This blog and FAQ will be updated with the latest information leading up to the convention, so if you ever are wondering where to find the most up-to-date info on this topic, check here first.
Really Important Note About Saturday Morning Opening:
Even with all of the improvements we’ve made over the years, if you plan on entering first thing on Saturday morning, please know that there will be the longest lines and the biggest crowds outside the Convention Center than at any other point in the weekend.
If you have your heart set on being among the first to enter the convention, then we recommend you arrive about two hours before the official opening time of 9:30 for Speed pass holders and 10 a.m. for general attendees. If you don’t want to deal with very large crowds, consider arriving about an hour after the convention opens.
The short version is: there are inherent limitations to how fast we can process and move tens of thousands of people, so there will be wait times to get in on Saturday. Please prepare accordingly for this.
Important P.S to Our Most Dedicated Fans:
To those of you who, every year, make the massive effort to arrive the earliest, often in costume, regardless of the summer heat, in order to be among the very first to get in, and kindly help others who are not as con-savvy as you are, WE ARE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU! Please accept our heartfelt thank you for so strongly supporting Denver Pop Culture Con, Pop Culture Classroom, and for just being awesome human beings. OK, deep breath, now let’s talk about the entry details for this year.
** We strongly encourage you to please read the entire “Getting In: Step-by-Step” section below as it contains very important information that will save you time at entry, including detailed information about bag/prop checks. **
FIRST THINGS FIRST
We’ve worked hard this year to produce even more informational blogs, FAQs a reference pages to help you have the best experience possible at the convention. Here’s a few of the most important ones to check out first.
BUYING BADGES “AT THE DOOR”
The Onsite Purchase booths will be setup at Attendee Entrance #2.
If you intend to buy your badges onsite, we recommend you arrive at the convention center at least an hour before you want to enter Denver Pop Culture Con. If it’s Saturday morning, arrive about two hours early.
Note that you MUST go through the entry line and bag/prop check process at the #2 Attendee Entrances (as described in the “Getting In, Step-by-Step” section below) before you will be able to access the Onsite Purchase booths.
Once you have proceeded through the entry line and through the bag/prop check area, you will see a row of booths setup for onsite purchases. Enter a line for one of the booths to buy your badge(s).
Cash or major credit cards are accepted.
After the transaction is complete, the Denver Pop Culture Con representative will hand you your physical badges.
Since you already have your badges, you will not be required to go through the process of converting e-tickets to badges using the Flash Seats app.
You can proceed directly to the convention entry point you would like to enter first. If you are unsure where to go, ask one of the Denver Pop Culture Con representatives for help.
PICKING UP BADGES AT WILL CALL
The Will Call booth will be setup ONLY at Attendee Entrance #2.
Note that you MUST go through the entry line and bag/prop check process at Attendee Entrances #2 (as described in the “Getting In, Step-by-Step” section below) before you will be able to access the Will Call booth.
Once you have proceeded through the entry line and through the bag/prop check area, you will see a clearly marked AXS booth setup directly adjacent to the Onsite Purchase booths (only in Attendee Entrance #2 – aka, Lobby B).
Approach a Denver Pop Culture Con representative at the AXS booth (you may have to enter a line), show them your photo I.D., and they will hand you your badges.
You can proceed directly to the convention entry point you would like to enter first. If you are unsure where to go, ask one of the Denver Pop Culture Con representatives for help.
GETTING IN, STEP-BY-STEP
This section offers a step-by-step list is for people who have NOT picked up their badges early.
If you have or plan to pick up your badge early on Thursday, May 30, or you purchased your badges onsite, or you picked up your badges at Will Call, then you can simply skip step 6 below.
OK, here we go!
1) Find Onsite Denver Pop Culture Con Volunteers, They Are There to Help:
When you first arrive at the convention center, look for Denver Pop Culture Con volunteers who will be standing in multiple places around the convention center.
They will be wearing brightly colored t-shirts with “Volunteer” printed across the back. These volunteers are specially trained to help assist you and answer questions about getting into the Convention Center.
2) Open Your Map and Flash Seats App:
Open the Entry Map in a separate tab or window, or in the Denver Pop Culture Con 2019 Mobile app, so you can have it accessible for easy reference. Take out your phone and open your Flash Seats app, too.
3) Pick an Entrance:
You’ll see on the map that there are three Attendee Entrances. They all get you in. The only difference is that one might be busier when you arrive than the other.
