Dealers Booth

This guide is your key to everything you need to know about the Kawaii Kon Dealer’s Room. It has been updated for 2026, and contains important information, pricing, and contract terms. Please read it carefully and feel free to email any questions or comments you have to dealers@kawaiikon.com.  

Important Dealer Information

• Kawaii Kon will be held April 24-26, 2026 at the Hawaii Convention Center located at 1801 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
• The Dealer’s room will be located inside Kamehameha Halls in the Hawaii Convention Center
• Kawaii Kon saw over 20500 unique attendees for the 2025 show. 

Dealer Room Times: (TENTATIVE, SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Thursday 5:00PM Dealer’s Room Set-Up, 9:00PM Dealer’s Room Set-Up Closes
Friday 5:00PM Dealer’s Room Setup, 6:00PM Dealer’s Room Opens, 9:00PM Dealer’s Room Closes
Saturday 9:00AM Dealer’s Room Setup, 10:00AM Dealer’s Room Opens, 6:00PM Dealer’s Room Closes
Sunday 9:00AM Dealer’s Room Setup, 10:00AM Dealer’s Room Opens, 4:00PM Dealer’s Room Closes, Dealer tear-down 4:00-6:00PM

UPDATES

RENOVATION OF HCC

Due to renovations of the Hawaii convention center, the hours for Friday are subject to change but are currently 5pm to 8pm. Please note that these hours are not final and may need to be adjusted based on construction status. Addtionally we are currently not expecting the parking lot to be available for use by all (attendees, staff and vendors). Please make appropriate accomidations for the lack of the parking garage. We are currently working with HCC to allow the use of loading docks for drop off purposes.

AdvertisingThe Kawaii Kon program guide is distributed to over 20,000 attendees, and is a great way to advertise your company! If you are interested in having an ad, contact the Kawaii Kon marketing team at info@kawaiikon.com. 

Booth Pricing Each booth consists of one 10’ x 10’ section and includes 1 table (at least 6 foot) and 2 chairs.
Single booth space $1100, 2 Badges Included 
Exhibitor Membership Pricing Your first booth comes with 2 Exhibitor Memberships to the convention. Each additional booth adds 1 free Membership. You must indicate you want these Memberships on the application. Up to 4 additional Memberships may be purchased for $70 each and must be indicated on this application (no exceptions). The last day to pre-purchase memberships at the $70 rate will be April 15, 2026. If you need to purchase more than 4 additonal Exhibitor Memberships, they will be available for $120 each.  Purchasing badges at the show will be at the $150 additional Exhibitor Membership Price, so it is advantageous to purchase your badges early. A maximum of 10 Exhibitor Memberships will be allowed per Dealer.
Booth Cancellations  Due to the limited nature of this event. No Cancellations or Transfers to the next year will be allowed. 

Shipping to Kawaii Kon Do you have a lot of merchandise to transport? We will provide info on how to ship items to the show closer to the event. 

Weapons Vendors - UPDATED POLICY 2025 Vendors may only sell weapons for after-hours outside pick up, or mail order. All displays must be inside plexiglass cases as well as secured in a manner that attendees cannot remove the weapon. Attendees may not handle or touch any metal weapons at any point inside the convention center. Designated pick-up areas will be the rotunda near the statue at the front of the convention center, or in the parking deck after the dealers hall is closed. 

Booth Placement 2026 All dealers will have an opportunity to select the booths they'd like to purchase within the map. These will be on a first come first serve basis.  If there is a particular layout out you would like for your booths, or someone you would like to be place near/away from, we encourage you to let us know when filling out your application. Dealers who have not selected their location by March 31st will be placed first come first serve by Kawaii Kon. This does not guarantee you that location as the entire layout may have to be adjusted based on updates with the HCC. We will attempt to keep any changes minimal, and we will inform you as soon as we confirm them.

