Brickvention 2023 Information Manual
Welcome to Brickvention 2023! Thanks for joining us and helping to make this great event possible. This page contains most of the information you need to know about Brickvention. Please read all of the General Information as well as the section specific to you. Even if you have attended before, there is new and updated information for this year.
Still have questions? Exhibitors – visit the Facebook group. Vendors and Volunteers – please email your Brickventures contact person.
Last updated: 17 Jan 2023
Jump to section: General, Exhibitors, Vendors, Volunteers/Cosplayers
General Information
Brickvention 2023 will be held at the Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson St, Carlton.
Bump In: Thursday 19th January, 11am – 9pm
Convention Day: Friday 20th January, 9am – 5pm (exhibitor/vendor access from 8am, registration from 8.30am)
Public Expo Days: Saturday 21st January, 9am – 5pm and Sunday 22nd January, 9am – 4pm (exhibitor/vendor access from 8am)
Bump Out: Sunday from 4.30pm
There will be no parking available at the Royal Exhibition Building for any participants or visitors, including disabled parking. There will be no parking for trailers or vans, please pre arrange alternate parking if you are bringing large vehicles or trailers.
The closest event parking is at the Melbourne Museum. Please see their website for details and bookings. On Thursday and Friday your parking ticket can be validated by Brickvention officials to receive the flat daily rate of $TBA.
Parking during the event is not provided by Brickventures Inc.
Public Transport options include:
Tram route 86 or tram route 96 to corner of Nicholson and Gertrude Streets
Free City Circle Tram to Victoria Parade
City loop train to Parliament Station
Bus routes 250, 251 and 402 to Rathdowne Street
Making a trip to the city? Take a V/Line train
Plan your trip using PTV’s Journey Planner.
All participants will be required to complete the Royal Exhibition Building Online Induction package, and you must be able to provide evidence of completion to REB staff at any time across the weekend. If you are unable, you will be required to leave the venue until it is completed.
Click here to access the Museums Victoria Induction Platform
When you sign up, select “Event Exhibitor & Event Contractor Induction – Museum Spaces:
On the next screen, select “Royal Exhibition Building – Exhibitor Induction (Events) and click the Start button.
Once you have successfully completed the induction, you can download or take a screen shot of the completion certificate. It will also be emailed to the email address you registered with. You must keep a copy of the certificate with you at all times while exhibiting in the REB.
Note that if you have completed the induction in previous years and still remember your login, you can use this and you will be prompted to renew your induction.
There will be no food/drink sellers inside the Royal Exhibition Building at Brickvention 2023.
Thursday and Friday you can visit the Garden View Cafe on Nicholson St as you head towards Victoria Pde. Here’s a Google Map search for other cafe’s in the area too.
On Friday (Convention Day) there will be a 1 hour lunch break with no convention programming to allow you to go out for food.
Saturday and Sunday there will be food available for purchase just outside the REB. More information on these options will be provided as soon as we can.
Your MOC and anything else you need for the weekend! In addition:
– If you have a Brickvention lanyard from a previous year, please bring it along. You will receive a new ID card for Brickvention 2023.
– If you need a trolley or similar to move equipment please bring one along as we can’t guarantee availability of such items at the venue.
CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 17 ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE REB DURING BUMP IN AND BUMP OUT.
This is a requirement of the Royal Exhibition Building that we are unable to change.
Safety vests and closed toe shoes must be worn at all times during bump in and out. Please ensure you have these.
Bump in commences on the Thursday morning and must be completed by 9pm Thursday night. See specific information in sections below.
Use the interactive exhibition map (link to be provided) to locate your display area.
Once you have unloaded, you must park your car before returning to the building. Enter through the main entrance to complete check in and registration
CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 17 ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE REB DURING BUMP IN AND BUMP OUT.
This is a requirement of the Royal Exhibition Building that we are unable to change.
Safety vests and closed toe shoes must be worn at all times during bump in and out. Please ensure you have these.
Bump Out commences at 4.30pm on the Sunday after the exhibition is closed and a group photograph is taken. No person may start packing up or moving out before this time.
Once you have packed up, you may move your vehicle to the designated loading area and load up. Please ensure your MOCs are packed up before moving your vehicle to the loading area.
You are not permitted to move displays or equipment outside of official bump in or out times. This is to ensure the health and safety of all Brickvention staff, volunteers and participants.
All stalls and displays and must be installed by close of Bump In on Thursday night.
You are permitted to bring in and out items you can carry on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but this can only be done prior to the start of the days activities at 9.00am. Under no circumstances are you permitted to park and unload on these days outside of the loading docks or the outdoor carpark.
Participants are expected to act in a manner that will not negatively impact on the reputation of Brickventures Inc or Brickvention. This includes that you:
• will act in a professional manner at all times.
