A while ago Gary and I had dinner with
friends of ours. They were in town (Cobourg) to attend the Cobourg Highland
Games as vendors. During our meal the conversation naturally turned to
festivals and how they treat their vendors. Our friends commented on how
differently each event treats their vendors. Some treat vendors as partners,
while others treat them as a necessary evil! As a vendor I certainly know which
festivals I would be selling my merchandise at! I believe that if a festival or
event is going to have merchants as part of the event, they should attract the
very best and then treat them like gold! They are the ones who pay the booth
fees and attract the crowds to the events! For many festivals they are the main
attraction! Festival organizers should realize that the better the quality of
vendors they have at their event, the more people they will attract. It’s a big
circle! Good vendors attract good attendees. Great vendors attract great and
more attendees! Ones who will be willing to spend money! The more people spend,
the more vendors earn. The more the vendors earn, the more an event can charge
them. Successful vendors are willing to pay “fair” booth fees. More money to go
back into the community! And remember, attendees and vendors TALK! Attendees
tell their friends and their friends tell their friends! It’s called the
“rippling effect”. Bad news travels fast! As for vendors, they also talk.
Vendors love to network. This may come as a surprise to some festival
organizers, but vendors, especially the more experienced ones, talk to one
another regularly! They know which festivals are the best to attend for sales.
They know which festivals treat their vendors well and who treat them poorly!
Any festival that wants to become and stay successful should be acutely aware
of these realities and plan their festivals accordingly! Here are vendor
friendly five tips:
1. Provide a “booth sitting”
service
2. Provide vendor only washrooms
and a clean-up area
3. Provide “food delivery”
service
4. Have a rest area for vendors
and their staff where they can relax and snooze in peace
5.
Provide
vendor only parking areas
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