Card Show Vendors Speak Out Against Tidewater Promoter

We covered a Facebook dispute between Tidewater Cards & Collectibles promoter Michael Campbell and another show organizer over competing event dates in North Carolina.

After that story published, we received an overwhelming number of messages from vendors who’ve worked Tidewater shows. The complaints weren’t about scheduling — they were about how the shows are run.

The Allegations

Multiple vendors shared similar experiences:

• Last-minute show cancellations, sometimes days before the event after vendors had already booked travel and hotels
• Show spaces being significantly smaller than advertised or promised
• At one Witchduck, Virginia event, a vendor who drove three hours allegedly found the promoter had subleased three-quarters of the show space to a craft and yarn fair
• Allegations of favoritism, with some vendors receiving preferential treatment while others face repeated issues
• Inappropriate behavior, including one vendor’s account that the promoter asked his wife “where the good swingers clubs were in town”

One vendor wrote: “I have not heard a positive thing about Tidewater for years. Maybe there is a club, the 5 percenters that he actually treats well, but I am not in it, nor are many others.”

Another said they have “20+ more just like it” — referring to problematic experiences at Tidewater shows.

One public post shared disturbing details.

Tidewater Responds

We reached out to Tidewater Cards & Collectibles for comment before publishing. Here’s their full response:

“Thank you for sharing your concerns with the Tidewater Team. We truly appreciate your honesty and insight.

We strive to create the best possible trade show experience for everyone, and we regret that we missed the mark in these instances. After ten years of promoting shows, we remain committed to learning from every piece of feedback we receive.

Our staff is dedicated to reviewing all feedback thoroughly, and addressing concerns with the care and urgency they deserve.

Elizabeth and Michael remain committed to the continuous improvement of our shows, and would welcome the opportunity to speak with any vendor or patron directly, to better understand their perspective.

Thank you again for taking the time to reach out.

Best Regards,
The Tidewater Team”

Tidewater did not deny the allegations or provide specifics about what corrective actions, if any, have been taken.