Are you a Maker or Vendor that is a little bit Nerdy? Do you carry items that might interest our community? A Writer of some far-off world that we all would love to visit? A Jewelry maker that specializes in whimsy and enchanting, or someone who can turn pieces of string and cloth into the most memorizing pieces of wearable art. We would like you to join us. At our Market we are looking for local and some not so local vendors to make our event even more special. If this is, you please read on. If you have any questions, contact the Market Coordinator at marketplace40@keycon.org.
The TLDR; Marketplace General Information
Keycon happens over the Victoria Day Weekend in May of every year. This year it is May 17th to 19th, 2024
At the Hilton Hotel 1800 Wellington Ave, Winnipeg, MB Canada
Booth Size is 8’x8’
Comes with a 6’x2’ table
2 Chairs Badges Extra
$80.00
Load In/Load Out, Hours
Load In: Friday May 17th Starting at 12:00PM (Lunch)
Load Out: Sunday May 19th After 2:00PM
Hours of Show:
Friday: 4:00PM – 8:00PM
Saturday: 10:00AM – 6:00PM (open to public)
Sunday: 10:00AM – 2:00PM
The closest doors to the market are in the back of the hotel. I have highlighted it in purple on this map. These doors will be open for you to park close and bring in your items.
We are going to ask you to move your vehicle as soon as it is unloaded so others can park close to the doors to unload as well.
Marketplace Registration
Is open NOW. We will be continuing the tradition of having a set number of slots for various vendors so that we can keep a fantastic mix for our attendees!
Booth Cost
This year we are trying a booth set up. Meaning you get a set amount of space to use as you wish. The area you are able to use is 8’x8’ and comes with one 6’ table and 2 chairs. Badges are not included in the cost this year (we are looking at that for future years) so if you are attending the rest of the convention you will have to purchase a pass as well. The cost for the space is set at $80.00 for three days of selling potential.
Selling At Keycon FAQ
PLEASE NOTE THAT SELLING AT KEYCON IS
RESTRICTED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE REGISTERED
MARKET PLACE, OR CON SUITES.
Can I Sell Things Out of My Room, Or in The Hallway?
HARD No, sales are restricted to persons registered with the convention to sell in the Marketplace. Or the people who run Con Suites, if you are not associated to these two groups you are not permitted to sell.
Are There Any Restrictions on What I Can Sell in The Marketplace?
YES, we are not allowing people to do direct sales at this time. What are Direct Sales? Any company that you can sign up for and sell items on behalf of them. This includes the likes of Epicure, Pampered Chef, Colour Street, Avon, Sweet Legs, Tupperware, Scentsy, etc. …
Book sellers is the exception to this rule. Some say they are Direct Sales, and others will argue that they are independent representing many creators.
Copyright materials will not be discouraged or encouraged. So, this is a sell at your own risk item. So, if the copyright holder decides to ask for you to not vend these items Keycon will not be held responsible for this.
Any items that are being sold that are stolen will be removed, and if they reappear the vendor will be asked to leave without refund. This will include items that you download from the internet and print onto other items. If you are doing Fan Created items, it has to be by your own hands.
We do not allow AI made items. This does not need an explanation really. It is computer created form others works mixed. Yes, it is amazing that you can tell the computer what to do. But it will not be welcome in the Marketplace at this time.
Treat items will only be allowed if the vendor has a valid food handlers certificate access to a commercial kitchen space with the proper food safety protocols. So, if you are making chocolates, cookies, cakes, or savory sour dough breads we will need proof of your food handlers before we accept you at the market and we ask that you bring it and display it on your table. We also ask that you have a list of ingredients for your items for people to pursue as allergies are rampant now. Each individual item does not need the list of ingredients on it. You can just have a list of what is in each thing you make on the table with it.
Also, as per our hotel contract all food items need to remain sealed while in the general con space, and no samples can be given while at the event. This is for the safety of our other guests.
How Do I Apply for Tables?
Please see the link here to apply for a spot. Please note we will send you a payment method when we accept your application. If you do not hear from us within a month, please feel free to send the request again.
Can I Request a Specific Location for My Table?
