Organizing a Successful Multivendor Fair: Any Tips?

[katie0128]

I have a friend who is thinking about organizing a multivendor fair to raise money for her church's youth group. She is thinking about asking vendors to donate a % of commissions vs. charging a fee for table space. She was also thinking about giving each vendor 15-30 minutes of "spotlight" time to do a talk/demo/etc.
I have only done one multivendor fair and it wasn't organized very well. Does anyone have any ideas how to do this? Even though this isn't my church, the organizer is a good friend, so I'm sure I'll end up helping her...

 

[DebbieJ]

I would charge a fee. That way they know what they're getting.

 

[hoosierchef]

And to make sure the organization gets their money! It would be easy to skip out on that. I know most people are honest, but you never know......

 

[speedychef]

I've done a few of these and for one, we didn't pay, but provided a few door prizes and they sold raffle tickets. The other, we paid $30 each. I think that's better because I didn't get enough orders that they would have gotten $30 with a fundraiser...

 

[lsm72]

I have such a hard time trusting people. Make sure you know for a fact that your hard earned money is going towards the church. I've been asked to take part in a similar type of function but not for charity - just multi-vendor. I still haven't decided if I'm going to participate.

 

[tlennhoff]

The one's I've been doing a table cost $10 and then they also want either 10 or 15% of sales.

 

[katie0128]

I have such a hard time trusting people. Make sure you know for a fact that your hard earned money is going towards the church. I've been asked to take part in a similar type of function but not for charity - just multi-vendor. I still haven't decided if I'm going to participate.

The organizer is a good friend of mine and is very involved with the youth group. Regardless of how we do the $, I suggested that she tell vendors to make checks out to the church (and to not accept cash from vendors) that way there is no question where the money is going!

 

[MGG]

I would advise your friend to instead ask each vendor to donate a gift to be used in a silent auction that goes to benefitting the church. Muti-vendor fairs are fabulous if each vendor is truly dedicated to their business and has a good client base to invite.