and parking instructions.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR OUR NEXT SHOW!
We are accepting table registration for the South Bend Record Show! Are you interested in selling some merchandise? We’d love to have you set up! Just fill out this registration form and decide how many tables you need. Tables tend to sell out so book early and often.
Dealer Policies
Location
We are located at The Gillespie Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn, 53995 State Road 933, South Bend, which is located north of the University of Notre Dame at Exit 77 of the Indiana Toll Road (US-80/US-90).
Table Pricing
All tables are 6 feet. Tables cost $40 for the first, $35 for the second, $30 for a third, $25 for a fourth, and $20 each for a fifth or more. One table is $40, two is $75, three is $105, four is $130, five is $150, etc. First-time dealers at this show may be asked to pay in advance. PayPal is preferred prior to the show. Established and returning dealers can pay in cash at the show.
Load-in
Load-in begins at 8 a.m. Sunday morning. Dealers should follow The Gillespie Conference Center signs to the west side of the building. The door through the metal gate is the closest to the room. Dealers should bring their own carts. There are no carts available from the hotel. Check in with me at the show entrance and I will show you to your table(s) to set up. I also post the dealer map on the Facebook event page.
Parking
There is plenty of free parking available along that same side of the hotel for dealers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Customers also will use this parking lot.
Load-out
At 5 p.m. Sunday, dealers need to pack up their wares, load up their carts, and move to their cars. Everyone needs to be out of the room by 7 p.m. Unless you have an emergency or a very good reason that you have notified me about, dealers are expected to stay at least until 3 p.m. If customers are scarce late in the day, exits after 3 p.m. are fine. Please just come and see me first.
Where to Stay
We know some of you come from some distance. The Hilton Garden Inn offers a 15 percent discount for dealers based on availability.
Rates vary throughout the year based on demand. Rooms should be booked 30 days in advance to secure this rate. Call 574-232-7700 and ask for the record show rate. If you have problems booking a room, please let me know right away.
There are also several other hotels nearby, including Comfort Suites, Motel 6, and Americas Best Value Inn to name a few.
FAQ
Can anyone sell stuff at this show?
Yes! The show is open to all types of sellers – stores, collectors, folks selling off an inherited collection. We try to make the show as accessible as possible for music fans of all kinds, but this is also a curated show. Quality merchandise is essential. Please plan to book tables well in advance (because we do sell out) and follow the simple show guidelines (you can download the PDF above).
What kind of items do well at the show?
Pre-loved vinyl is the biggest draw, but anything related to music will be a good fit. Vendors selling CDs, cassettes, posters, memorabilia, T-shirts, and more are all welcome. Items must be music related. The key is to price your merchandise reasonably. Customers come to spend money on music. Some are looking for deals, others are looking for grails. We want a mix of both and everything in between.
When do I have to be at the show? What are the hours?
Early bird admission opens at 9 a.m., and general admission opens at 11 a.m. Dealers are not required to be there for early-bird shoppers but should be set up and ready to sell by 10:45 a.m. The show ends at 5 p.m.
Can I share a table with someone else?
Yes, you can. If you want to buy a table to split between you and another dealer that is fine with us. Just let us know so we can pair you together. There also needs to be a single person whose name the shared table(s) are in, and whom we can rely on for payment. If you are sharing tables with someone else, ALL vendors need to be approved by the South Bend Record Show. PLEASE DO NOT SUBLET TABLE SPACE. We have many dealers interested in this show. If you can’t use all the space you booked, let us know so we can offer that space to another dealer.
Are there cash ATM machines in the building?
Yes. The Hilton Garden Inn has a cash machine near the lobby.
What are the food and drink options for dealers?
Coffee and doughnuts are provided free of charge for dealers during morning load-in. Bistro 933 is located inside Hilton Garden Inn. They serve breakfast from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. If you are looking for a snack, the Pavilion Pantry in the lobby is open 24 hours. There are also a number of fast food and other restaurants all within a mile of the hotel. Of course, dealers also can opt to bring their own food to the show.
I do a lot of credit card sales, so what about WiFi?
There is WiFi at the hotel. Scroll and click on the section that says “do you have a coupon code.” The password is hgisb1. If you are looking for a more secure connection, however, you might want to use your own data plan.
