Dealers Room

Official Aussiecon 4 Merchandise

Fo’ Paws Productions is providing the official merchandise at Aussiecon 4, including regular T-shirts, longsleeved T's, V-necks, ladies' cut T's; embroidered denim and polo shirts, and tote bags. 

New official Aussiecon 4 T-shirt designs are now available!  You can pre-order to pick up at the convention or get shirts mailed to you post-con if you can't be there. Pre-orders must be received by August 30th.  The shirts and more information are at

http://www.fopaws.com/categories/a4/index.html

Scott and Jane Dennis of Fo’ Paws have been providing merchandise for SF conventions, especially Worldcons, for many, many years.

Fo' Paws can ship anywhere in the world, and they charge one low shipping fee for any number of items in an order: $5.75 for US domestic, US$12.00 to Australia, Canada, Europe, or anywhere else on the planet.

Dealers Attending

Information for Dealers

Applications for tables in the Aussiecon 4 Dealers Room have now closed.

Instructions for dealers on how to bump in are coming shortly.

Dealers Application form (.doc)

The Dealers Room is an integral part of any convention. It’s where both commercial (professional) and fannish (amateur) dealers display and sell Science Fiction related literature, clothing, merchandise, jewelry, armour, artwork, and pretty much anything with a science fiction, fantasy or horror theme. Nearly all members of the convention will visit the Dealers Room at least once during their time at Aussiecon 4, so do not miss out on the opportunity to show your work or wares.  Reserve your space now!

Fan tables will not be in the Dealers Room, but will be located nearby. Fan tables are available to fan clubs, conventions, convention bids, and similar groups. The sale of goods and services of a commercial nature at the tables will not be permitted.

Aussiecon 4 will endeavour to accommodate all dealers reserving space so that the diversity of offerings to members is as large as possible. A wait list will be used only as absolutely necessary.

General Rules

  1. All dealers and their staff must be attending members of Aussiecon 4.
  2. Dealers are responsible for ensuring that all goods and services comply with Australian law.
  3. Smoking is prohibited inside any building in the State of Victoria. Therefore, the Dealers Room will be strictly non-smoking.
  4. Displays that are noisy, emanate a strong odor, are dangerous to attendees, or cause excessive distraction are not permitted.  This policy is to ensure the safety of all members of Aussiecon 4 and to comply with the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre’s safety regulations.
  5. Only dealers and their helpers may bring food and beverages into the Dealers Room. Food and beverages may only be consumed while behind the dealers own table.
  6. All chairs, boxes, displays, and merchandise must be removed from the aisles during the hours that the Dealers Room is open to the public.
  7. Dealers must not invade or block their neighbour’s space.
  8. No merchandise may block access to fire extinguishers, emergency exits or other fire equipment.
  9. Aussiecon 4 reserves the right to reject any Dealers Room application it deems inappropriate to the purposes of the World Science Fiction Convention and its governing body, the World Science Fiction Society.

Customs Broker

Aussiecon 4 has engaged the services of a customs broker to assist Aussiecon 4 artists and dealers to move their goods in and out of Australia.

Australian Tax Regulations

Most goods, including books, sold in the Dealers Room will include the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The GST is currently set at 10% of the sale price. Please review the Australian Taxation Office GST web site for more information. Sales tax is not applicable to the sale of goods and services. If you are not an Australian resident, you are advised to check with the agent to verify your status, complete any forms required by the Australian Taxation Office, and check with your tax advisor.

Insurance Cover

The Aussiecon 4 Dealers Room cannot provide insurance coverage for your goods. You should make appropriate arrangements with your own insurance provider to cover your goods in transit, in storage, and while on site at Aussiecon 4.

While Aussiecon 4 and the MCEC will exercise all due care and responsibility to ensure the safety of participants and their property, no liability will be accepted for lost, stolen or damaged items (merchandise) or personal effects brought onto the convention site, or while in transit or storage.

