Table Information

 

An Artist applying to the Pro Plaza may not hold a waitlist spot, or table spot in The Artist Alley OR The Dealer’s Room. Additionally, an artist who accepts a table or waitlist spot within the Pro Plaza will not be able to move into another section at a later date, including to become a Secondary Artist or Helper without removing themselves first. Please note that applications will be considered in the order they are received; this means that if you have applied to the Pro Plaza and then apply to the Artist Alley only your Pro Plaza application will be considered 

Pro Plaza tables will support a maximum of one (1) artist and up to two (2) helpers per table. Pro Plaza tables do not support Secondary Artists.

As of Anime North 2024, Art Groups/Duos will be allowed to apply to Pro Plaza on a limited basis (see below for details).

As of Anime North 2022 Pro Plaza spaces will have the option of not containing a table and will be a pipe-and-drape setup with a 10’ x 6’ square footage space and a complimentary 2’ x 8’ table. 

Pro Plaza Spaces include a maximum of three (3) chairs and up to three (3) Non-transferrable Exhibitor badges. Should you decline to have a table in your space, there will be a deadline to do so included in your invitation email.

Please note: badges must be worn and visible at all times even if the individual is cosplaying, and belong to the individual wearing it.  Failure to display your badge properly can result in your removal from the section.

• Table with a convention badge costs: $452 CAD ( Base cost $400 + 13%HST)

Sign-in: Friday, May 23, 2025 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Please advise the Pro Plaza Coordinator if you are unable to arrive during this time. No-shows by 11:00 AM EST on Saturday will have their tables reassigned.

Tables may ONLY be set up by the primary artist and his/her/their helper(s). You may not bring in non-artists (i.e. anyone without an artist badge and ribbon) to help you set up. If additional help is needed, volunteers designated by the Pro Plaza Staff will be available during setup.

Open access to convention attendees (times are subject to change):

• Friday, May 23, 2025: 5:00 PM — 10:00 PM EST
• Saturday, May 24, 2025: 10:00 AM — 8:00 PM EST
• Sunday, May 25, 2025: 10:00 AM — 5:00 PM EST

Sign-in information will be supplied to the artist participants in their application package. Please review it carefully once you receive it.

On Sunday you will have a MAXIMUM of one hour after closing to tear down your displays and vacate the premises. If you are present after this time frame, you risk the ability to apply to any position in the Exhibitors area in the future.

Please note that Exhibitors sections of Anime North no longer accept Ontario Health Cards as identification. The Ontario Photo Card is an acceptable ID.

Artist Helper

Individuals in the Pro Plaza may register a maximum of two (2) helpers to their table for an additional badge/registration fee. Helpers may not represent or sell their own body of work or merchandise and are there for the purpose of assisting with the sales of the one (1) artist registered and permitted to sell at the table.

• Helper badge costs: $70 CAD
• Additional Helper badge (maximum of one): $70 CAD

Please note that your helper(s) must also submit a registration package; details for this will be included should you receive an invitation to the Pro Plaza.

You will not be able to register a helper after the cut off date, so please keep this in mind when planning your application.The cut off date for Helper registration will be sent to you after your acceptance to the section.

Tablecloths

As of Anime North 2024 tablecloths will no longer be available to rent in the Pro Plaza. A limited number of tablecloths will be available for purchase for $5, on a first come first serve basis. You will be responsible for the tablecloth after you purchase it, and it will be considered littering if you abandon it Sunday without proper disposal. Littering of your table area can impair your ability to apply to Exhibitors sections in the future.

Art Groups

As of Anime North 2024 the Pro Plaza will allow up to three (3) Art Groups/Duos to attend. An Art Group is defined as a set of artists representing their own intellectual property, with no non-original or AI generated art involved. A maximum of two (2) members of the group may be present on pre-registered Art Group tables; no exceptions will be made for additional helpers so keep this in mind. Collaboration release forms will be required for all members not present at the convention.