Attendee Entrance #1 (aka, Lobby B) is located on the Welton Street side of the Convention Center, but note that it is tucked underneath the building next to a dedicated access road and covered parking area. This is the same place that registration has been located for several years in a row now.
Attendee Entrance #2 is located at 12th and Welton Street.
Attendee Entrance #3 (aka, Lobby F) is on the “Blue Bear Side” of the Convention Center, along 14th Street, across from the light rail station.
4) Get Into the Correct Entry Line:
There will be two lines to choose from at each Attendee Entrance.
If you are a Speed Pass holder, or have an ADA wrist band, then enter the Speed Pass/ADA Line. This line will naturally be FAR shorter than the other line, so you may have to ask a volunteer to help escort you to where the back of this line is.
If you are a standard badge holder, then enter the standard badge holder line. Please avoid making assumptions, taking guesses or asking other attendees where the end of this line is. If it is unclear, in any way, where the end of this line is when you arrive, ask a volunteer to show you specifically where to go.
5) Pass Through the Bag/Prop Check Areas:
As you progress through the line you entered, you will eventually reach the bag/prop check area. At this point security representatives will inspect your bag(s) and any prop(s) you may have brought.
If, for any reason, security decides that any item(s) in your bag(s) or prop(s) are in violation of the Denver Pop Culture Con 2019 Policies, you will not be permitted to proceed past this point.
If this happens, you will have two options:
- Discard the offending item(s) in the provided trash receptacles, which will allow you to proceed, or;
- Leave the line, return without the offending item(s), and re-enter at back of the line.
This policy/procedure will be strictly enforced and there will be no exceptions.
If you have any doubts about an item you’re bringing in, please leave it at home or in your vehicle/hotel room. These measures are in the interest of safety.
6) Exchange Your Flash Seats E-Tickets for Badges:
After passing through the bag/prop check area, it’s time to open your Flash Seats app, navigate to your e-tickets QR code, and prepare to have your e-tickets exchanged for physical badges.
If you don’t have (or choose not to use) the Flash Seats app, no worries. You can present the credit card you used to purchase your ticket(s) and the Denver Pop Culture Con representative will be able to look up your record and provide you with your badge(s). With Flash Seats, you may also register your driver’s license online at flashseats.com and use for entry into Denver Pop Culture Con.
Approach one of the Denver Pop Culture Con representatives with a handheld scanner and show them the QR code displayed on your phone. If you have any trouble finding your e-tickets or QR code, the Denver Pop Culture Con representatives will help.
The Denver Pop Culture Con representative will then scan the QR code (or ask for your credit card), verify your purchase, and then instruct one of the other Denver Pop Culture Con representatives to hand you your badges.
7) Proceed to Your Desired First Point of Entry:
After getting your badge(s), you have some options. The routes to the following areas will vary depending on which Attendee Entrance you chose.
If you want to enter any area OTHER than the show floor first, such as Celebrity Events or Panels, then follow signs (and ask volunteers to guide you) to the appropriate location.
If you want to enter the show floor first, then follow signs (and ask volunteers to guide you) to the show floor entry “Chutes Room”. “Chutes” is a term used by many conventions to designate multiple parallel queuing lines formed next to each other.
If the show floor is already open, you will be able to simply walk in directly to the show floor.
If the show floor has NOT opened yet, you will be instructed by Denver Pop Culture Con representatives to enter one of the chutes.
There will be one chute devoted to Speed Pass badge holders and ADA guests. All other chutes will be for standard badge holders.
When the show floor opens, ADA guests will be admitted first, then Speed Pass badge holders.
Then, attendees in each of the other chutes will be let in. Once all attendees in one chute have entered, attendees in the next chute will begin entering, then the next, and so on.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Need more details? The FAQ below will answer many of the questions we’re receiving the most.
But, if there is still something you need answered, please don’t hesitate to send email to info@popcultureclassroom.org. We’re here to help!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are Flash Seats?
Flash Seats is an ID-based digital ticketing system available through AXS that allows you to enter an event with any form of convenient digital ID, such as a credit card or a Mobile ID through the Flash Seats mobile app. This concept, similar to the e-ticket in the airline industry, allows you to manage your tickets via the Internet. It also gives you the ability to sell, buy, and transfer seats through a marketplace endorsed by your team or venue. If you’d like to learn more, here is the Flash Seats FAQ.
