Contact: Cindy Cooper 724-368-9605
Whether you are a veteran Pennsic merchant or a prospective new merchant, this site will be helpful in answering your questions about the Pennsic Marketplace.
General Information
- Marketplace Selling Dates
- Merchant Selling Hours
- Tax License Information
- Advertising in the Merchant Booklet
- Attention caterers and camps hiring caterers
- General Liability Insurance Requirements
FAQs
Merchants at Pennsic are by invitation only.
- How do I become a merchant?
- When do merchant applications get mailed?
- When is the deadline for mailing back merchant applications?
- My membership expires after the deadline. What should I do?
- Can I make a copy of the merchant application?
- When can I start shipping merchandise to Pennsic?
- What shipping address should I use?
- Are gate fees included in my merchant fees?
General Information
Marketplace Selling Dates
The Marketplace opens for business on Monday, July 22nd 2013 7am. Merchants may begin selling at that time. You must be setup and operational by Saturday, July 27th 2013 7am. The marketplace closes and all sales must cease by Thursday, August 1st 2013 7pm.
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Merchant Selling Hours
Sunrise to 11pm (minimum of 8 hours daily)
All merchants are expected to participate in Midnight Madness during the hours of 8pm to 11pm on Wednesday, July 31st 2013.
During Midnight Madness, shops may be open until 1am on Thursday.
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Tax License Information
All Pennsic merchants must have a Pennsylvania tax license. Apply for the license directly with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. If you have any questions please call the New Castle District Office at (724) 656-3203. They are familiar with this event and are very helpful.
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Advertising in the Merchant Booklet
Over 10,000 people from around the world attend Pennsic. Every person who attends is given an on-site merchant booklet. It is used as a shopping guide and quick merchant reference during Pennsic. It is also used as a contact for merchants outside Pennsic.
| Advertising Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Inside Cover (limited to first two requests): 7.5" wide X 9.75" high | $375 | |
| Full page: 7.5" wide X 9.75" high | $250 | |
| Half page: 3.625" wide X 9.75" high or 7.5" wide X 4.75" high | $150 | |
| Quarter page: 3.625" wide X 4.75" high | $100 | |
| Eighth page: 3.625" wide X 2.25" high | $50 | |
| Class/Demo at Booth Ads Submission must be a 275 character description or less | $10 | |
All ads are subject to approval by the merchant office. Ads must be camera-ready. A $10.00 setup fee will be charged for ads that have to be corrected or enhanced. May 1 is the deadline to submit ads.
If you are not a merchant at Pennsic and are interested in advertising in the on-site merchant booklet. Send a camera-ready ad (or email a digital ad) and send payment along with your business name, contact person, address, email address and phone number to:
Cindy Cooper
Merchant Office
111 Currie Road
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Make checks payable to: Cooper's Lake
If your ad is approved you will be contacted by the Merchant Office.
For more information please call (724)368-9605 or e-mail merchantoffice@cooperslake.com.
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Attention caterers and camps hiring caterers
Any camp or camper planning to have outside catered meal service must inform their caterer of the following:
- The caterer must be registered with the Merchant Office before July 1.
- The caterer must operate with a food license issued by the PA Department of Agriculture.
- Caterers who are not registered with the Merchant Office will be turned away at the gate.
To register and obtain more information, contact the Merchant Office.
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General Liability Insurance Requirements
All merchants are required to provide a certificate of insurance for their business. Insurance requirements must include:
- Additional Insurance Endorsement naming:
Cooper Lake Farms, Inc
205 Currie Road
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
(The endorsement must be written exactly as shown above) - Each occurrence limit: $1,000,000.00
- General Aggregate: $2,000,000.00
FAQs
How do I become a merchant?
If you did not merchant at the last Pennsic then you are a new merchant applicant.
On a plain 8.5" X 11" sheet of paper provide the following:
- Your business name
- Your legal name
- Your mailing address and phone number
- Brief overview or catalog of the merchandise you will be selling
- The latest time period you could be contacted about acceptance and still be able to merchant:
4-5 months
2-4 months
2-4 weeks
Many times new merchant spaces become available just weeks before the war. Keep in mind you must have enough product to sell for the entire 10 day period.
For proper consideration in the new merchant review, a prospective merchant needs to include more than a business web address. Please include:
- A letter describing involvement within the SCA
- Photographs or color copies of merchandise (and pavilion if applicable)
- Catalog or description of merchandise that would be sold at Pennsic
Mail the information to:
Merchant Office
Attn: New applicant
111 Currie Road
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
This information will be kept on file. You will receive a postcard informing you of your status. The deadline for receiving new merchant information is May 1.
Merchants are categorized in one of three levels:
- Level 1: Artisans making/selling only SCA specific*, hand-made items
- Level 2: Merchants making/selling only SCA specific* items
- Level 3: Merchants making/selling only SCA specific* or SCA related** items
* SCA specific: Items that can be documented from 500 - 1650 AD
** SCA related: Items with an SCA context/theme
New merchant applicants selling at the Level 1 category will be considered most favorably followed by levels 2 then 3. Merchandise not falling in the three categories would be given the least consideration. The selection process occurs in May. If you are accepted you will receive an application in the mail. If you are not accepted you will receive a letter stating so.
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When do merchant applications get mailed?
This does not apply to new merchants.
Merchants without a working email address will have a merchant application mailed to them after February 1st.
Merchants with a working email address will receive an email notification on February 1st to apply online (optional), or print out and mail the Pennsic Merchant Application.
If you have not received your merchant packet by mid-February, please e-mail the Merchant Office at merchantoffice@cooperslake.com.
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When is the deadline for mailing back merchant applications?
DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING MERCHANT APPLICATIONS AND PAYMENT OF MERCHANT FEES
March 31, 2013
Online registrations must be e-filed (submitted) and have merchant fees paid by this date.
OR
Mailed applications and checks must be received on or before this date.
March 31, 2013 postmarks are unacceptable.
New merchant information must arrive no later than May 1. New merchants who are accepted can receive an application anytime prior to Pennsic.
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My membership expires after the deadline. What should I do?
Send in the application and take the membership discount. When you receive your new membership card send a copy to the merchant office or bring it with you at merchant check-in. A newsletter mailing label will also be accepted as proof of membership.
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Can I make a copy of the merchant application?
No, with one exception. You may only make copies for your shared space applicants.
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When can I start shipping merchandise to Pennsic?
Monday, July 22nd 2013. Anything arriving before that date will be turned away. This service is provided to merchants only. Perishables will not be accepted.
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What shipping address should I use?
All packages should be addressed as follows:
'Your merchant business name'
Cooper's Lake Campground
205 Currie Road
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Do not include quotation marks. Please read the information in the rules and regulations sheet for deliveries.
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Are gate fees included in my merchant fees?
No, gate fees are separate and paid on arrival at Pennsic. To pre-register for Pennsic go to the Registration Office web page.
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