You must pre-register your Art Group/Duo status; a section will be provided in the application form to do so. Only one (1) application will be permitted per group; multiple applications will not be considered. Should your group be found to have submitted multiple applications, all applications will be removed from consideration.

Please note that the Pro Plaza Coordinator reserves the right to review your status as an Art Group and decline your application if it is felt that you are misrepresenting yourself.

Terms and Conditions

Each artist who wishes to apply to the Pro Plaza must:

1. Represent their own body of work and not act as a proxy or representative for another artist. Presenting or using someone else's work is an act of fraud and will result in the immediate forfeiture of your table and the denial of future applications to the artist areas.
• Not represent characters, logos, names, or otherwise that are not their own original creations and/or represent someone else’s copyright and/or intellectual property, including works with a mix of original and non-original IP.
2. Possess signed release forms from any and all contributing artists (please note: if your work is not representative of 60% of the finished product you may not sell it in the Pro Plaza. All items for sale are ultimately at the discretion of the Pro Plaza Coordinator)
• If you are selling an item whose contributing artist is also registered to the Pro Plaza please note that the item may only be available for sale in one (1) Pro Plaza space
• If you have work including contributions from other artists please request a collab form and bring the signed copy with you to sign in
• If you are registered as an Art Group you must possess signed collab forms from all members in order to sell your shared works at the convention
3. Be 18 years of age by January 1, 2025 and in possession of a Government-Issued Photo ID (e.g. driver’s license, passport, etc.) on May 23, 2025 proving as such for the sign-in process. Please be aware that using false identification or lending your ID to someone else during sign-in is an act of fraud (please see Term 1 on this list)
• If you have concerns about your ID please contact the Pro Plaza Coordinator immediately
4. Not sell prohibited merchandise in the Pro Plaza; Please note that this includes off site presale of any and all merchandise prohibited in the Pro Plaza

Displays

Artists may set up their reserved space as they see fit as long as it is safe, stable, does not interfere with other artists’ spaces, and/or violate any Anime North nor Toronto Congress Centre regulations.

Displays must:

• Be limited to the reserved space/area provided by the convention
• Not overhang into other Artists' tables, doorways, corridors, safety exits or any other area outside the reserved space
• Not be taller than 10 feet from the ground, including the table height. As of Anime North 2024 you may also include displays behind your table, as long as they do not encroach on neighbors space, block exits out of the booth area, and are on the floor and able to stand under their own power
• Not include any “gambling” elements for marketing; this includes but is not limited to game wheels, slot machines, or similar random chance programs run on personal computers
• Not include any type of balloons; Balloons are not permitted inside the venue and may not be used for displays. You will be asked to remove these from the premises immediately, and pay for any fines issued by the venue.
• Not involve drilling holes, driving nails, hooks, screws or tacks, or making any alterations to any part of the Centre or its equipment
• Not depend on signage in common areas; signage includes but is not limited to: directional signage, promotional signage, backdrops for the space being used, etc. Should you wish to pay for advertising opportunities, speak to the Director of Anime North.

In general wall/glass surfaces are not to have anything attached to them by tacks, pins, tape (or by any other means).

If your display falls or harms another participant or attendee, you will be asked to take the display down immediately. If your display is deemed unstable, dangerous, or is not supporting its own weight you will be asked to take it down. 

Display of Adult Material

Exhibitors may NOT display material depicting nudity or sexual conduct unless it is covered or displayed in such a way that minors cannot view explicit material. Adult material must not be accessible to minors in any way. No adult material may be sold, given, or distributed to a minor. The acceptability of displays of adult material is at the sole discretion of the Pro Plaza Coordinator. Display content (such as images and signage) must not be derogatory in nature (i.e. racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise offensive to the general public).

This rule applies to all artwork on display at your table. Thus, you may NOT display any commission work that violates the above restrictions.

Approval of Adult Material

If you are selling any work in this category, you are required to bring a display copy of your work, as well as a copy to be added to your file to the Exhibitor Staff table where your work will be stamped with an 18+ or PG13 rating.