If I’ve Never Used Flash Seats Before, Do I Need to Sign-Up for a New Account?
Yes, if you have not previously created a Flash Seats account, you will need to download the mobile app (iOS or Android) and create a new user account. You can also create an account on the Flash Seats website at www.flashseats.com.
Do I Have to Use the Flash Seats Mobile App to Get My Badge?
No. Using the Flash Seats mobile app is the fastest and most convenient way to exchange your ticket(s) for your badge(s).
However, if you don’t have your phone with you, no worries. Present the credit card you used to purchase the ticket and the Denver Pop Culture Con representative will be able to look up your record and provide you with your badge(s). With Flash Seats, you may also register your driver’s license online at flashseats.com and use for entry into Denver Pop Culture Con.
Are My AXS and Flash Seats Username and Password the Same?
No, your log-in credentials for your Flash Seats account are separate from your AXS log-in credentials.
Can I Pick Up Badges for My Entire Group When I Pick Up My Own?
Yes, in fact, you MUST pick up all badges for your group if you purchased their tickets in the same order as your own. You simply follow the same process for picking up your own badge and the Denver Pop Culture Con Ticketing Representative will provide you with all badges you purchased. If you are unable to pick up badges for others in your party, you can transfer the digital Flash Seat ticket(s) from your account to their Flash Seats account. Then they will be able to pick up their own badge(s) at their convenience by following the same pickup process outlined above with their Flash Seats account.
Do I Have to Pick Up All of the Badges I Ordered with My Own Badge, or Can Each Person Pick Their Badge Up Separately?
Yes. You MUST pick up all badges for your group if you purchased their tickets in the same order as your own. You simply follow the same process for picking up your own badge and the Denver Pop Culture Con Ticketing Representative will provide you with all badges you purchased. To be clear, if you bought tickets using your account for other people, those people cannot pick up their tickets, only you can.
Can I Only Pick Up Some of the Badges I Ordered and Then Come Back Later for the Others?
No, you must pick up all the badges for your group at the same time.
If I Bought the Tickets, Can I Have Someone Else from My Group Pick Up the Badges?
No, only you as the person who purchased the ticket(s) may pick up your badge(s) using the Flash Seats mobile app or the credit card you used to purchase the ticket(s). If you are unable to pick up badges for others in your party, you can transfer the digital Flash Seat ticket(s) from your account to their Flash Seats account. Then they will be able to pick up their own badge(s) at their convenience by following the same pickup process outlined above with their Flash Seats account. For more information on this visit the full FAQ on the Flash Seats website linked HERE.
Can Anyone Who’s Purchased a Ticket Pickup Their Badge(s) Early?
Yes. Anyone who has purchased a ticket, and has those tickets showing in their Flash Seats app/account, can participate in early badge pickup.
What If I Lose My Badge Before (or After) I Arrive and Enter the Con?
If you lose your badge(s) before the con begins, contact ticketing@popcultureclassroom.org immediately. If you lose your badge(s) during the con, visit one of the show entry points and speak to a ticketing representative.
What Do I Do, Exactly, If I Want to Pick Up My Badges Early?
Visit Lower Lobby F (enter to the right of the Blue Bear) of the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, May 30th, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Walk up to one of the ticketing representatives, open the Flash Seats app on your mobile device, show them the QR code for your tickets, and they will hand you your badges.
NOTE: If you don’t have your phone with you, no worries. Present the credit card you used to purchase the ticket and the Denver Pop Culture Con representative will be able to look up your record and provide you with your badge(s). With Flash Seats, you may also register your driver’s license online at flashseats.com and use for entry into Denver Pop Culture Con.
I Purchased the Tickets, Can I Send Someone Else to Pick Up My Badges for Me?
Under normal circumstances, no. The ticketing representatives will only give badges to the person who has the tickets showing in their Flash Seats app (or who, by presenting a photo ID or credit card, proves they are the ticket purchaser).
Flash Seats does have an advanced feature that allows you to transfer tickets to another person’s Flash Seats account, which would then allow them to pick up the badges for you. For further information on that feature, visit the Flash Seats FAQ page on their website HERE.
What Are My Options If I Don’t Pick Up My Badge Early?
If you do not pick up your badges early you will need to go through the standard badge exchange process on the first day you visit the show.
The post Getting Into Denver Pop Culture Con: The Definitive Guide appeared first on Denver Pop Culture Con 2019.