Location

The Aussiecon 4 Dealers room will be on level three of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The final choice of room will depend on the number of tables booked for the Dealers Room.

Tables

The size of each table will be approximately 210 cm x 75 cm (82.5” x 29.5”). Each table will be supplied with two chairs, subject to verification. The cost of ancillary services such as electrical power, telephone lines, or Wifi are not included in the price of the table. Dealers are advised to bring their own table coverings and cloths to cover merchandise when tables are left unattended. Aussiecon 4 will not provide merchandise coverings. Each dealer may book up to five tables. If bookings outweigh the available space, dealers who book four or five tables may have the number of their tables reduced to three or four tables. 

Payment

The cost of each table will be AU$220.00 to a maximum of five tables. A deposit of AU$100.00 is due upon booking. This deposit will cover all of the tables booked. Dealers may pay the entire amount due when booking their tables if this is more convenient.

PayPal, cheques (checks) in Australian dollars or US dollars, Visa and Mastercard will be accepted. All credit card charges will be processed in Australian dollars. Cash will be accepted, but please do not send cash via mail.

The costs for ancillary services such as power, telephone or Wifi needed to run your EFTPOS terminals will be charged separately. This charge will be the direct cost charged by the venue for provision of these services. You will be notified when these costs are made known to us. 

Hours of Operation

Wednesday, 1 September
Dealer move in and setup 
  9 a.m.  to  6 p.m.
Thursday, 2 September
Dealer move in and setup
Room inspection before opening
Room open for business		   9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
11 a.m. to 12 noon
12 noon to 6 p.m.
Friday thru Sunday
3, 4, and 5 September		 Room open for business
 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, 6 September Room open for business 
Dealer packing and
removal of merchandise from room 		10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
 

Business to cease at 2 p.m. sharp. Dealers must vacate the room by 7 p.m., Monday 6 September.

Dealers will be allowed into the room 30 minutes prior to opening for business for the purpose of last minute adjustments to merchandise. These hours are subject to last minute change as necessary.

Security

The Dealers Room will be locked whenever the room is not open to the public, and no access will be permitted outside of the operating hours. Dealers and their helpers are strongly advised to take all medications and medical supplies with them when they leave at the closing of the room. Other valuables such as cash, cheques, or credit card receipts should also be removed at the end of each day. The room will NOT be reopened so that such items can be retrieved.

While Aussiecon 4 and the MCEC will exercise all due care and responsibility to ensure the safety of participants and their property, no liability will be accepted for lost, stolen or damaged items or personal effects brought onto the convention site or while in transit or storage.

Disclaimer

While we fully intend these to be the rules which actually govern the conduct of the Aussiecon 4 Dealers Room, we must reserve the right to make changes or interpretations if unforeseen circumstances should arise. Any interpretations or changes will be guided by the spirit, rather than the letter, of these rules.

Aussiecon 4 will co-operate with Australian authorities in the event that any violations of copyrights or illegal merchandise are found. Such violations may result in revocation of membership and the confiscation of any and all such merchandise found to be in violation.

Contact Information

For any questions regarding membership, please contact us at dealers@aussiecon4.org.au.

Dealers application forms from Australia or New Zealand should be sent to the Melbourne address below to the attention of Paula McGrath. For North American applicants, the form should be sent to Steve Francis at the Louisville KY address below.

