Information For Vendors

1. How do I apply to be a vendor?
2. How many vendors will be selected?
3. How competitive is the application process?
4. When will I know if I’m an accepted vendor?
5. What if I don’t get in?
6. What is the cost to become a vendor?
7. Is my application fee refundable if I change my mind?
8. What’s an ST-19 form and why do I need one?
9. How much space will I get?
10. Can I apply for a larger space?
11. Can I share a vendor table with a friend?
12. When can I see my space?
13. When do I set up for the sale?
14. Do I need my own table coverings?
15. What if I need an electrical outlet?
16. Is there wi-fi available at MGM?
17. Should I / How do I accept credit cards?
18. Have you planned an event like this before?
19. How do you plan to advertise/publicize the event?
20. What feedback have past shoppers given about No Coast?
21. What feedback have past vendors given about No Coast?
22. What tips did past participants have for other vendors?
23. This is my first show – what about pricing, display, etc.? I don’t even know where to start!
24. Whom do I contact with any other questions?

Submit your completed application, 3 to 5 digital photos (jpg, gif, etc. emailed to nocoastcraft@hotmail.com. cc: nocoastcraft@gmail.com as backup.) that are representative of your best work (sorry, no web sites, physical photos, slides, or CD-ROMs), and your non-refundable application fee of $10 (check payable to Crafters Local 612, c/o Crafty Planet, 2833 Johnson St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 –  or PayPal nocoastcraft@hotmail.com) by August 31, 2011. All applicants will be notified of their status by September 30, 2011.

Between 75 and 90 vendors will be selected to participate in No Coast Craft-o-rama 2011.

Last year we had over 300 applications for about 90 spots. This year we anticipate it will be a very competitive process. Some categories are more competitive than others; for instance, jewelry and purses are always extremely competitive, while last year the kids and letterpress/paper categories were more competitive than in previous years.

As always, we encourage you to carefully select the photos you submit, to show off your finest work at its best. In the description field, be sure to highlight what distinguishes you and your wares from the competition.

We plan to notify all applicants by September 30, 2011. Be sure to include your email address and phone number on your application so that we can keep you informed.
It is your responsibility to ensure that we have your most up-to-date email and other contact information, so that we can reach you. It is also your responsibility to check your email for messages from us. If for any reason you feel you should be hearing from us, and are not,
please feel free to contact us at nocoastcraft@hotmail.com anytime. We’ll be happy to follow up and let you know if you missed any communications.

Please remember that with up to three times as many applicants as we have spots, we cannot accept every vendor whose work we enjoy. We also reserve many spots each year for new vendors, to maintain high shopper interest and to pursue our mission of supporting new and emerging crafters–so previous vendors may not be accepted every year.

After we select an initial roster of vendors, we compile a “waitlist” of vendors in case we can find room — or in case any selected vendors have to cancel. If you aren’t selected in the first round, and would like to be placed on our waitlist, be sure to let us know how much notice you would need to participate (e.g., two weeks prior to the sale, etc.).

The total fee for vendors is $110 (split into $10 non-refundable application fee and a $100 vendor booth fee due upon acceptance) plus an optional $25 if you require a table and chairs (out of state vendors ONLY). Depending on demand, access to electricity may also require a fee. This will be determined before you have to submit your fees. All fees include Friday and Saturday. The $10 application fee is due by August 31 and must be received before your application can be considered, while the balance of the fee (plus table rental, if applicable) is due from accepted vendors by October 31, 2011. You can pay by check (payable to Crafters Local 612) or by PayPal (nocoastcraft@hotmail.com).

The $10 application fee (due August 31) is not refundable. Once you have been accepted and have paid the remaining balance of $100 (due October 31), the fees — including table rental, if applicable –are not refundable if you are unable to attend the show for any reason.

An ST-19 form is a form we are required to collect from each vendor. To fill it out you will need to register for a Minnesota State Tax ID number unless you sell only tax-exempt products (clothing, etc.). You cannot participate unless we have your form on file.

Each vendor space is 6′ deep x 8′ wide. You may set up your space in any configuration within that boundary. If you are an out of state vendor and need a table and chairs, you may rent a 2 ½’ by 6’ table with two chairs from us for $25. Otherwise you will need to provide your own display that fits inside the confines of the 6’ deep by 8’ wide space.

Generally, we do not allot more than one spot per vendor. You may request a special exception in a separate email to the organizers. If your request is accepted, you must pay $100 for each space in addition to the $10 application fee.

Yes, just include each participant in your application and list the products you will sell. The 3-5 photo limit is per vendor, with a maximum of ten photos total (even if there are three or more vendors represented at your booth). We must see at least one photo of each applicant’s work.

About a month before the show, we host a vendor Meet & Greet. We hand out the initial maps with vendor booth assignments, go over show basics, hand out posters and postcards for distribution, and so on. Vendors take the time to get to know each other, ask questions, and come to us with any concerns about their space or the event plan.

Yes, you must bring your own table coverings, signage, and other items for your space, with the exception of a table and chairs if renting a table from us (out of state vendors only). We have no coverage or signage requirements, though — just whatever you think works best for you.

Please note on your application if you need an electrical outlet. We will make our best attempt to accommodate your request, but cannot guarantee availability. Depending on demand, access to electricity may require a separate fee; you will be informed of this at the time of acceptance, and you will then have the option to accept or decline the fee.

While there are a few wifi spots scattered around MGM, you should not anticipate or rely on internet connectivity at your booth during the show.

Absolutely one of the most common pieces of advice experienced vendors give to their colleagues is: accept credit cards! This is a surefire way to boost sales, especially if the on-site ATMs run out of cash (as they have each year, albeit temporarily). Unfortunately, we cannot make those arrangements for you. A variety of options exist for accepting credit cards at shows; with a phone-based card approval system, you could potentially process the card transaction on the spot. Otherwise, you could use a card imprinter and slips for manual capture  on-site, then process the transactions afterward. While we cannot recommend any particular credit card merchant processing system, we know some vendors use ProPay and PayPal, among other processing systems, for their merchant accounts. Metro Cash Register in St. Paul has worked with many of our vendors for several years and offers a No Coast discount for its handheld processors and temporary merchant accounts. Hundreds of other providers exist, too — shop around until you find one that meets your needs.

Yes, this is our seventh annual NCCOR. Our first sale had over 3,000 shoppers, our second had more than 8,000, and since then we’ve had at least 10,000 over two days each year! In 2010, despite inclement weather both days, door counts were over 12,000 over both days.

We plan to make flyers, send postcards, advertise in local media (like the City Pages) and keep our fans, friends and vendors informed via good old-fashioned email. We send out press releases throughout the prep season, and work with Midtown Global Market on other publicity strategies.

• They love our vendors – the variety, quality, and uniqueness.
• They love the location and atmosphere of Midtown Global Market.

Relax! We plan to have more educational information available to vendors this year than ever before. Look for announcements about seminars, informational emails, and other outlets for learning what you need to know to have the best craft show experience you can!