• If your work received an 18+ rating  (fully see-through clothing, partial or full nudity, overtly sexual positions or situations), it cannot be openly displayed on the table or be within the reach of minors. Such works can only be viewed by individuals over the age of 18 upon presentation of a valid photo ID. Please note that showing and/or selling items which contain adult content to minors is punishable by law.
• If your work received a PG13 rating (tight, semi-see through or revealing clothing, suggestive positions or situations), you may openly display it on your table.

The stamp allows security and convention attendees to know that your work has been approved for display by the Pro Plaza Coordinator. Please make use of this procedure to avoid problems during the convention as failing to do so may result in the loss of your table.

Conduct

All participants are expected to respect and abide by both the Anime North Convention Policies and the Pro Plaza Policy and Contract Agreement for 2025. Anime North convention policies can be accessed through the Information tab on animenorth.com. Failure to abide by these policies will result in immediate loss of any Pro Plaza privileges, loss of membership, and expulsion from the convention. If you have any concerns during the convention, please bring them to the attention of the Pro Plaza Coordinator and/or Exhibitor Staff.
Please note that Anime North reserves the right to revoke or deny the application of individuals with records of serious offenses in any of our artist areas from previous years.

Behavior not acceptable in the Pro Plaza includes but is not limited to:

• Selling or subletting the use of the rented table to another individual;
• Selling your artist admission to another individual;
• Lending your artist or helper admission badge to another individual
• Taking chairs from other artists or areas;
• Allowing someone not registered to the Pro Plaza to sell at your table;
• Breach of any of the con policies including but not limited to those governing fire exit, maximum capacities, harassment, PDA, and damages to convention reputation, other attendees, staff and volunteers, or facilities;
• Applying for or signing in for a Pro Plaza space under a name not your own;
• Posing as a registered artist by use of their identification with or without permission. This is a case of fraud and/or theft, and is punishable by law;
• Offensive emails to Anime North Staff members, mass trolling (continuous posts of offensive messages) directed to Anime North Staff members in electronic forums.

Please respect your peers, your audience, your space, and our staff and volunteers. Help us make sure that you have a smooth Anime North experience.
Reservations for Pro Plaza tables are allocated at the sole discretion of the Anime North Pro Plaza Team. Anime North is in no way obligated to provide tables to any person, persons, or group, and reserves the right to decline applications from any person, persons, or group which have violated the Code of Conduct specified above.
All complaints, conflicts, or discrepancies concerning the Pro Plaza Staff and/or another Artist should be directed to and only to the Pro Plaza Coordinator.

Liability and Responsibility

Exhibitors are responsible for reading the information stated here in full, and for making sure they understand it before they apply. Anime North, Exhibitors and Pro Plaza staff and volunteers are in no way responsible for your failure to read these stated policies.

Exhibitors are responsible for their own property, merchandise, and money. Under no circumstances will either Anime North or its agents be liable for loss or damages including but not limited to merchandise, equipment, sales, or revenue. The Toronto Congress Centre will be locked at the end of every night; however it is the responsibility of the artists/exhibitors to look after and ensure safe storage of their personal property.

Neither Anime North, nor its agents, nor its partners are in any way responsible for injury caused by chairs, ladders, tables, stairs, or personal negligence. Exhibitors understand that they are responsible for their own safety and agree to release Anime North from any and all liability concerning lost goods and monies, or injuries by agreeing to participate as an artist or helper in the Pro Plaza.

Please be aware,  thefts at North American Cons has seen an increase in the last few years. Keep your valuables close to you at all times and if you see something concerning alert Staff immediately. Do not approach individuals on your own, alert staff and/or Public Safety

Refund Policy

As of Anime North 2018 the Pro Plaza will no longer be offering refunds on canceled tables, artist, or helper badges. If you have any questions regarding this section please contact the Pro Plaza Coordinator at [email protected]

If you have a COVID-19 concern please contact us at the above email.