• will not, by act or omission, act in a way that places the health, safety and welfare at risk of any Brickvention organiser, volunteer, participant, contractor or patron.
• will act in a manner that is respectful regardless of patrons age, gender, disability and/or impairment, sexual orientation, religious belief or activity, etc.
• will not use foul language.
• will not abuse or use bullying type behaviours towards others.
• will not purposefully damage the venue or provided equipment.
• will leave the venue in a reasonable and tidy condition.
Security guards staff the entrance and exit and they roam the event to minimise risk. Participants are responsible for the security of their displays, equipment and any personal belongings. The venue has security outside of event hours to minimise risk.
The participant lounge is located in the north west corner of the REB, behind the vendors on the museum side.
Power will be made available for charging phones but please bring your own charger and ONLY plug in to designated power boards.
During the Brickvention weekend, weather conditions can be unpredictable. Please ensure you take care of your body over the Brickvention weekend. This includes staying hydrated, taking regular breaks, maintaining high standards of personal hygiene commensurate with a public facing role and showing off your fabulous smiles.
All exhibitors, vendors, volunteers and attendees are encouraged to share Brickvention with their friends, families and networks in the lead up to the event, and during the event via social media. Share your updates and Brickvention adventures using the #Brickvention and #Brickvention20xx hashtags on Facebook and Instagram.
Brickvention 2023 Facebook Event
Brickvention 2023 has an official event on Facebook for you to RSVP to and share amongst your friends. Please do!
Brickvention on Instagram
Brickvention is on Instagram too! Tag us, @brickvention in your stories and posts about Brickvention.
Brickvention Posters and Flyers
A Brickvention poster is available for you to print and share with your local community. Perhaps there is a cafe you love, or a library close by that you feel would love to know about Brickvention. Print a poster and share it with them!
Special Needs Session
Sunday 22nd January 2022 at 9.00am
Brickventures is very excited to highlight the Special Needs Session which will be operated at Brickvention 2023.
This session is designed for people with special needs including those impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders. The session environment includes low volume and less frequent announcements and fewer people. The session is also longer at 40 minutes.
Please note that 20 minute entry times recommence at 9:40am. The number of people and noise will increase steadily from that time.
Fundraising
Every year Brickvention supports different organisations when fundraising.
All exhibitors, convention attendees, and volunteers are invited to attend special events over the course of the Brickvention weekend.
These include:
Trivia Night – Friday, 6pm at the Royal Exhibition Building
A fun and fabulous event for all Exhibitors and Volunteers on Friday night. Join Quiz Master Travis for a LEGO inspired evening of challenges, laughter and prizes! Sponsored by MUGs, entry cost is a gold coin donation which also enters you into the raffle.
Convention Dinner – Saturday, 7pm at the Old Melbourne Gaol
Enjoy a visit to a Melbourne icon a short distance from the REB including 3 course dinner, drink vouchers and more. Limited tickets available.
Dirty Brickster – Friday (during Convention Day)
Dirty Brickster is a kind of white elephant gift exchange game and is somewhat similar to how some people do Kris Kringle. Dirty Brickster is a game for Exhibitors and Convention Attendees only.
More information on all these events will be provided via email before the event.
The schedule of events for Brickvention 2023 is now available at https://www.brickvention.melbourne/convention-day-2023/
Exhibitor Information
It is expected that you comply with the terms and conditions you agreed to in your agreement with Brickventures Inc. This includes the following:
Advertising by exhibitors is not permitted at Brickvention unless permission is granted by Brickventures Inc prior to the event in writing.
Exhibitors are only permitted to operate within the bounds of their allocated table space and must seek the permission of Brickventures Inc if wishing to operate outside of those boundaries. This includes Technic, Power Functions, and Boost vehicles / builds.
CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 17 ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE REB DURING BUMP IN AND BUMP OUT.
This is a requirement of the Royal Exhibition Building that we are unable to change.
Safety vests and closed toe shoes must be worn at all times during bump in and out. Please ensure you have these.
PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE PRIOR TO YOUR LISTED BUMP IN TIME. Access to the building is staggered to avoid traffic congestion.
9am: MLTC via Rathdowne St Entrance
11am: Other Exhibitors via Nicholson St Entrance.
Once you have unloaded, you must park your car before returning to the building. The exhibitor registration desk will be open from 11am – 7pm Thursday. You don’t need to register before starting to bump in, just visit the registration desk during this time frame to collect your exhibitor bag and ID. Please ensure you do register on Thursday though as you’ll need your exhibitor ID for access on Friday and everything is packed away at the end of bump in.
Bump in finishes at 9pm sharp (we need our sleep!)
ALL EXHIBITS MUST BE BUMPED IN AND SET UP COMPLETED ON THURSDAY.
