As long as we have all the geeks in one place, we might as well have all the geeky goods for sale in one place too! And this is why we run a Vendor Hall – one might call it a "Geektastic Shopping Mall" – for the duration of the con.
One particularly nice thing about the VCON Vendors Hall is that it is open to the public! That's right! You can bring your friends and family to check out all the geeky goodness for sale without having to buy a memberships for each one first. (Of course, we fully expect you to try convincing them to buy a membership one after they've seen all the geeky goodness!)
The VCON Vendor Hall has two sections:
- Dealer's Room:
- Here, you can find all of the science fiction, fantasy and other geek-tastic merchandise. Instead of running all over town looking for great books, comics, buttons, figurines, memorabilia, or what-have-you, you can find them all here at VCON under one roof!
- Artists Alley:
- Here, you can interact directly with artisans as they showcase their own work. In addition to buying original artwork and generated items (comic books, art prints, bookmarks, etc.), you may be able to glimpse into their process by watching them create. Some will even take commissions!
If you are looking for information about the vendors that will be attending this year's convention and where within the two sections of the Vendor Hall they'll be at, please visit our Attending Vendors page.
Sections:
Apply to be a Vendor | Vendor Rates | Vendor Staffing Rules and Regulations
Apply to be a Vendor
Thinking of being a vendor at VCON this year? We'd love for you to share your stuff with your fellow fans!
VCON has some of the lowest table rates of any convention or trade show, SF/F or otherwise.
We're open to pretty much any kind of merchandise or art, as long as it follows the broad theme of science fiction, fantasy and other geeky pursuits. Specific information about Vendor Hall Rates and general table staffing rules and regulations are located further down this page
If you are interested in selling merchandise in the Vendor Hall please let us know by filling in the application form linked below. After you submit it our Vendor Liaison will contact you with additional information about space availability and booking requirements.
The VCON 37 Artists Alley Is Almost Full!
The Artists Alley is nearing capacity but there are still a few spaces left. If you're an artisan who qualifies for the Artists Alley and would like to participate as a vendor in this location this year, please complete the application form below. And soon! Or you might miss your chance!
The VCON 37 Dealers Room Is Full.
We apologize to other potential dealers but all Dealers Room spaces are currently reserved. However, we do have a waiting list available. If you are interested in being put on our waiting list please complete the application form below. Vendors on the waiting list will be contacted if there are any cancellations prior to the event and given the opportunity to make a reservation on a first-come first-serve basis.
Vendor Rates
Dealer spaces
A full space in the Dealers Room section of the Vendor Hall costs $100 for the weekend and includes a full weekend membership to the convention. Each full space provides a vendor with a 6'x6' area that may be furnished with one 6'x30" or 6'x18" table and up to two chairs. An individual vendor may reserve up to a maximum of three (3) Dealers Room spaces.
Half-spaces may also be reserved. Each also includes a full weekend membership and are available for $75.
Artist spaces
A full space in the Artists Alley section of the Vendor hall costs $85 for the weekend and includes a full weekend membership to the convention. Each full space provides a vendor with a 6'x30" table and two chairs. An individual vendor may reserve up to a maximum of two (2) Artists Alley spaces.
Half-spaces may also be reserved. Each also includes a full weekend membership and are available for $67.50.
The VCON Artists Alley is intended as a place for artists and craftspeople of 2D and 3D arts and crafts to showcase their own work. In general Artists Alley vendors are expected to sell original works at their table with a few exceptions (e.g. a comic artist may sell published books of their work). Any other items sold at the table—prints, posters, bookmarks, etc.—must be based on the vendor's own original work. Artists and craftspeople are also encouraged to demonstrate their art by creating new works at their table if doing so would be appropriate for their medium (i.e. a artist who sketched or painted could work on site, but we would not expect a potter to do so).
Vendor Staffing Rules and Regulations
Vendor Staff
Vendors are expected to have at least one person staffing their space on every day of the convention during Vendor Hall hours. This person must either be a registered VCON member or a Vendor Assistant, with the appropriate badge.
Note that each reserved space includes one full weekend membership and one Vendor Assistant Badge.
Direct any questions to vend{click-to-expand}@vcon.ca
Vendor Assistants
A Vendor Assistant may staff a table without paying for a full membership. All Vendors are entitled to have at least one Vendor Assistant attending their space.
Vendor Assistant badges will be provided to each vendor upon check in at the convention. These have the vendor name on them and are transferable (that is, they may be transferred between individuals during the convention, allowing vendors to rotate assistants).
All Vendor Assistants must wear a Vendor Assistant badge while they are attending any vendor space.
Vendors who have reserved two or more spaces may request one additional Vendor Assistant badge for each additional space if desired.
Vendor Assistants are restricted to the public areas of the convention: the Vendor Hall (Dealers Room and Artists Alley), the Art Show, and the Friday evening Book Launch. One-day or weekend memberships may be purchased on-site during the convention if they wish to explore other areas.
On-Site Contact
All vendors are required to register contact information - name, hotel room (if applicable), and mobile phone number - for one or more On-Site Contacts with the Vendor Liaison. An On-Site Contact must be a VCON member. A vendor may register them self as an On-Site Contact.
On-Site Contacts are presumed to have authority over the vendor's reserved space and will be held accountable for the behaviour and actions of anyone on staff. They will also be contacted in an emergency. On-Site Contacts are not required to stay in the Vendor Hall at all times but at least one must be on site at the convention during vendor operating hours.
