RTM is striving to be inclusive for all. Monona Terrace in Madison WI is ADA compliant and you can read more about the venue: Here

RTM’s policies, compliances and accessibility statements can be found: Here

If you require accommodations for your attendance to RTM please reach out via the contact page

All are welcome at Romancing the Midwest. Kindness, respect, and inclusivity guide everything we do, not as a slogan, but as a shared value that shapes the event. We welcome readers and authors of all backgrounds and identities, proudly center LGBTQIA2S+ voices, and believe everyone deserves dignity and belonging.

In an effort to ensure diversity RTM has started an inclusivity panel headed by Christine Bollow

Christine Bollow is a queer, disabled Filipina litizen who currently lives in Tucson. She’s co-owner of Loyalty Bookstores and is a book consultant for comic cons and bookish events. Christine was a Fiction Juror for the 2024 Kirkus Prize, a judge for the 2025 Lambda Literary Awards, and currently serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the American Booksellers Association. She is a recipient of the 2024 Duende-Word BIPOC Bookseller Leadership Award and a 2022 Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree. Christine is a graduate of Barnard College and can be found on Bookstagram @readingismagical or at christinebollow.com.

You may bring a cart, as long as it does not exceed 18.5’’ x 18.5’’. Due to space limitations on the event floor, wagons are not permitted.

If you have a disability or require a larger mobility aid or cart, this size restriction does not apply. Please reach out to RTM through the Contact page so we can coordinate appropriate accommodations or answer any questions in advance.

Learn more about our approach to accessibility. 

Romancing the Midwest is an 18+ event. Due to the mature subject matter often explored in many of the romance books represented—including explicit content and adult themes—this event is intended for adults only.

Our goal is to create a comfortable space where authors and readers can openly discuss romance stories without needing to moderate content for younger audiences.

Yes. Authors will have their books available for purchase at the event and will be happy to sign copies bought onsite. Some may also offer pre-order options so you can reserve a title in advance and pick it up during the weekend.

You may also bring a book or item to be signed by an author or vendor, but please note Keynote Speakers will only be signing the books they are selling and ticketed booths will have a two-item max for signing. 

Policies

Code of Conduct

Accessibility Statement

Mission Statement

Monona Terrace is a public building, and they can enter public areas M-F 8am-5pm.  ICE or any Federal Agent cannot enter contracted/rented meeting space, even if the event has their contracted meeting space doors open. 

From the city attorney:

Any Federal/ICE agent should be told that they can enter the building and the public spaces therein, as can any member of the public,  between M-F 8-5. However, despite there not being a locked door or a passcode for such space, for any meeting space that is contracted/rented (irrespective of day and time), ICE agents should be told that this space is private, and that they should not enter such space.

First and foremost, if ICE attempts to enter the meeting space despite the above admonition, it is imperative that no one try to physically stop the federal agent from entering. It is important that staff then immediately call the command center (dial “0” on the house phone) and let them know. Supervisory staff should be appropriately prepped to contact Madison Police Department and the Office of the City Attorney immediately in this instance, so that we can work to de-escalate the situation. We have legal ways to address such a violation of private property rights after the fact, and do not want to get into shoving matches, etc., with Federal agents. We also do not want to be accused of harboring undocumented aliens or obstructing Federal agents in their duties.

MZ, has spoken with Monona Terrace and the above is their policy and their staff is trained to respond if such an incident occurs.

If you have any other questions or concerns please reach out in our Contact page.

Please check out our FAQ page on our website. 

Places to Stay

We are currently working on room blocks at nearby hotels and will share updates as soon as those details are finalized.

In the meantime, there are several convenient options within one mile of Monona Terrace, including DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown, Best Western Premier Park Hotel, and Hyatt Place Madison/Downtown. Staying nearby makes it easy to walk to panels, author signings, and evening events—and maybe even chat books with fellow romance readers in the lobby before heading out for the day.

See RTM's FAQ for more information.