Convention Day on Friday is open to the public and it is expected that displays are complete and, where possible, displays with movement/light are operating on Friday.
CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 17 ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE REB DURING BUMP IN AND BUMP OUT.
This is a requirement of the Royal Exhibition Building that we are unable to change.
Safety vests and closed toe shoes must be worn at all times during bump in and out. Please ensure you have these.
No display or equipment may be packed up or moved out prior to 4.30pm on Sunday.
Exhibits must be packed up prior to moving your vehicle to a designated loading area.
All power requirements must have been listed on your application. We are unable to add power to your display if it was not requested in the initial application.
All electrical equipment including leads, transformers, lights, etc must be tested and have a current electrical test tag on it.
We encourage you to have your electrical equipment tested and tagged prior to the event. However, Brickventures Inc will provide a testing station on the Thursday Bump In. This is staffed by a Brickventures Inc contracted qualified electrician.
The electrician is responsible for all electrical connections to power points. Only the electrician can plug anything into any power point at the venue.
The electrician will be onsite on Thursday bump in between 12 – 4pm. He will also be present during bump out on Sunday night. Please note, we cannot give exact times of when power will be switched on.
Exhibitors have been allocated a location in the venue. This includes the requested number of tables as per your agreement. The position allocated to your display is final and in line with building safety requirements.
No general displays will have bollards. These are used only to manage high crowd areas and will be supplied and installed by Brickventures Inc.
All Brickvention tables are 240cm x 75cm and are covered by a Brickventures supplied tablecloth that covers the entire table to the floor. All boxes and excess packaging must be stored under the tables and the cloths have a part in them to accommodate this.
No items (posters, banners, etc) are allowed to be stuck to the tablecloths, walls, floors or any part of the venue. No tape is to be stuck to the floor without prior discussion and consent of Brickventures Inc and where permission is granted the specified tape must be used.
At the conclusion of the event, Brickventures Inc will be charged for any damage sustained to the venue during the event (eg. Scratches or chips on walls, floors, etc). Therefore, we request all due care is taken by you and your representatives across your participation in the event. Where deemed appropriate, costs may be passed to the person responsible for the damage made.
Each exhibitor is issued with one convention tshirt which is recommended attire for at least one day of the public exhibition. Often individuals choose to wear these shirts for both days of the public expo. To ensure your shirt is presentable and of a high standard, we recommend caring for your tshirt overnight.
A limited number of additional shirts will be available for purchase at the event should you wish to have a clean shirt to change into. These can be purchased from the Brickvention Merchandise Stand.
In 2023 we are introducing the Brickvention LEGO MOC Card Holder.Every exhibitor will receive a kit to build their own MOC card holder. You can come prepared if you like to decorate it any way you’d like, or just leave it in classic white. An example is pictured below. If you need more than one we have the link here for you to build out of parts from home before the event. The kit you receive in the exhibitor bag is yours to keep.
Link to MOC Card Holder Instructions
Feel free to decorate your MOC card holder to suit your build, or leave it plain.
Below are the links to download the MOC Card for 2023 – please ensure you download the correct one. If you belong to the GBC or one of the trains groups, download that one, otherwise use the General one. You can open the PDF, click under the MOC name and Exhibitor name to type in your details. When you print, be sure to set your printer to scale the print at 100%
Link to Brickvention 2023 MOC Card – General, GBC, Trains
Always ensure your display is labelled with a MOC (My Own Creation) Card (other- wise known as a Model Info Card) so people know who is responsible for the build. A copy of the MOC Info Card is linked below, and is usually posted in the Brickvention Exhibitors Facebook Group. It is a PDF document – open it and type in the details required, then print in colour if possible. Brickvention will supply a stand for you to place this card in. Printing for MOC Cards will not be available during Brickvention so please have it printed and with you when you arrive.
If you have a group or collection of models that make a scene or display, only use one card for the whole layout/display and not for every single item. For example: a group of spaceships by the same person could be called “The Galactic Armada” rather than naming each ship. This request is to prevent your display looking cluttered with Exhibit Info Cards which may detract from the actual models and to be eligible for a Brickvention Prize.
Stage your display
Try not to put too much on your display. If possible, link items together in a diorama rather than it just being a display of models. Make sure there is plenty of space between each model/diorama. Don’t try to fill every bit of your table with lots of models. If you put too much on your display, it will be difficult to focus on the detail of each model.
Build UP not out
If possible, give your display some height so it is visually appealing. This might be via a mountain side if building a landscape or via some form of small plinth or stand if displaying individual models. There are many ways this can be achieved and it will make your display stand out and draw the attention away from those that are all the same height.
Ditch the dust
Make sure your exhibit is clean dust free. People will notice dust. A paint brush or make up brush are good dusting tools. Try to do this before you get to the venue.
