Vendor Fair Questions

The one I'll be attending in Dec has asked a group that raises funds for cancer patients (pay for gas to and from the DR) to put on a chili feed. They always draw lots of people.
By having them serve lunch, gives people another reason to get out and attend the event.
good luck

Definitely space! I hate the ones I've been to where you barely have room to move. As a vendor getting the best bang for my buck...I hated to sit all day at a table I payed for only have a few people come by. So location and timing is everything. If your vendors will have to order items for shoppers be sure to do it early enough that it will be here in time for Christmas without making customers panic. I love when its a warm welcoming relaxed enviroment, unlike most craft shows I've been to where its about how much you can cram in. I'd love more info on what you're doing. And the best thing to do is get the word out, emails (if you or your kids are on facebook create an event listing), the pennysaver, fliers. Good luck and hope it goes well for you!

Hi L.!
I'd be interested in discussing the vendor fair--both to give insight as a past vendor, as well as to get more information on participating! Please call me? ###-###-#### (home). I'll be out today (Sunday 9/21) at an event, but home in the evening.

Thanks!
Jen

L.,
I have always held a "Customer Appreciation Sale" in December. I invite other vendors (and we all invite our past hostesses and guests) and offer cash and carry, door prize drawings and one vendor even offered "sratch and dent." Small, easy to walk around with snacks is always a plus if possible.
Good luck!
J. L.

I go to Spearfish in the Park in Spearfish South Dakota and they always have a good amount of venders with a wide varity of crafts. They have loads of good food and it goes on for 2 and half days. I don't know what the tables pay for it, but since it is a big annual event, I am sure it would be a good price on the tables.

This is the first year I am going to try to sell crafts at a craft show in my town. The tables are $10 apiece and they usually have around 8 or 9 booths. It is put on by the senior citizens center and they always serve great Indian tacos and homemade pie and baked goods. I think they would do better on a Saturday but they always do theirs on a friday in October, probably because they don't want to work on saturdays.

If it is something you plan on doing each year, I would advertize it that way. L.'s 1st annual craft fair will let the venders know that they are working up a clientell (sp) for your area and they will be more willing to come. It also lets the locals and semi locals know that you will be doing this each year and they will be more willing to come see what it is all about.

Good luck.

I think people really enjoy door prizes... It's nice when a few of the vendors are willing to give something as a prize. Some of the craft fairs/bridal fairs I've been to did drawing for prizes every 2 hours or so. It's something to get people in the door and even hang around longer shopping while they wait for the drawings.
Best of luck.

I would agree with the other posters here. Keep the fee to have a table very small, keep your space open enough that it doesn't feel too crowded, and make sure you do enough publicity! I dislike going to a place where I only get a couple sales, so getting people in the door is key. And, as one person said, making sure it is early enough in the month to place product orders with no fear of not getting them before Christmas.
I would be interested in attending as a vendor, if you are in my area. You can email me at ____@____.com. I am a rep for Usborne Books, and I offer both orders and cash-carry items. I am in Western Wisc, but also do events in Eastern MN. Good luck!

Hi L.:
I also host an event called Shop til You Drop at my childrens' grade school the first weekend in Dec. Our big draw is pictures with Santa and we also have each vendor donate a door prize. If yours is at your kids' grade school, you can get the brownies involved with a back sale or gift wrap. I'd be happy to chat more about it...just email me.

I agree the best for vendors is a good location and lots of people. I'm an Arbonne consultant and would be interested if you still need vendors.

As for a shoppers perspective, lots of options and good giveaways.

Good luck with your event!
N.

I agree with the other posts also if you would like to advertise it in our Women's Directory please feel free to call me ###-###-#### we have it on-line and in our directory. That is a great way to get outsiders to come to a new event. My name is S. and would love to talk to you about it more.

Thanks

S.

Hi L.
On our bazaars,We charge a flat fee and ask that each vendor to donate an item or gift certificate from their business for a raffle and then whoever picks their prize that is one contact for the vendor. We also serve lunch and at the last two shows we have had a high school kid wanting to raise money for a trip so they have done a bake sale. Let me know if you have any other questions and if you need vendors please give me a call at ###-###-#### I maybe interested or if you have any further questions about it. Good Luck

I have been a vendor and a guest at these types of events. As a shopper I was drawn to it because of all the different vendors in one place at one time. It really is a way for one stop shopping!! As a vendor, what I did not like was that we were spread out in three rooms which didn't work out so well for the vendors in the back corner room. Shoppers didn't really know that down the hall was another room with more vendors. If you have to spread the vendors out in different areas, please make big signs to direct shoppers so no vendor goes unnoticed. Good luck and have fun.

Freebies, good deals, give away drawings, something fun and different to draw you in - Santa, a good meal, freebies for the first certain number of customers, face paints or balloons for the kids, etc. Space to shop and bring a stroller with out running people over and getting dirty looks. Something to keep the kids entertained/interested. Free stuff and really good deals!!
S.
mom of 3, daycare provider, and fair lover!

I have been a vendor and I have attended vendor fairs. I think one major key that I haven't read yet, but might have missed, is variety. I think that the more different kind of vendors you have the bigger the turn out you will have. Then even if they are not interested in everything right now they may see something that they will need in the future and your vendor can still make a contact even if there is not a sale made that day. I can help come up with different types of things to sell and depending on where you live I know many vendors. I no longer sell anything myself but I have parties and know some good people to have. I am in Hudson, WI so if you are even within an hours drive or so and want names, or even if you want idea's of different kinds of companies please feel free to email me ____@____.com I check my emails fairly often. If you use the term Vendor Fair in the subject line I will know not to delete you.

Good luck

Sher

Most of what was already said is good to keep in mind, I just wanted to add if you're looking for vendors, please e-mail me and let me know...I'm always looking for fairs to be a part of!
~A.