bookmark this page for easy access throughout the day!

UP Escalator out of order:
The UP escalator from the Grand Hall level to the Atrium level is currently out of order. Students will need to use the stairs located in the hallway in front of Grand Hall 6/7 OR the stairs on the right-hand side of the Atrium to access the Athena and Parthenon rooms.

Please remind students not to use the elevators, as we need to reserve them for individuals with mobility needs.

Thank you for your cooperation, and we hope you have a fantastic day at TomeCon 2025!
SCHEDULE UPDATES:
  • Make & Take Drop In will be open until 4:45pm in Athena C & D
    • Grades 2-5: 11-3pm
    • Grades 6-12: 9am-1pm
    • All Grades: 3:00-4:45pm
  • Maria José Fitzgerald will NOT be able to attend TomeCon due to an unforeseen family emergency.  All sessions of "Why Not Two? How Authors Use Dual Narratives to Craft Compelling Stories" are unfortunately cancelled.
  • NEW! Grand Hall 5 @ 12:15, 1:15, and 2:15pm Session for Grades 2-5
    • Presenter:  Josie Bailey, Kuumba Storyteller
      • Storytelling Safari: Journey to the Heart of Kenya
      • Description: Embark on an exciting storytelling adventure filled with humor, movement, and imagination! In this interactive session, Josie brings stories to life with expressive voices, vibrant dialects, and colorful costumes. Through original tales and beloved classics, she weaves a journey that connects history, culture, and creativity—often reflecting her African-American roots. Inspired by the Tome Book Award title The Elephant Girl by James Patterson, Ellen Banda-Aaku, and Sophia Krevoy, this experience will transport you straight to an elephant preserve in Kenya. Get ready to laugh, learn, and explore the magic of storytelling!
  • ​NEW! Grand Hall 4 @ 12:15 pm ONLY for Grades 2-5
    • ​Presenter: Nick Mask, Author & Illustrator of "Waffles the Cat"
      • ​Tails and Tales with Nick Mask and Waffles the Cat
      • Description: Join author and illustrator Nick Mask as he shares the story behind his beloved character, Waffles the Adventure Cat. Learn about his creative process, from developing characters to illustrating and bringing his picture books to life.
Day of Information:
  • Upon arrival, one adviser should go to the registration window at the back of the Atrium while the student group waits together.
  • Lunch pickup is by group; your chapter will have one ticket for the entire group, and all lunches must be picked up at the same time.
  • All student and adult tickets purchased by the school will be available for adviser pickup at registration. If you bought a parent ticket, the parent must see the adviser for their admission sticker.
  • Adult tickets purchased online are in a separate pickup line.
  • The adult ticket is a large sticker that must be worn visibly all day for session access.
Students:  
  • **EVERY STUDENT NEEDS TO BRING A REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE!**
    • There will be water refill stations throughout the Classic Center as well as drinks for purchase.  Lunch only includes one drink and students will need a water bottle for the rest of the day. 
  • **EVERY STUDENT NEEDS TO BRING A NOTEBOOK AND A PEN/PENCIL**
    • Several authors have amazing sessions planned that require the students to write.  Please make sure every student has a notebook/notepad and something to write with. 
  • **EVERY STUDENT NEEDS a printed copy of their grade band's TomeCon schedule (Grades 2-5​) or (Grades 6-12)
  • BEFORE the day of the event please go over the Concurrent Session Descriptions and the Classic Center Map with your students.  It is advisable to print copy of each of these for your group chaperones. 
  •  Make sure your students eat a good breakfast as it will be a full day! Elementary students will eat lunch at 11:15 and middle/high students will eat lunch at 12:15.**
  • Optional - Bring Extra Cash for Shopping -  We will have several amazing vendors this year, the Tome merch table, raffle baskets, and the Storybook Market Book Fair with all of the Tome Book Award titles.  Please let your students know that they can bring cash or card for shopping.

IN YOUR BAGS: 
- Sticker for all adults - chaperones, volunteers, and ticketed adults purchased by your school.  Sticker MUST be worn at all times by all adults.  
- Student bags - 1 per student ticket
  • Dive In button - MUST be worn at all times by all students.  Students will not be allowed into sessions without a button. 
  • Tome Book Award Bookmark 
  • One complimentary raffle basket ticket
  • Additional "swag" sent by our amazing Tome Book Award-winning authors! 
Raffle Basket Pick Up Policy:  
  • 2:45 pm is the last chance to enter the raffle basket drawings.
  • Winners Posted at tomesociety.org/tomecon-qr at 3:45 pm. (See Raffle Basket Winners button at the top of this page) 
  • Basket winners can begin pick up at 4:00 pm from the Tome Merch table (winning students should be accompanied by an adult to claim their basket).
  • All raffle baskets MUST be picked up by 5:00 p.m. 

Day of Parking

Arriving via Bus (School or Charter)
If you purchased a parking pass with your TomeCon registration, detailed bus parking information and your numbered bus parking pass were emailed to your chapter adviser.

Each bus must display the numbered bus parking pass in the window upon arrival.

Bus Parking Access Route:
Buses may access Foundry Street parking only via E. Dougherty Street. Do not enter Foundry Street from E. Broad Street.
Arriving via Car
Attendees not arriving by school bus should follow these directions for individual car parking.

General attendees can park in The Classic Center Parking Deck (300 N. Thomas Street, Athens, Ga, 30601) using either entrance:
  • North Thomas Street Entrance
  • East Broad Street Entrance - 705 E Broad St, Athens, GA 30601
Parking Fee for Guests: $12
Please Note: The Foundry Street parking deck entrance will be closed for this event.

If The Classic Center Parking Deck reaches full capacity, attendants at the entrance gates will notify you. In that case, you may park at one of the nearby alternate Athens parking locations.​