So You Want to Vend at Capricon?

Policies & Information

Vending at Capricon has a long, storied history and we adore our dealers! Please read the following document and note that you must agree to these policies in order to vend at Capricon.

Application – NEW for Capricon 45

All Capricon registration systems have been migrated to new software.
Our vendor registration is at https://vendor.capricon.org/.
Click the bottom button to create a new account, which will persist in subsequent years, but everyone is “new” this year.

Content of Items

While we welcome our dealers and have not placed restrictions on items sold, please note that we prefer that our sellers keep subject matter under the general guidelines of licensed or transformative works relating to: science fiction, fantasy/urban fantasy, alternate history, and horror.

We have two types of items that are explicitly forbidden:

• Pirated duplicates of copyrighted works (transformative yes, pirated, no); and
• Any items that directly violate the Capricon and Phandemonium Code of Conduct.

Note: If you have adult themes (such as gore, nudity, and/or sexual themes), or any questions about whether content is transformative instead of copyright-violating (or any other questions about content), please contact the Dealer Lead at dealers@capricon.org as this can be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Transformative works are generally defined as per these links, but the below links are provided as general guidance, and are not legal advice:

• Transformative Works on Fanlore
• Fair Use: What is Transformative? (Nolo.org)

Dealer Fees

Every business or individual vending must be registered for the convention and send in an application to vend at Capricon Registration System*.

	Package Total	Final Total
Base Dealer’s Packageincludes 1 table, 1 chair (2nd chair if requested), 1 dealer badge	$115 + $50	$165
Second table – includes addt’l chair	$80	$245
Third Table – includes addt’l chair	$90	$335
Fourth Table – includes addt’l chair	$100	$435

Each table measures 72”x24”

• Your application and your booth content will be reviewed before your application is confirmed and accepted. Approval may not be immediate, nor is it guaranteed.
• One badge is included with your first dealer’s table; if you have a helper or are sharing table space with a fellow vendor, you must add an additional badge through the registration site for $50. If you are, for example, one table with multiple vendors sharing space (such as indie authors whose books don’t take up much space), each vendor must have a registered badge and the Dealers Lead must be aware of their table sharing.
• Fees for your table must be paid before your dealer registration is considered final.
• Capricon 45 Refund Policy – should circumstances change and you are unable to attend, please contact Dealers@capricon.org no later than January 20th, 2025 for a full refund. No refunds will be given past this date.
• Your table may not be sold, sublet, given away, or transferred to anyone without Capricon Dealer Lead and Treasurer approval.
• Electricity is available for an additional $50; no surge protectors or power cords are supplied.
• You may not have more than four tables. This limit is inclusive of fan tables and Art Show also.
• The Tax Number field in the application must be filled in with an IL State Tax Account # that can be verified with the State of IL.
• There will be no late or walk-in Dealers Room registration. Thank you for your understanding.

Sales Tax

The State of Illinois requires our dealers to pay sales tax on all items sold. Capricon does not facilitate these payments, nor determine the tax rate, which is set each year by the State of Illinois. Please consult the Illinois Department of Revenue regarding Sales Tax Permit registration and filing requirements for Illinois and out-of-state businesses. If you need additional assistance, please consult legal counsel. Capricon cannot provide advice for business or revenue registration and filings.

Dealers Room Location

The Dealers Room will be located on the Fourth Floor in the Sheraton Ballroom V of the Sheraton Grand in Chicago. (See the map below.) If you need a specific type of space (corner, etc.), please contact dealers@capricon.org. Requests will be kept in mind, but no guarantees can be made.

For information on hotel registration and parking fees, see the Hotel page at capricon.org or contact hotel@capricon.org.

Load-In and Load-Out

The plan for load-in and load-out for dealers may be subject to change.
Load-In will be Friday morning, exact hours TBD.
Load-out will be Sunday from 3pm-6pm.

Volunteering

We welcome dealers who wish to participate in programming, or who wish to participate in Capricon in other ways. If you have any programming proposals, interest in volunteering, or participating in another fashion, please contact dealers@capricon.org and we’ll help direct you to the right place.