Exhibitors

Exhibit Hall Overview

As the one-stop bazaar of anime goods and wares, the Exhibit Hall is the centralized spot to find official merchandise alongside fan creations for sale. Exhibitors include the following:

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Vendors

Vendors generally sell merchandise that is manufactured by a third-party company other than the respective exhibitor. Typically, these exhibitors offer official product lines.

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Artists

Artists sell merchandise self-produced and created by the respective exhibitor. These exhibitors usually sell products that are original ideas/IP or fan-derivative (think fan art and fan fiction). Artists have personally made or designed 80% or more of their stock and do not sell third-party items.

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Deadlines

Exhibitor Application Opens

November 21, 2022

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Exhibitor Application Closes

February 28, 2023

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Exhibitors are notified on a rolling basis throughout the open application window.

Booth Inclusions

Vendor Booths

• 10x10 space
• One (1) 6 ft skirted table
• One (1) wastebasket
• Two (2) chairs
• Pipe and drape
• ID sign

Artist Booths

• One (1) 6 ft table (no skirt)
• One (1) wastebasket
• Two (2) chairs
• Does not come with pipe and drape to hold signage

*Extra tables, electrical needs, and other special accommodations will be provided through a third-party company at an additional cost to the exhibitor. Accepted exhibitors will be provided with the necessary information before the con.

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Booth Price

Vendor Booths - $400 and includes two (2) admission badges to Dream Con.

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Artist Booths - $200 and includes two (2) admission badges to Dream Con.

How to Apply

The Dream Con 2023 Exhibitors Application goes live November 2022. Upon completing the Growtix application, you will receive a confirmation email of your submission. Afterwards, the Dream Con team will review applications on a rolling basis throughout the open window period (November 2022 to February 2023).

Due to the high volume of submissions, we appreciate your patience as we personally consider and review each application. After submitting your application, be on the lookout for an email from the team for a status update. Pro tip: Include exhibitors@dreamconvention.com and tickets@growtix.com to your Address Book so that we’re prioritized in your inbox instead of hidden in your Spam folder.

Application Information

• First Name (As it Appears On Valid Photo ID)
• Last Name (As it Appears On Valid Photo ID)
• Address
• City
• State
• Zip
• Country
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Exhibitor Name
• Exhibitor Website
• Short Description
• Minimum # of Booths Requested (1 - 5)
• Maximum # of Booths requested (1 - 5)
• Photos (If possible, provide website/album links to previous booth setups)
• Primary Fandom Category
• Type of Products for Sale

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Securing Your Pass

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We recommend purchasing a badge during the public release if you would like to guarantee entry to Dream Con in the event you are not chosen to participate as a Vendor/Artist. If you are not selected to be a vendor, Dream Con is not able to offer ticket purchases outside of the general public ticket drops.

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Upon being approved to exhibit as a Vendor/Artist in the Dream Con 2023 Exhibit Hall, our team will prompt you to respond with your Order Number so that we may issue a ticket exchange. In the event you do not receive a confirmation email, contact exhibitors@dreamconvention.com to verify your Exhibit Hall acceptance status.

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Selling Restrictions

All adult materials must be either behind the table. If showcased on the table or display rack, materials must be bagged or covered so that minors may not open it. Exhibitors agree not to sell any adult materials to minors. Violating this rule is cause for immediate dismissal from the show with no refund, and being banned from any future events hosted by the show's management.

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No Bootleg DVDs or CDs. Representatives from various studios will be at the convention. Anyone selling unauthorized merchandise that infringes upon their copyright or licensing agreements (or any other studios) will be asked to leave the show. No refunds will be given if you break this rule and are asked to leave.

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Dream Con has a no firearm policy for the entire duration of the convention and will be enforced. However, cosplay props will be allowed as long as they cannot be mistaken for real weapons. Cosplay weapon props must adhere to the rules:

• We will allow realistic looking prop guns that have brightly-colored tips. Must be able to prove that it is not an actual weapon and cannot be used. BB guns will not be allowed.
• Projectile weapons such as water guns, silly string guns, ping-pong pistols, airsoft guns, etc. must be non-functioning. Must be able to prove that nothing will be able to shoot from the weapon. Example: Water gun tips and triggers will need to be hot glued shut so that nothing will shoot out or that the trigger cannot be pulled
• No metal weapons, sharp weapons, or blunt weapons (baseball bats, bokken, etc.)
• Prop bows will be allowed providing they are unstrung. All arrows must have soft tips.
• All plastic and wooden props must be reviewed by security

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Refund Policy

All sales are final for all booth purchases and, therefore, non-refundable. All booths are non-transferable to any other Dream Con event. This also includes all badges. Dream Con reserves the right to change the Refund, Transfer, and Resale Policy at any time without notification.