Banned ItemsThese items cannot be sold under any circumstances at Kawaii Kon:

• Any goods and services deemed illegal under the laws of the United States of America, the state of Hawai‘i and the City and County of Honolulu.
  • This includes unlicensed Music CDs, Video CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray Discs, Computer and Video Game software)
• Unlicensed Pins, Wall Scrolls, Toys, Plush, Pillows, Models (Resin or Vinyl kits), Decals, Stickers, and Posters that are not properly marked and labeled with the appropriate copyright information
• Themed apparel from unlicensed work
  • Hats, Headbands, Shirts, Reusable Face Masks, etc
• Weapons
  • Real metal, throwing, and firing weapons
• Adult Materials
  • Non-Anime Cosplay and Manga Material

18+ Area Here in the Exhibit Hall, we are working towards a more family friendly area where parents can bring their children without fear of seeing things that are inappropriate for their age group, as well as creating a comfortable environment for everyone. As such, Kawaii Kon has a new art policy as it pertains to 18+ material.  

18+ Policy: In the main Ex Hall, all images and merchandise must ensure no lewd or sexually explicit content is visible. "Lewd" is defined as any content that is sexually suggestive, indecent, or intended to cause sexual arousal. This policy includes but is not limited to the following : adult material, nudity and partial nudity (for the purposes of this provision, the following definitions apply - Nudity means total absence of clothing or covering for the human body. - Partial Nudity means exposure of the female breast or the exposure of the male or female pubic area or buttocks.) sexually suggestive poses, excessive gore, or excessive violence, and pornography or otherwise excessive sexuality (hentai, yaoi, yuri) as it pertains to art. These include both artistic and photographic types. This policy applies to both visual artwork and physical merchandise. Non-lewd explicit content may be allowed, but if your product doesn't meet these guidelines you must modify it to ensure compliance from all angles. Temporary fixes such as post-it notes are not allowed. Any product that doens't meet these standards must be hidden and cannot be accessible to minors. Artwork can be in a binder or portfolio folder and handed to customers once ID has been verified. Merchandise items such as erotic body pillows, wall scrolls, etc. must be sold in a similar manner as artwork. A catalog binder with images of the items available for sale can be handed to customers once ID has been verified. Photo ID is still required to be able to view and access these items outside of the curtained area. Should a vendor be caught disregarding this new policy, they will be given a single warning. Upon second instance, they will be asked to close the shop immediately and leave at the end of the day.  To provide a safe environment, Kawaii Kon is introducing a new 18+ section that will be curtained off from the public domain. Government issued photo id will be required as proof of age to be able to enter this age restricted area. Inside this curtained area is open sell, no covering of materials is required. Displays extending above the curtain height, must show only materials that would otherwise be allowed in the main vendor area as per the above guidelines.

Food Vendors -Policy All food items must ultimately be granted approval for sale by the Hawaii Convention Center.  Vendors interested in selling these types of items will be sent a separate application for the Convention Center food and Catering Department, as well as be provided with the link for food vending Permits for the State of Hawaii.  Vendors who do not get prior approval for food sales will risk immediate ejection from the event and/or fines from the convention center. 

COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines We request that all participants of Kawaii Kon please be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We have not yet determined our exact COVID-19 policies, but VENDORS must follow all sanitation protocols established for the convention such as wearing a mask and using hand sanitizer. We will provide updates via email and upon checking in. If you are feeling sick the week of the convention or have been exposed and are not vaccinated, please stay home. We will transfer your table to next year. ITS COMPLICATED is not responsible in any manner for any risks related to COVID-19 in connection with the event. The World Health Organization has classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic and that COVID-19 is a highly contagious and dangerous disease, and that contact with the virus that causes COVID-19 may result in significant personal injury or death regardless of vaccination status. Kawaii Kon is complying with all state, local, and Hawai’i Convention Center safety protocols regarding COVID-19.  For more information regarding the Safe Oahu Response Plan (formerly Honolulu’s Tier System), please visit the Safe Oahu website HERE:https://www.oneoahu.org/safe-oahu-response-plan