Display Code
Ensure your display looks tidy throughout the weekend. Food, Water bottles, coffee cups and drink cans should not be placed on display tables. Check your display every few hours to see if anything has fallen over or needs repairing etc. Although most patrons are usually pretty good, it is easy to bump a table and disrupt a display.
Sticky fingers
If you are worried about a particular minifig being on your display because it is valuable, please don’t display it without correct supervision. You are responsible for your models at all times.
Don’t get too close to the edge
Where possible, avoid placing items close to the edge of your display. Models too close to the edge of tables are at risk of being bumped and or broken by passing patrons.
Display tables
Display tables are there for your MOCs. They are not to be used for building, sorting or working during the Public Expo days.
Transportation of MOCs
When transporting exhibits, make sure they are securely packed in a strong box. Custom made boxes often work best with large exhibits. We recommend the use of plastic wrap (glad wrap or specialised postal/pallet wrap) to hold the model together and bubblewrap to avoid bumps in transit. It also helps to place smaller models in individual ziplock bags. Do not trust that a model will survive in the back seat of your car or an ordinary suitcase.
For larger exhibits, we recommend modularising the build so it is easier to transport.
Voting and Prize Eligibility
Voting is back in 2023 – and you could win some awesome prizes!
To be eligible for a Brickvention prize, you must have a correctly filled in and displayed MOC Card at your model. This MOC Card will provide the AFOL community and public with information about your display for voting on Convention Day and the Public Expo Days. Voting will be opened on the Convention Day by the Brickventures Inc Committee.
Please ensure you use your registered display name. We will remind you of this when Model Info Card (MOC) details are sent in December.
Vendor Information
It is expected that you comply with the terms and conditions you agreed to in your agreement with Brickventures Inc. This includes the following:
Only LEGO and LEGO related merchandise is to be sold/displayed at Brickvention unless permission is granted by Brickventures Inc.
Vendors do not obtain any right or title to any intellectual property of Brickventures (including Brickvention). Any use, reproduction and/or storage of any Brickventures’ intellectual property, including its name and logo, requires prior written agreement of Brickventures.
Advertising by Vendors is not permitted at Brickvention unless prior written permission is granted by Brickventures Inc. The only exclusion to this is the contact details of your business including name, address, phone, website and email address and business logo.
Vendors are only permitted to operate within the bounds of their allocated space and must seek the permission of Brickventures Inc if wishing to operate outside of those boundaries.
Banners, visuals and the use of sound must not invade the space of fellow Vendors.
Vendors are not entitled to the convention show bag or to participate in any convention activities unless otherwise specified. If you wish to exhibit or be a convention participant, you will need to register as an exhibitor or a convention member.
Vendors must be present and have enough stock during the allocated times on the convention day and for the duration of the public event days. Vendors are required to pay any additional cost that Brickventures Inc may incur due to damage (eg. scratches to flooring, chips in the wall) as a result of the Vendor conducting their business.
The Vendor/Displayer understands that if products or services not detailed on the original application are sold or provided through trading at Brickvention, that Brickventures Inc reserves the right to close trading and request you leave the site.
Any failure to comply with the above terms and conditions may result in exclusion from participation in future Brickventures Inc events.
Brickventures Inc reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time.
CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 17 ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE REB DURING BUMP IN AND BUMP OUT.
This is a requirement of the Royal Exhibition Building that we are unable to change.
PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE PRIOR TO YOUR LISTED BUMP IN TIME. Access to the building is staggered to avoid traffic congestion.
Vendors bump in via the Rathdowne St entrance.
Large vendors may bump in from 9am Thursday 19th January.
Small vendors may bump in from 11am Thursday 19th January.
Once you have unloaded, you must park your car before returning to the building. Enter through the main entrance to complete check in and registration.
Bump Out may not commence prior to 4.30pm Sunday 22nd January.
Volunteer Information
Thanks for volunteering at Brickvention 2023 – our event is 100% organised and run by volunteers and we couldn’t do it without you!
Enter via the main Brickvention entrance. When you arrive, please notify door staff who will direct you to the sign in location. For all times attending you will need to sign in and out and collect / return your lanyard.
T-shirts
If you have previously volunteered with Brickvention and have a volunteer t-shirt, please wear it again. If you are new to volunteering with us we will supply you with one when you register.
Volunteer Lounge
All Volunteers may access the Exhibitor Lounge (which is in the north west corner of the REB) on Saturday and Sunday. Please ensure that you leave all areas in a clean and tidy state at all times.
Thank you again for volunteering at Brickvention!
Cosplayer Lounge
The cosplayer lounge is located in the board room, . Bottled water will be provided for convenience.
Raising Money
By participating in Brickvention you are helping run a spectacular event. Your contribution at Brickvention not only brings joy to thousands of families, but you also help raise funds for the nominated charities of Brickvention 2023.