Vendor Nuts and Bolts

Nuts and Bolts: Forms and Fees for Vending at JemCon 2023

Show Promoters Permit (required by the State of Rhode Island)

  • WHAT: Allows JemCon to take place in state of Rhode Island

  • Cost: None

  • Due: July 25th, 2023

  • Responsibility: JemCon

While there’s no fee associated with filing this, JemCon does need to indicate the approximate number of vendors that will be at the event when submitting the form.

We ask that all interested vendors submit their requests (and vendor payment) prior to this date to ensure that we can include you in the listed vendors on the Show Promoters Permit.

Vendor/Artist Forms (required by the City of Warwick)

  • WHAT: Allows vendors to sell merchandise in the city of Warwick, RI

  • Cost: Varied ($25-$50 per day)

  • Due: Two weeks prior to JemCon (to allow city time to approve)

  • Responsibility: Vendors

The city of Warwick requires that all vendors submit a daily vendors license. JemCon has no control over this (as it is a city ordinance).

Each vendor will need to submit a form along with payment for the total number of days they are selling items. Friendly reminder the vendor room will only be open on Saturday and Sunday so the max number of days a permit would be needed is two.

There are two types of forms:

Daily Vendor license (click for form)

  • Who needs: Vendors with traditional merchandise typically found at a retail location

  • Cost: $50 per day

Arts & Crafts license (click for form)

  • Who needs: Any vendor selling artwork prints, or custom merchandise not available for mass distribution (most vendors would fall under this category*)

  • Cost: $25 per day

*It is up to the vendor to submit the appropriate license form to the City of Warwick prior to JemCon.

Do I need to pay sales tax on my items?

  • Cost: Varied

  • Due: After JemCon

  • Responsibility: Vendors

Tax law is ever evolving and impossible to predict. In general, the State of Rhode Island considers items that would fall under “artistic works” or “limited edition” tax exempt. These include, unique, one of a kind or limited-edition artwork signed by the artist who is selling them.

One of a kind or handmade items also include items not developed for mass consumption IE limited edition. For more information on what the state of Rhode Island considers tax exempt please click here or visit The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Paperwork exempting vendors from paying sales tax can be located here.

For more information we recommend contacting The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts at RISCA.Contact@arts.ri.gov or contacting the Rhode Island department of taxation at Tax.audit@tax.ri.gov  or call (401) 574-8962 or visit https://tax.ri.gov/

We realize every situation is different and the above is not meant to be restrictive or prohibitive, but rather to ensure that all parties have the needed information to make an informed, appropriate decision.

HOUSEKEEPING REMINDERS:

  • Vendor requests are handled on a first come, first serve basis

  • Requests and payment should be made prior to July 25th, 2023 (when show promoters permit is due)

  • Please note: JemCon is only responsible for filing the Show Promoters permit with the State of Rhode Island. Any additional forms, fees, permits, or paperwork needed will be the sole responsibility of the vendor.

For more information on Vending at JemCon, please check out our Vendor FAQs,

To register as a vendor for JemCon, please complete the JemCon registration form.