This Document forms the basis of an agreement between ITS COMPLICATED, LLC, and the vendors who wish to sell merchandises or services at Kawaii Kon, herein known as Vendors. ITS COMPLICATED, LLC is the host organizer and promoter of entertainment conventions and services. Vendors in the business of buying and selling certain printed, audio, and visual material hereinafter designated as the Property identified and described as follows: video tapes, audio tapes, comic books, magazines, electronic media, CD, DVD, and other materials associated with Film/Motion picture, Animation, Comics, Manga, Video games and all associated periodicals with in stated and unstated genres. The term ITS COMPLICATED, LLC shall be termed to mean the individual or individuals assigned by the board of directors of ITS COMPLICATED, LLC as Vendors’ Room Liaisons. Vendor shall be fully responsible to pay for any and all damages to property owned by the Hawaii Convention Center or ITS COMPLICATED, LLC or their owners or managers, which results from any act or omission of Vendor. Vendor agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless, Hawaii Convention Center, ITS COMPLICATED, LLC, and their respective owners, managers, officers or directors, agents, employees, subsidiaries and affiliates, from any damages or charges resulting from Vendor’s use of the property. Vendor’s liability shall include, without limitation, all losses, costs, damages, or expenses arising from or out of or by reason of any accident or bodily injury or other occurrences to any person or persons, including the Vendor, its agents, employees, and business invitees which arise from or out of the Vendor’s occupancy and use of the exhibition premises, Hotel or any part thereof. ITS COMPLICATED, LLC has contracted with the Hawaii Convention Center (herein known as ‘venue’) and pursuant to the terms of that contract has the authority to provide a conference room and vendor tables for the convention. ITS COMPLICATED, LLC shall be responsible for all monies owed to ‘venue’ pursuant to the terms of its contract therewith. Vendor hereby enters into a contract with ITS COMPLICATED, LLC for vendor space at the show or show. ITS COMPLICATED, LLC shall be responsible for coordinating with ‘venue’ the preliminary setup for the convention. Vendor agrees to contact ‘venue’ for any usage of telephone access and electricity in the exhibit hall, and will pay for any charges, if any. ITS COMPLICATED, LLC will not be held liable for any fees for electricity and/or telephone access in the exhibit hall.
ITS COMPLICATED, LLC agrees to provide roughly 10’ x 10’ vendor booths and Exhibitor Memberships to the convention.
ITS COMPLICATED, LLC agrees to be responsible for promoting the show. ITS COMPLICATED, LLC makes no representations as to the number of attendees and/or customers who will be in attendance.
Subletting of tables is not permitted.
Each application will be processed on a first come-first service basis.
Vendor shall be responsible for the actual setup and breakdown of its displays, loading and unloading their own materials, and cleanup of their assigned booth space. This includes dismantling of displays, packing and transporting materials, and disposing of any refuse or unwanted items.  Vendors who do not properly clear their booth space by the close of the convention may be subject to a fine of up to $500.
ITS COMPLICATED, LLC shall not be liable for any loss or damage to Vendor’s property or for any personal injury suffered by Vendor or any of its agents.
There is to be no smoking or otherwise burning of objects within the Vendors’ Room at any time.
All vendors shall have a signed copy of the ITS COMPLICATED, LLC Vendor Exhibition Contract (this document) on file with ITS COMPLICATED, LLC. No vendor shall be allowed to sell merchandise or services at the convention facility without having a signed copy of file with ITS COMPLICATED, LLC. The convention facility shall be deemed to mean any function space used by the VENUE.
Selling of items by Vendors on convention grounds, which includes the stated event location and adjoining facilities, their parking lots, other than the Vendors’ Room or any other designated area noted by ITS COMPLICATED, LLC is NOT allowed during the weekend of any ITS COMPLICATED, LLC event. This includes the selling of items inside Hotel rooms, lobby, or its facilities. Vendors who fail to comply will be ejected without warning and without refund.
Vendors may play audio devices at moderate volume. ITS COMPLICATED, LLC reserves the right to determine the definition of ‘moderate volume.’ Furthermore, ITS COMPLICATED, LLC also reserves the right as to what audio content may be played during the hours of operation of the Vendors’ Room.
All vendors must claim their booth space before Friday April 24 at 6:00 PM. Booths which have not been claimed by that time may be resold at the sole discretion of ITS COMPLICATED, LLC. Vendor agrees to hold the convention harmless for any lost investments or revenues as a result of either (a) unclaimed or (b) cancelled tables.
All vendors certify that they have complied with all federal, state, and local policies regarding the collection of any and all required taxes.
