By "comapny" I mean "major corporation," such as Bandai or Toei. Of course, it's difficult to draw the line between small company and massive company, but the purpose of most art alleys is to showcase the work created by the natives (in my case, Americans). And then from there, some conventions also go further and limit what types of goods you can sell, such as "only doujin-related paper goods" or "no food" etc, but I've only encountered that limitation at one convention so far, actually.
Anime Boston and Otakon both allowed all kinds of goods (clothes, software, doujins, music CDs, cat ears, fanart etc, as long as it wasn't porn or food -- this was because they had a company/convention grounds that had signed for exclusive food distribution rights).
Keep in mind that vender tables are significantly more expensive than the artist alley tables even if they're usually given fairly equal showcasing opportunities. You will also be surrounded by a lot of professional products and it may make your setup look pretty pathetic in comparison.
How much does Dealer's Hall space cost, and what does it cover?
Otakon has one of the largest dealer spaces in the business, with thousands of people passing through every hour; with 700+ booth spaces we almost always sell out long before the con, and frequently have a lengthy waiting list. While you should always check the posted rates, historically the typical 10x10 booth space has cost ~$750. That includes the booth and basic decorator setup, as well as two dealer badges that offer full membership rights. Dealers may also purchase additional member badges at the pre-reg rate ($55 in 2008) for their employees. While it may seem expensive at first glance, the majority of this fee goes to cover the cost of the hall, its setup, and the union labor rates we must pay. Other decorator services and utilities must be arranged through the BCC's official channels; more information will be available in the dealer info packet.
How much does a space in the Alley cost, and what does it cover?
Otakon's Alley is one of the largest of its kind in the entire U.S., and offers artists a unique chance to get their creations seen by Otakon's massive membership. Approximately 250 tables are available and we typically sell out within a few days; however, because most of the people renting tables are not full-time professionals, there is a fairly good chance that space will open up, and thus we maintain a healthy waiting list. The Alley is open only to pre-registered members, and thus table fees do NOT include any member badges. Historically, the price per-table (for a 6-foot table) was $70 if paid for in advance, and $80 if paid at the convention. That fee includes the table itself, two chairs, and a table skirt so you can stash your stuff. This does NOT include electricity, but you can order if from the BCC for a fee -- see the official packet when it is released for more information.
I can't see selling your average lemmasoft game bringing in a +$750 profit over one weekend at otakon, even if you offered a very very wide variety of games. They're barely on par with a badly drawn amateur doujin sold in the art alley, and even those guys sell for practically nothing ($3-$10 dollars for a 10-40 page comic).
However, it is a little more feasable that OP might balance out the cost of vending at a $70 art alley table.
NOT THAT THE OP ASKED ABOUT THIS ANYWAY. I'd assume he or she has his or her own plans to world domination.
My recommendation for OP still stands. Consult conventions, not here.
Even though it's probably not what you actually meant, it really shouldn't be phrased that way on the summary.