You can request if you need to be by someone, or away from others and we will do our best to accommodate. We also try to make it so two of the same type of vendor are not beside each other. For example, if you are a crafter, we won’t put you beside another crafter. Unless you asked to be by one you know. We also put people who need power at places first. If you have a request of location due to accessibility needs, please mention it. Example: you need wheelchair accessibility to get into and out of your booth easier. Or close to a door for potty needs for a service animal. Would like a corner spot due to agoraphobia. We will do best to set up accessibility first.
Can Dealers Share a Table?
Yes, we do permit dealers to share a table. Just mark down that you are sharing, with who, and what they sell if it is different then you. We do not allow more than two dealers to share a space. We ask that no more than two people are vending in your space at any one given time.
Application Approval, Waiting List, And Cancellations
How Do You Decide Which Applications Are Approved?
All applications receive consideration, with approval based on product descriptions, and a review of the vendors website. We feel this is fairer than using a strictly first-come basis, and it also gives us a chance to ensure that we provide our members with a variety of merchandise.
What Happens If My Application Is Not Approved?
Non-approved applications will get an email telling them they made it to the waitlist. Or why we are not allowing them to vend at the market. They will then be able to cancel the application or stay on the waitlist at that time. Waitlist applicants will also be asked if they want to be in line in case of a last-minute cancelation. Meaning that the day of the event we might call you to ask if you want to fill a spot. With COVID still being a thing last moment cancelations happen.
What If I Need to Cancel My Table?
If you find that you will not be able to make use of your spaces, please inform us as soon as possible. It is unfair to vendors who are on the waiting list to keep them waiting until it is too late for them to make reasonable travel arrangements. We will only grant refunds for space if the cancellation is received in a timely fashion. Note that spaces may not be transferred to another vendor without the prior approval of the marketplace coordinator. Full refunds for spaces are only guaranteed if requested 45 days before the con. After that date, refunds are subject to our ability to resell the space. Cancelations 14 days before the con are not eligible to a refund. But they can transfer the ownership to another vendor if you speak with the marketplace coordinator about it. Otherwise, these spaces will be given to the waitlist members.
Hotel & The General Public
Hotel Is Pet Friendly, The Market & Keycon Is Not
As the hotel is pet friendly, we wanted to mention that Keycon is not. Meaning if you want to bring your pet with you to the event it is a hard no. We do have members of our community that use service animals and pets can often distract them from tasks.
If you are a service animal team, please tell us in advance so we can arrange to make sure you have ease of access to the doors for relief of the animal. Also please do not allow your companion to mess at the doors and pick up after your companion.
Please note that emotional support animals do not have rights to a public access space as they are not viewed as a medical trained service animal. If you need more clarification, please see this link to the Manitoba service animal act. Https://accessibilitymb.ca/resources/faqs_service_animals.pdf
Market Will Be Open to General Public on Saturday
That is right this year between the time of 12:00pm to 4:00pm we are allowing the general public access to the market. ONLY the market.
The rest of the convention space will be by badge only. Meaning that you can have people that are not registered with our convention come to the event to do shopping your you and your fellow market members. This is to promote the event and your hard work at the same time. I will be making a flyer for you to share on social media and to hang out at places around town.
NOTE: this may change if we don’t have enough volunteers to be able to help with this.
Other General FAQ
Where Do Vendors Park?
Also, as per our hotel contract all food items need to remain sealed while in the general con space, and no samples can be given while at the event. This is for the safety of our other guests.
I’m A Service Dog Team Where Do We Go?
We ask that you do not let your teammate potty at the door. We would like you to move them to a tree or curb in the area. CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR TEAMMATE! There is no reason for you to be inconsiderate to others.
When/Where Is Load In and Load Out/Hours?
We are at the Hilton Hotel 1800 Wellington Ave, Winnipeg, MB. The doors you will use are in the back of the hotel. I will send a map with it in it but here is a small one where I think it is (note I have yet to be back here so I can’t confirm but I am almost 100% sure!)
A new email will be sent closer to the event to give you this information. We are still working on a few small details with the new hotel. So please watch for an update to come after March 1st! We do know that Saturday we will be open most of the day. And shorter times on Sunday, with the hope of opening on Friday for a few hours. But that will be up to the hotel.
I Have More Questions?
Great! Hit email marketplace40@keycon.org. And we will get to them as soon as we can.