All vendors certify that have complied with all federal, state, and local policies regarding obtaining valid licenses required to participate as a vendor.
All vendors will obey federal, state, and local laws and ordinances regarding the sale of material that, intentionally or unintentionally, infringes upon the trademarks or copyrights of another party. Any vendor selling materials which infringes upon the trademark or copyright of another party may be ejected without warning and without refund. ITS COMPLICATED, LLC reserves the right to inspect and/or eject questionable material at any time. This includes, but is not limited to, the following products or companies: Bootlegged videos Fan-subbed videos Bootlegged (burned) audio CDs, VCDs, and DVDs Burned or Bootleg video games (e.g. PlayStation, Dreamcast) Bootleg Carts (e.g. Nintendo GBA)
Banned Items
These items cannot be sold under any circumstances at Kawaii Kon:
Any goods and services deemed illegal under the laws of the United States of America, the state of Hawai‘i and the City and County of Honolulu.
Unlicensed pins, Wall Scrolls, Toys, Plush, Pillows, Models (Resin or Vinyl kits), Decals, Stickers, and Posters that are not properly marked and labeled with the appropriate copyright information
Themed apparel from unlicensed work (Hats, Headbands, Shirts, Reusable Face Masks, etc)
Weapons (Real metal, throwing, and firing weapons)
Vendors shall not display material that is deemed offensive or inappropriate. ITS COMPLICATED, LLC has the sole right to determine what is or is not offensive or inappropriate. Vendors who continue to display material which has been deemed to be offensive or inappropriate may be ejected without warning and without refund. Furthermore, vendors shall not sell any offensive or inappropriate materials to minors who are under the age of eighteen (18) years of age. Vendors who sell such materials to minors shall be ejected without warning and without refund. Failure to comply is immediate grounds for ejection without warning and without refund.
All ejected vendors are still subject to state law in which the ITS COMPLICATED, LLC sponsored event resides with regards to tax collection.
Only those vendors with Exhibitor Memberships will be allowed in the room during set-up, closing, and takedown times. Only those with Exhibitor Memberships will be allowed behind vendor tables at any time.
Vendors are expected to follow the same rules of behavior as the rest of the convention attendees during off-hours. Any Vendor ejected from the convention during those hours must leave immediately the next morning during the set-up time.
Vendors will have thirty (30) minutes to close down for the night each evening. After the thirty minutes, the room will be locked. Under no circumstances will it re-open until the posted time the next morning.
Vendor is responsible for providing their own insurance, if desirable, to protect Vendor and Vendor’s property from damage, loss, theft, harm or injury. Neither ITS COMPLICATED, LLC nor ‘VENUE’ will obtain insurance on Vendor’s behalf. Vendor is solely responsible for its own company exhibited material, goods, samples, and other property.
Upkeep of Vendor’s booth, merchandise, and refuse is responsibility of the Vendor.  Failure to properly dispose of refuse during or after the convention may result in a fine of up to $500.
All displays, chairs, tables and merchandise must be maintained within Vendor’s designated area.
Vendor agrees that the handling, viewing, and sale of adult-themed merchandise (“Hentai”, “Ecchi”, “Yaoi,” “ Yuri”) will be restricted to persons of age 18 and older and that they are responsible for verification of age before any sale. Vendor agrees to bag/package said merchandise in an opaque bag upon sale. In addition, adult themed- merchandise must be displayed in a manner that restricts access from the general public. Video displays of adult- themed merchandise are not allowed.
Vendor will hold harmless ITS COMPLICATED, LLC and event facilities or any of their respective officers, agents, employees, representatives or affiliates, from any liability, damage, loss, harm, claim, or injury to property or person of the Vendor, Vendor officers, agents, employees or other persons, whether caused by the negligence of ITS COMPLICATED, LLC or event facilities, or from theft, fire, water, accident, or any other cause whatsoever that are not covered under ITS COMPLICATED, LLC’s standard insurance policy.
ITS COMPLICATED, LLC reserves the right to make changes or amend the contract and has the final say on all matters pertaining to the use and function of the Vendors’ Room during the run of the show.
Any promotional fees from a Vendor, Vendor, and/or persons representing a company involved with related industry must be presented to the CEO upfront and in writing.
The addition of any extra charges to be incurred ( i.e. Phone, Drayage ) Will be made available via an addendum provided by ITS COMPLICATED, LLC upon request or until an updated information is made available to vendors. 
Vendor agrees that pictures may be taken of their staff and booth setup to be used for promotional reasons of ITS COMPLICATED, LLC.