Improving My Application Odds

• We recommend having your application assets (business website and supportive photos) be as polished as possible so that we have a more solidified understanding of your business viability.
• Quality over quantity. Multiple submissions does not increase your odds of acceptance.
• Change your “Share” permissions to be visible to those with the links when providing cloud-based storage folders in the application.
• Please proofread. Use Grammarly if needed.
• Be pleasant and patient. Excessive harassment and/or aggressive treatment of Dream Con staff will not be tolerated.
• Any submissions that plagiarize products or designs will be denied.
• First time vending ever? Be bold and apply anyway. We welcome newcomers that are looking to explore the exhibitors' experience.
• Feel free to reach out to exhibitors@dreamconvention.com for concerns/questions you have.

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Using Dream Con/ RDC assets & trademarks in a Product Idea

Any exhibitors with intent to use the trademarks, likeness, or intellectual property of RDCWorld or Dream Con must submit requests to exhibitors@dreamconvention.com, receive written approval, and agree to the additional licensing terms no later than 60 days prior to Dream Con 2023.

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Failure to do so may result in Dream Con staff not permitting the display or sale of those respective items at the convention. Deliberate violations or attempts to circumvent this protocol with unauthorized goods and services may result in an exhibitor’s removal from Dream Con or attendance restrictions for future events at staff discretion.

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Exhibitor Terms and Conditions

We are very happy to have so many great exhibitors at Dream Con! To make sure we are all on the same page, here are the policies and rules for Exhibitors.

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1. Booths must remain intact and manned throughout the hours of the convention and may not be dismantled prior to the closing of the convention without authorization from

Convention Operations. Dream Con will not be held responsible for any issues arising from an unmanned booth during show hours.

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2. Exhibitors must comply with all local, state, and federal laws, and will not hold management liable for any breaches, losses, injury, or damage to themselves or their property. All exhibitors agree to hold blameless Dream Con and all Dream Con staff members and workers against any loss, damage, theft, expenses, claims, or actions arising from any personal or property damage, loss, or theft due to said exhibitors participation in Dream Con. Exhibitors should take reasonable measures to cover their items before they leave their booths at night. Exhibitors are responsible for their own security during show hours.

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3. Dream Con will NOT provide or maintain insurance coverage for exhibitor’s persons or property, and it is their sole responsibility to obtain insurance covering the loss.

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4. Dream Con does not endorse any exhibitor’s merchandise, exhibits, views, beliefs, or actions. All merchandise bought or sold at Dream Con is done strictly between exhibitors and attendees, Dream Con is NOT a party to or responsible in any way for 

any transactions made between said parties.

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5. No Vaping Pen, Vape, Tobacco, or Alcohol is allowed on the Premises unless purchased through the Austin Convention Center.

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6. No Bootleg DVDs or CDs. Representatives from various studios will be at the convention. Anyone selling unauthorized merchandise that infringes upon their copyright or licensing agreements (or any other studios) will be asked to leave the show. No refunds will be given if you break this rule and are asked to leave.

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7. No outside food vendors are allowed.

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8. All adult materials must be either behind the table. If showcased on the table or display rack, materials must be bagged or covered so that minors may not open it. Exhibitors agree not to sell any adult materials to minors. Violating this rule is cause for immediate dismissal from the show with no refund, and being banned from any future events hosted by the show's management.

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9. No sales on-site or promotion for online or off-site sales of any guns real or replica.

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10. State tax is the responsibility of the artist/vendor to collect according to state laws.

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11. No exhibit may block or interfere with other exhibits or aisle space. Any damage caused to the building or its furnishings by the Exhibitor is the sole responsibility of the Artist/Exhibitor.

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12. Should you (the exhibitor) find that you are not able to attend Dream Con and have already paid for your space, the policy is as follows: All sales are final for all booth purchases and, therefore, non-refundable. All booths are non-transferable to any other Dream Con event.

a. This also includes all badges.

b. Dream Con reserves the right to change the Refund, Transfer, and Resale Policy at any time without notification.

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13. Abandoned Property: Any property not removed from the Austin Convention Center that has not been claimed within forty-eight (48) hours following the end of the event will be considered abandoned by the Exhibitor.

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14. Any exhibitors with intent to use the trademarks, likeness, or intellectual property of RDCWorld or Dream Con must submit requests to exhibitors@dreamconvention.com, receive written approval, and agree to the additional licensing terms no later than 60 days prior to Dream Con 2023. Failure to do so may result in Dream Con staff not permitting the display or sale of those respective items at the convention. Deliberate violations or attempts to circumvent this protocol with unauthorized goods and services may result in an exhibitor’s removal from Dream Con or attendance restrictions for future events at staff discretion.

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15. Dream Con reserves the right to change, amend, and add to the rules and regulations of the show at any time. In the event that new rules are added that prevent you from selling your core product, you will be notified and refunded in full.

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‍All questions may be directed to exhibitors@dreamconvention.com.