VENDOR RULES
- All Vendors shall abide by the HGMS Code of Conduct or they may be removed from the Trade Show and barred from participation in any future HGMS shows or events.
- It is the vendor’s responsibility to ensure compliance with current state tax laws which state that the “occasional use” exemption does not apply if the vendor pays a fee to obtain a table to sell retail products in an event or show. This means all vendors must have a Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit to participate in an HGMS Trade Show.
- Only items that meet Item Guidelines will be allowed for sale or trade at the Trade Show. Vendor registration may be cancelled, with no refund, if items do not meet Item Guidelines.
- Item Guidelines are:
- All items must be related to the HGMS Sections. The HGMS Sections are: Archaeology, Beading, Gemstone & Faceting, Lapidary & Silversmithing, Mineral, Paleontology
- All items must have been obtained legally and provenance may be requested for artifacts (particularly fossils and archaeological items).
- Ivory is not allowed at the trade show since it is illegal to import.
- To provide a fair opportunity of participation, the registration of vendors shall be done by a lottery system through the HGMS Trade Show website page. Registration will begin at least 4 weeks prior to the Trade Show date and continue for 2 weeks. The registration form will allow the registrant to choose as few or as many table location options as might be desired. After the registration deadline a random generator will provide the ranking for Vendor’s choices to be filled.
- Anyone with problems in registering should email tradeshow@hgms.org or call the club main number which is monitored by Nancy English.
- This includes questions about whether a registration has gone through, problems in payment through PayPal, or inability to log onto the HGMS website and/or fill out the application form.
- Emails will be answered promptly, usually within an hour or two but in all cases within a day.
- Only HGMS members in good standing for three months or more shall be allowed to register.
Registration, Payment and Cancelation:
- Vendors are not considered as registered for a Trade Show space until they have been selected via lottery registration and have paid for their table space and tables (if any). A separate page with a PayPal link will be emailed to all dealers chosen in the lottery selection for them to submit payment.
- Refunds are available if advance notification is given in writing to the Trade Show Chairman as follows:
- A full (100%) refund will be given if notified fifteen (15) or more calendar days before the show.
- A half (50%) refund will be given if notified eight (8) or more calendar days before the show.
- No (0%) refund will be given if notification is given seven (7) or fewer days before the show.
NOTE: In the event of extreme weather, only outside spaces/tables will be refunded on the day of the show, and only at the discretion of the Trade Show Committee or HGMS Board of Directors.
NOTE: In the event the Trade Show is canceled/closed by HGMS Trade Show Committee or HGMS Board of Directors, all table and show fees will be refunded.
Show Setup:
- Vendors who will be in the Indoor Area can start setting up the evening before show date. This set-up will be from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. They can also set up on the morning of the show date.
- Vendors who will be Outside will set up the morning of show date. This set-up will be from 7:30 AM to show open at 10:00 AM
- All vendors must be onsite and ready for the Trade Show Coordinator to review compliance with the Item Guidelines by 9:30 AM on show date. It is the vendor’s responsibility to ensure compliance with state tax laws and to bring their current Sales and Use Tax Certificate to the show although it is not required to be displayed.
- All vendors must be set up and ready for show opening by 10:00 AM on show date.
- Vendors using HGMS tables must bring and use adequate covers to provide table protection.
- Vendors may not change table/space layout or sublet table space.
- Vendors who are located Outside are not provided with coverings or sun shades. If they wish to have coverings they must bring their own 10’ x 10’ tents and must provide their own tent weights
Show Breakdown:
- Vendors must stay for the entirety of the show, regardless of customer volume. The show closes at 4:00 PM and vendors may not begin packing until after this time.
- All vendors must have cleared AND CLEANED UP their area by 8:00 PM at the latest.
TABLE/SPACE REGISTRATION OPTIONS & RATES
Registration allows for a single selection of options below. Note that each space configuration and location has an option for the rental of tables. Please indicate your choice for table rentals along with your space preferences in the form below. Also please remember that subletting is expressly prohibited; all vendors must register for their own table.
Indoor Space, booths 1-13 (tables optional):
10’x10’ space
- No table $60
- 1 table $70
- 2 tables $80
10’x15’ space
- No table $90
- 1 table $100
- 2 tables $110
Outside Space, booths 14-20 (tables optional):
10’x10’ space
- No table $50
- 1 table $60
- 2 tables $70