2026 Modern Craft Market Maker Portal
Scroll to review the contents of the portal or use the buttons below for quickly reference specific information.
Load-In Instructions & Booth Maps
Load-In Map & Photos
Maker FAQs
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No. This load-in time is for everyone, even if you want to unload by parking and transporting your items through the main Convention Center entrance. While you may be able to arrive a little after 2 PM for load-in and still have time for set-up, we recommend being on-site by 2 PM at the latest. You will still be assigned a load-in time between 10 AM and 2 PM regardless of if you plan to load-in via the loading dock.
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You are more than welcome to park and use your own cart to load in from the front doors of the Convention Center. Elevators are available for use.
Load-In Questions
Booth Questions
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No. Please contact us ASAP at makers@handmadearcade.org so we can help you with this. Sometime in late February/March, all makers will receive a list to approve that we have the correct electricity needs reflected to send to the Convention Center. After that list is circulated and confirmed, you might be able it on the day of load-in, but we can’t make any guarantees at that time as it depends on what the Convention Center team has available.
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Yes, every booth has the ability to have electricity.
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The Convention Center is a green building that uses a lot of natural lighting. Unfortunately, this means that some parts of the hall will be darker than others, and the lighting is out of our control as organizers. We recommend bringing your own lighting for your booth in case you’re in a darker area of the hall.
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Maker can choose if they would like provided Pipe and Drape or to bring their own setup. Skirted table, two folding chairs, and a booth ID sign are provided.
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No. As long as your signage fits in your space, there are no height restrictions. Height is great for attracting attention from shoppers.
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Yes, your booth will be back-to-back with other makers. We will work with the Convention Center team to try to leave a small bit of space between the back of each row for more ease of movement, but it depends on what is possible within the space, fire codes, etc. as we work with the Convention Center on the final layout.
2026 Full Event Schedule
Friday, March 27
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Makers will be assigned a 30-minute arrival window between 10 AM - 2 PM for load-in arrival. Assigned load-in times will be provided in February.
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This will be an upbeat shopping session that serves as a fundraising opportunity for Handmade Arcade. There will be special food and drink options for sale as well as special entertainment.
Saturday, March 28
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Makers must return to the Convention Center by 8:30 AM at the latest.
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This will be an upbeat, fast-paced shopping session that serves as a fundraising opportunity for Handmade Arcade. It will be filled with fans of Handmade Arcade who come ready to shop quickly before the rest of the crowds come in.
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This is the window for general shopping. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, and free tickets are available for those who need them. We stagger the shopper arrival times throughout the day in an effort to spread out the crowds and reduce parking and traffic around the Convention Center.
Sunday, March 29
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Makers must return to the Convention Center by 9:30 AM at the latest.
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This will be a more quiet shopping session with no music playing.
This shopping time will be for pay-what-you-can ticketing with limited attendees to allow for a more quiet shopping experience.
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This is the window for general shopping. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, and free tickets are available for those who need them. We stagger the shopper arrival times throughout the day in an effort to spread out the crowds and reduce parking and traffic around the Convention Center.
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Makers must keep their products up at their booths until 6:00 PM. Detailed load-out instructions will be provided closer to the market.
Important Links
Event Accessibility Information
Includes information about accessibility at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Convention Center WIFI
There is no free internet at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
You can sign up for WIFI once you are in the DLCC halls by opening your web browser.
There will be daily WIFI rates (likely discounted) provided by the DLCC closer to the event.
Most makers use data plans on their phones for WIFI to take credit card sales.
Makers can also borrow free WIFI hotspots from local libraries.
Hotel Accommodations & Parking
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We have secured the following discounted hotel rates for makers from Thursday, March 26- Saturday, March 28. Review the rates below and use the booking link to get the discounted rate. Please pay close attention to the booking cut-off date to ensure you can get the discounted rates. Some nights may book quickly, so we recommend booking early.
1) Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Rate: $109 per night
Location: 600 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Distance from the Convention Center: 0.7 miles/16-minute walk (mostly flat terrain)
Booking Link: https://book.passkey.com/go/handmadearcade2026
Booking Cut-Off Date: February 25, 2026
2) Drury Hotel Pittsburgh
Rate: $179 per night
Location: 745 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Distance from the Convention Center: 0.3 miles/6-minute walk (mostly flat terrain)
Booking Link: www.druryhotels.com
Group Number: 10174148
Booking Cut-Off Date: February 27, 2026
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Parking recommendations near the David L. Lawrence Convention Center:
Grant Street Transportation Center Rates & Info (two blocks/six-minute walk)
Smithfield & Liberty Garage Rates & Info (four blocks/eight-minute walk)
Convention Center Parking Garage Rates & Info (Space is limited at this garage, so we try to reserve these spaces for attendees. Please feel free to use this garage if you have accessibility needs.)
Parking recommendations for vans & tall vehicles:
Eleventh and Smallman Lot (Outdoor lot located across from the AC Hotel, point three miles/ eight minute walk, mostly flat.)
Use the ParkPGH website or app for real-time parking availability & info.
Booth Types & Sizes
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Booth includes back and side pipe and drape, skirted table, two folding chairs, and a booth ID sign
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Booth includes back and side pipe and drape, skirted table, two folding chairs, and a booth ID sign
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Booth includes back and side pipe and drape, skirted table, two folding chairs, and a booth ID sign
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Booth includes back and side pipe and drape, skirted table, two folding chairs, and a booth ID sign
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Booth includes back and side pipe and drape, skirted table, two folding chairs, and a booth ID sign
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10 ft x 10 ft
Booth includes back and side pipe and drape, skirted table, two folding chairs, and a booth ID sign
Maker Meeting Zoom Recordings
February 5: Accepted Maker Meeting
Raffle Instructions
At each Handmade Arcade market, we rely on maker-donated products for our raffle, which serves as a fundraiser for Handmade Arcade. We are a nonprofit with a small team, so if you're able to donate an item, we REALLY appreciate it.
What to Donate: For the Modern Craft Market, we will be raffling individual items. We are grateful for every donation and are especially encouraging feature-worthy items that really showcase your work.
How to Donate to the Raffle: Complete this short but very important form about your planned raffle donation by Friday, March 20. This helps us send acknowledgement letters for your tax-deductible raffle donations and promote both your products and our raffle leading up to the market. This year, to build excitement and showcase your work, we’ll be highlighting individual raffle items and makers in advance on social media, email newsletters, and website, so early submissions are especially appreciated
Please bring your raffle donation with you to the Modern Craft Market on Friday, March 27, and we will collect items from you during load-in.
Social Media Toolkit
Click here to access the Maker Social Media Toolkit on Dropbox.
All files provided can be downloaded and used by makers to help promote their participation in the Modern Craft Market.
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