Dealers application forms may be emailed to dealers@aussiecon4.org.au        

Australia Postal Address
Aussiecon 4,
Attn: Paula McGrath
GPO Box 1212
Melbourne VIC 3001
Australia
 North America Postal Address
Steve Francis,
Aussiecon 4 Dealers Room Manager
PO Box 58009
Louisville KY 40268-0009

Aussiecon 4 Weapons Policy


In line with the standard practice at most Worldcons, Aussiecon 4 will not permit its members to carry or display weapons. Aussiecon 4 members should also understand that the State of Victoria has joined with all other Australian jurisdictions, including the Federal Government, to ban the carriage or use of any type of firearm or edged weapon. (Victorian legislation:
CONTROL OF WEAPONS ACT 1990 Victoria incorporating amendments as at 8 November 2007)

Firearms

Firearms are defined as all projectile weapons. This includes crossbows and blowguns as well as ballistic weapons of any type. There are only three exceptions to this ban. Those exceptions are:

  1. sworn members of Australian Police Forces

  2. members of the Australian Defence Force on "official duty" or "authorized parade" with issued firearms

  3. members of Registered Australian Gun Clubs participating in "authorized" club competitions or range practice days.

Additionally, the importation by any individual of any type of firearm is prohibited by Customs Regulations. This includes anything that the Australian Customs Service believes could be used as, or viewed to be, a firearm.

Edged Weapons

Tough anti–knife laws have also been introduced by most jurisdictions in Australia. These laws give police the power to stop, search and detain any person suspected of carrying a knife. A knife is any type of blade, sword, throwing weapon or martial arts weapon. Carrying or displaying such weapons constitutes an offence in most states of Australia, including the State of Victoria. Swiss Army knives, "scout" knives and pocketknives, as well as knives used in the course of work duties, are not prohibited. The only exception allowed to the general prohibition of edged weapons is for a weapon used at ceremonial or cultural events. That exception applies only during the course of the ceremonial or cultural event. That is, while display of an edged weapon during the Masquerade may be allowed, this does not mean that the weapon may be displayed at any other time during Aussiecon 4.

Masquerade Weapons

The Aussiecon 4 committee cannot give permission for any type of weapon to be imported to Australia for use in the Masquerade. It is suggested that persons wishing to display a weapon in the Masquerade obtain that weapon in Australia – through purchase or loan or the construction of a "fake" or "replica" weapon.

As discussed above, any weapon that is to be displayed during the course of the Masquerade may not be displayed at any other time during Aussiecon 4. The weapon must be conveyed to the Masquerade in such a way that it is not visible to the general public or other members of Aussiecon 4. The weapon may then only be displayed at the Masquerade (which includes the Masquerade photo session).

Immediately following their display during the Masquerade, weapons must be removed to secure areas not accessible to the public or other convention members (for example, a hotel room that will not be used for room parties).

If you are considering the display of any type of weapon at the Masquerade, you must discuss this with the Masquerade Director at least 48 hours before the beginning of the Masquerade.

Purchased Weapons

Should you purchase a weapon from the Dealers Room at Aussiecon 4, it must be wrapped and immediately removed to a secure area that is not accessible to the public or other members of the convention.

Decisions about Weapons

Aussiecon 4 reserves the right to decide what constitutes a weapon. It also reserves the right, at its own discretion, to secure, impound or confiscate any thing that it decides is a weapon for the duration of the convention.

Conclusion

We appreciate that many people would like to carry a display weapon as part of a hall costume. We also concede that most people are sensible and careful individuals. However, the risk of weapons causing accidents or distress to other convention members is too great. Apart from this general concern for the well being of our members, Australian laws now forbid the carry of weapons of any type in almost all circumstances.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Greg Turkich, Manager Convention Section, Aussiecon 3 (1999)
updated on behalf of Exhibits Division, Aussiecon 4 (May 2009)

 
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Disclaimer: Aussiecon® 4 is convened under the auspices of the Victorian Science Fiction Conventions Inc (ABN 90 257 542 181) and as such, is governed by its rules and regulations. Victorian Science Fiction Conventions Inc. is a not for profit association incorporated under the Victorian Associations Act, 1981. Aussiecon 4 is supported by the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Melbourne [ www.melbourne.vic.gov.au] . "World Science Fiction Society", "WSFS", "World Science Fiction Convention", "Worldcon", "NASFiC", "Hugo Award", and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.