Note: There is no more Dealer space available for Otakuthon Home 2021.

1. Definition of a Dealer

For the purposes of this contract, a Dealer is a merchant who sells commercial goods or services in the Dealers’ Area of the Exhibition Hall. Products sold may be imported, mass-produced, self-produced, etc. but must comply with Otakuthon’s anti-bootleg policy. Bootleg regulations will be reinforced this year with the help of anime industry representatives. Please refer to Otakuthon’s anti-bootleg policy section for more information.

NOTE: Artists are NOT allowed to reserve dealer spaces. Please reserve an artist space by visiting the Artists Area Page.

2. What’s new this year?

Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our team at Otakuthon has decided to opt for a virtual edition this year, with the hopes of offering an experience like that of a real convention. The platform we have chosen features a virtual Exhibition Hall with booths where exhibitors may interact with attendees. With this exceptional situation, we have modified the rules and regulations.

2.1. All dealers are limited to purchasing one space only.

2.2. The costs for dealer spaces are in place to cover the fees associated with the platform. The prices are $150 CA for a dealer space, and $100 CA for dealers who’ve purchased space during Otakuthon At Home 2020. Please refer to sections 3.1 and 3.2 for more details.

2.3 Similar to previous years, dealers must submit their application form and obtain confirmation from the Dealers’ Area staff before sending their payment. Without a valid form, a dealer cannot proceed to reserving and paying for a space.

2.4. The rules regarding bootleg products are still in place. Please refer to Otakuthon’s bootleg policy for more details.

2.5. Artists cannot reserve a space in the Dealers’ Area.

3. Dealer Information

3.1. Dealer Space Rates

Type: 1 Dealer space
Features: Public chat, Private chat, 2 user accounts *, Customizable booth
Price (tax incl.): $150 CA **

* Additional staff accounts can be purchased. Please see section 3.2 for more details.

** Dealers returning from Otakuthon At Home 2020 will receive a $50 CA discount.

• Dealers are assigned spaces on a first-come, first-served basis, by order of payment.
• Dealers are limited to the purchase of one space only.
• Dealers MUST submit their completed registration form and wait for a confirmation email BEFORE sending payment. No space will be reserved without a valid registration.
• ALL PAYMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JULY 10, 2021. AFTER THIS DATE, the dealer’s space(s) WILL NO LONGER BE GUARANTEED.

3.2. Dealer Space Details

• Each Dealer space includes two login staff accounts.
• Each dealer MUST have their own store website or an online shop platform (i.e., Shopify, Paypal Store, etc.).
• Dealers may purchase additional staff accounts at $20 CA/entry.
• Posterboards can either be an image or a catalogue of items for sale.
• Otakuthon Partners have priority in choosing the type and location of their Dealer spaces.

Otakuthon reserves the right to reassign Dealer spaces at its sole discretion.

3.3. Registration

Dealer registrations will start on June 25, 2021 at 6 pm EDT via an online form. After submitting your form, please allow 3-5 days for an email confirming your registration. We will then proceed to payment.

3.4. Payment

A Paypal invoice will be issued to you after you receive your confirmation email. We currently only accept payment by Paypal. All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD). Please do not mail cash; Otakuthon will not be held responsible for any lost or stolen cash sent via the postal system. Any NSF cheque will be subject to a $45 CA handling fee.

3.5. Refunds & Cancellations

Dealer spaces are non-refundable. In the event that a Dealer needs to cancel their space reservation, Otakuthon, at its sole discretion, may provide partial credit towards the purchase of a Dealer space for Otakuthon 2022 (credit applicable towards Otakuthon 2022 only).

4. Dealer Regulations

• Pirated, “bootleg”, unlicensed or illegal materials (henceforth referred to as “bootleg items”) may not be sold on the convention premises. All merchandise shown to be bootleg must be removed by the Exhibitor immediately for the duration of the convention. Refusal to cooperate will result in the immediate expulsion of the Exhibitor from the convention premises without refund.
• It is the responsibility of the Dealer to determine which items and/or products are bootleg items. For more information on bootleg items, please contact the Dealers’ Area director at dealers@otakuthon.com
• Reminder that contact lenses are considered, as of July 2017, Class II medical devices in Canada. Any dealer who plans on selling contact lenses must provide a copy of a Class II medical licence.
• Weapon dealers must insure the legality of their products. Please refer to PART 3 of the Canadian regulations and laws on weapons for further information: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-98-462/page-2.html
• All contracts must be approved by Otakuthon staff and signed by the Dealer before proceeding to any payment. Therefore, without a valid contract, the Dealer cannot have a space reservation nor proceed to any form of payment.

Only the laws in effect in Quebec on August 1, 2021, shall apply to this agreement. Without references to principles of conflicts with the law, only the courts of the Province of Quebec, District of Montreal shall have jurisdiction for any conflict arising from this agreement.

FAQ

1. What is included with each dealer space?

Dealer spaces include at least 2 staff login accounts, banners to display pictures, functions to interact with attendees such as a public chat for text, audio, or videos, and also the option to reserve a private one-on-one chat.

2. What are the requirements to apply for a space in the virtual Exhibition Hall as a dealer?

• Each dealer must be invited by the Otakuthon Dealers’ staff who have sent you the application form link. This is due to limited capacity in the virtual space.

• Each dealer must have their own store website or an online shop platform (i.e., Shopify, Paypal Store, etc.).

• Each dealer must respect the usual regulations of the convention concerning merchandise. Commercial goods or services sold in the Dealers’ Area must be licensed products that may be imported, mass-produced, self-produced, etc. but must comply with Otakuthon’s anti-bootleg policy.

  • Pirated, “bootleg”, unlicensed, or illegal materials (henceforth referred to as “bootleg items”) may not be sold.
  • Furthermore, because the virtual convention will be open to attendees under 18 years old, adult material and weapons are also generally prohibited. If you plan on selling these, please contact us at dealers@otakuthon.com so we can discuss the verification of customers’ age.

If you are unsure if your merchandise complies with Otakuthon’s regulations, please send an email to dealers@otakuthon.com to verify with us.

3. May I purchase an Artist space AND a Dealer space?

No. You cannot register to be both an artist and a dealer.

4. What are the opening hours of the virtual Exhibition Hall? / How active do staff need to be during the convention?

The virtual convention is open on Friday 5 pm to 11 pm, Saturday 11 am to 11 pm and Sunday 11 am to 7 pm EDT. Staff should be present to monitor the chatroom if attendees want to ask specific questions on merchandise.

5. What are the steps to apply as a dealer?

1. Fill out the online application form.
2. Wait for a confirmation from the Dealers’ Area Staff (dealers@otakuthon.com)
3. Payment: staff will send you a Paypal invoice. We do not accept checks or money orders at this time.

6. How do sales work during the convention?

Customers may click on an exhibitor’s booth, where they are free to chat with the dealer and ask questions. There will be a page where dealers can display clickable highlight items, linking to the corresponding items on their website. Dealers can also provide a direct link to their website, where customers will be able to browse. All sales are made on exhibitors’ own online shop platform (no sales on the Otakuthon At Home website).

7. What are the payment methods for the exhibitor space?

We currently only accept payment by Paypal.

8. If I have a technical problem (website crashes, cannot login, software bugs, etc.) during the virtual convention, who do I contact?

You can contact dealers@otakuthon.com or the Help Desk at the lobby of the virtual convention.