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 guide to the two-day marine festival and information to prepare for the event.

Prior to the festival, Antoinette Saylor, or a member of our exhibitors’ team, will reach out with your space numbers.

On festival day, if assistance is needed, please TEXT the Exhibitor Team: Antoinette Saylor or Chris Thomas. You may also visit the Volunteer Check-In Booth to ask for assistance. Service is spotty at Custom House Plaza, so allow some time for a response. If you do not hear back within an hour, please visit the Volunteer Booth.

Complete your Exhibitor File below or by email sent by our Exhibitor Team.

The Perfect Fit Exhibitor

Whalefest centers on providing engaging, marine‑oriented, interactive experiences and dynamic science that highlight the incredible work of our ocean‑focused partners and the organizations who protect it.

Exhibitors must offer marine-oriented booths and interactive experiences

Details

Date: Saturday & Sunday, April 10th & 11th 2027

Where: Custom House Plaza & Monterey Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA 93940

Questions: See FAQ

Registration 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.

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. Please do not pack up before 5:00pm

CANCELLATION

Please email WhalefestMonterey@gmail.com as soon as possible. We ask that cancellations be made in advance unless due to an emergency or a marine duty calls.

WATER FILL STATION

Locations:‍ ‍Surfrider Monterey booth & Volunteer booth. Bring a water bottle.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Locations:‍ ‍Surfrider Monterey booth

Exhibitor Agreement & Requirements

AGREEMENT

Exhibitor Agreement & Package will be sent via email once you enroll. If you are unable to locate it, email a request to WhalefestMonterey@gmail.com

REQUIREMENT:

Exhibitors must be educational, marine science, or interactive and provide engaging, marine‑oriented interactive experiences. Subject matter must be marine, science, or environment-focused and fall within one of the following:

  • Marine-oriented education

  • Marine Science

  • Monterey History

  • Marine Art

  • Environmental Sustainability

    Exhibitors must be non-commercial and are not permitted to sell goods or services.

SOCIAL MEDIA REQUEST:

PLEASE SHARE WHALEFEST ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA & NETWORK. Exhibitors receive a booth for FREE for 2-days. In exchange, we graciously ask exhibitors to share our Flyer, promotional materials, social media tags, and promote the Whalefest Festival. See marketing below.

TENT REQUEST:

Requirements will be listed in our Agreement. Below are the basics to help you prepare.

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.

See FAQ below
Questions? Emails Us

Complete Exhibitor File

STEP 1: Complete Exhibitor 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, the following is required prior to approval:

Collecting Donations & Sales

Can a Non-Profit Exhibitor Collect Donations?

YES! Exhibitors may provide an attractive receptacle for donations to their own marine nonprofit or their favorite marine nonprofit.

Can Exhibitors Sell Merchandise or Services?

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’t be exchanged at the festival. This is a violation of our permit with State Parks. No merchandise sales, regardlesss if Exhibitors have reseller or seller permits.

See FAQ below for more questions

Marketing

ATTN EXHIBITORS: PLEASE SHARE WHALEFEST on your Social Media & Network

As part of your free enrollment as an Exhibitor, we ask that all exhibitors HELP us PROMOTE the festival. TOGETHER we can reach more love for the Monterey Bay

FAVOR! Please share Whalefest Monterey on all your social and networking platforms.

  • Ad Sponsor

  • Email Network

  • Newsletters

  • Social Media Platforms

  • Social Network

  • Website

Graphic to Social Media (2027 coming)
Graphic for Newsletters or Website (2027 coming)

SAMPLES ONLY 2027 COMING

Checklist

Flyer

Schedules

Checklist (2027 coming)
Flyer (2027 coming)
Music Schedule (2027 coming)
Symposium Schedule (2027 coming)

Booth Space Number

Check back 24 hours before the festival.

SAMPLE ONLY. Reach out to Antoinette Saylor or a member of the Exhibitor Team.

Email Us
areal map over custom house paza with sample layout of tents

SAMPLE

Custom House Plaza Guidelines

  • 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.

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.

Restroom

  • 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 / Monterey Museum of History & Art building

  • Casa del Oro Garden (via Pacific St or Custom House Plaza, on Scott)

Musicians & Performances: Nearest restrooms:

  • Stanton Center / Monterey Museum of History & Art building

  • 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

 
Directions

Have friends who want to help, volunteer, or sponsor?

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 ->

  • Not at this time.

  • A: Exhibitor may provide an attractive receptacle for donations to their own marine nonprofit or their favorite marine nonprofit.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Not drinking or open containers, smoking, music, non family friendly signs or material.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    • 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.

  • No. Exhibitors must have own volunteers or team.