Exhibitor Portal
Thanks for being a part of 2027 Whalefest Monterey
WELCOME EXHIBITORS
A Big Whale of a Hello to all Exhibitors! We are excited to have you as part of the 17th Annual Whalefest Monterey on the stunning Monterey Bay. This Exhibitor Portal is your full guide to the two-day marine festival and the information needed to prepare for the event.
Prior to the festival, Antoinette Saylor, or a member of our exhibitors’ team, will reach out for space numbers.
On festival day, if assitance is needed, please TEXT Antoinette Saylor at (831) ____-_______ or visit to the Volunteer Check-In Booth to ask for assistance. Service is spotty at Custom House Plaza, so allow some time for a response.
Details
Date: Saturday & Sunday, April 8th & 9th 2027
Where: Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA
Questions: See FAQ
Register Deadline: By March 1st.
Weather Policy: Rain or Shine
BOOTH REQUIREMENTS
Booth Size: 10 × 10, see FAQ below.
Sand Bags: 20 lbs on each leg required. Must be proper sandbags or weights. No buckets, water jugs, containers, trash bags, or tied to other booths.
Tent Walls: Accepted so long as not obstructing other booths, path, or visibility into the booth.
Selling Permitted: No sorry. No merchandise sales regardlesss if Exhibitors has reseller or seller permits.
WATER FILL STATION
Locations: Surfrider Monterey booth & Volunteer booth
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Locations: Surfrider Monterey booth
HOURS
Festival Hours: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Set Up: 8:00 am - 9:45 am. Must be ready by 10am.
Breakdown: 5:00 - 6:45pm. All items and vehicles MUST be removed from the plaza by 7pm.
CANCELLATION
Please email WhalefestMonterey@gmail.com as soon as possible. We ask that cancellations be made far in advance unless due to an emergency or a marine duty calls.
Have friends who want to help, volunteer, or sponsor?
Booth Space Number
Check back 24 hours before the festival
SAMPLE ONLY
Complete Exhibitor File
STEP 1: CompleteExhibitor Enrollment
STEP 2: Upload verifications. All files must be complete before a booth space can be guaranteed.
STEP 3: Await confirmation by email. You may email us at the email address below if you do not hear back within 3-5 business days.
STEP 4: Check this portal often. All details will be here.
STEP 5: Space numbers will be assigned 1-2 days prior to the festival date - watch your emails. Exhibitors will have the same space number and location on both days. Remember your spot.
All information is confidential. Whalefest will not share information outside of any items required by State Parks for identification and insurance purposes.
If trouble uploading verifications, email to WhalefestMonterey@gmail.com
Please send all items in one email when possible.
Business License: Verification to do business in California.
Driver’s License or ID: Identification of primary booth operator and emergency contact. We must provide full name to State Parks.
General Liability Insurance: Whalefest Monterey is not responsible for any lost, damage, or claims for reimbursement. Exhibitor must be insured to do business on City or State property.
ATTN First Time Exhibitors, we need the following upon approval:
Marketing
Please share Whalefest Monterey on all your social and networking platforms.
Ad Sponsor
Email Network
Newsletters
Social Media Platforms
Social Network
Website
Checklist
Flyer
Schedules
Rule, Regulation & Exhibitor Agreement
Exhibitor Agreement & Package is sent via email. If you are unable to locate, please email WhalefestMonterey@gmail.com
Parking Lots & Locations
Marina front parking, 4 lots
Wharf #2 on pier
Heritage Harbor Parking Lot, on Pacific above the wharf
Portola Plaza Parking Garage, 1 lot
Parking garage across from the Sports Center, 2 lots
🚙 PAID PARKING: Parking lots are Paid Parking.
🚙 STREET PARKING: Street parking is timed to 1-2 hours. No free long-term parking is available.
🎣 TIP: If the festival falls on Salmon Sport Fishing opening weekend, parking will fill up fast early morning at Marina and Wharf parking lots.
🎒 VALUABLES: Do not leave in the car or unattended at the booth. Whalefest is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Custom House Plaza
Unloading Entrance: Enter on Scott Street. Look for Whalefest sign. Follow the green path. Volunteer or State Parks will have the entrance open.
Vehicles: Passenger vehicles only. No large vans or trailers.
Guide to Plaza: Wait for a volunteer to guide you in.
Safety: On historic state ground. Please drive with caution, drive slowly, and watch for pedestrians.
Restroom Locations
Near Rock Fish Grill/Abalone Races, end or wharf left side
Near Casa de Oro, behind Memory Garden
Stanton Center, at Monterey History & Art Museum
Exhibitors at Custom House Plaza: Nearest restrooms:
Stanton Center
Casa del Oro Garden (via Pacific St or Custom House Plaza, on Scott)
Musicians & Performances: Nearest restrooms:
Stanton
End of Wharf
Find Us
If you have questions on the day of the festival, look for the Volunteer Check-in Booth
Monterey Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Custom House Plaza
Monterey Museum of History & Art, Stanton Center on Custom House Plaza
1 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA 93940
Exhibitor Frequently Asked Questions
Dozens of local and national nonprofits that are focused on marine science, sustainability, and environmental education. Learn more on our FAQ ->
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Not at this time.
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A: Exhibitor may provide an attractive receptacle for donations to their own marine nonprofit or their favorite marine nonprofit.
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A: Details are available on the “Sponsors” and “Exhibitors” pages, including contact info and application forms.
LEARN MORE:
🌐Become an exhibitor: https://whalefest.org/become-an-exhibitor
🌐See past year’s Exhibitors: https://whalefest.org/exhibitors
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A: Exhibit must be educational or interactive.
Subject matter should be one of the following:
Marine-oriented
Monterey History
Environmental sustainability
Marine Art
Exhibitors must be non-commercial and are not permitted to sell goods or services.
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Exhibitor understand that photographs or videos may be taken during the Whalefest Monterey event, at Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Custom House Plaza, and Stanton Center at Monterey Museum of History & Art. By entering these locations or participating in any Whalefest Monterey event-related activities, you hereby grant Whalefest Monterey permission to use your likeness for educational, promotional, and/or fundraising purposes, including but not limited to social media posts, website promotions, advertisements, and/or print media.
To be removed from our Gallery, please email WhalefestMonterey@tmail.com with a screenshot of the photo requesting removal. Please allow time for request to process.
We do not provide photos of the event to exhibitors, however, you are welcome to save and save whatever is posted online, our social, or on our website. Please give credit to photo taker when sharing. Please do not use our photos for your organizations personal marking without prior permission.
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Not drinking or open containers, smoking, music, non family friendly signs or material.
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No. Exhibitors are not permitted to sell during the festival. Exhibitors are encouraged to share their website or social platforms where customers can purchase.
You may collect donations, however, merchandise can not be changed at the festival, which is a violation of our permit with State Parks.
No merchandise sales regardlesss if Exhibitors has reseller or seller permits.
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Yes. Exhibitors must pack up booth at the end of each day. Do not leave valuables or any items. If you need to leave your tent overnight, please inquire first.
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10x 10 space only.
Exhibitor must provide their own tent/coverage as protection from the elements.
Must have straps and sand bags for wind management.
See full terms on Exhibitors Agreement.
No vehicles or trails on plaza during festival.
Sand Bags: 20 lbs on each leg required. Must be proper sandbags or weights. No buckets, water jugs, containers, trash bags, or tied to other booths.
Tent Walls: Accepted so long as not obstructing other booths, path, or visibility into the booth.
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No. Exhibitors must have own volunteers or team.