Information For Vendors

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

The information below is for the 2012 Summer No Coast Craft-o-Rama. Application information for the 2012 Holiday Craft-o-Rama will be made available by June 1.

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 at least 10′ square, or large enough to accommodate a 10′ tent. You may set up your space in any configuration within that boundary.

Generally, we do not allot more than one spot per vendor. You may request a special exception in a separate email to the organizers at the time of your application. If your request is accepted, you must pay $75 for each additional space allocated.

You can apply with a friend (see the Application Information page). Once accepted, no additional vendors may be present at your table without express permission from the No Coast Craft-o-Rama organizers.

Sometime 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. We have no coverage or signage requirements, though — just whatever you think works best for you. All tents/shelters MUST be secured by weights, absolutely no stakes are allowed on park grounds.

There is no electricity available at Summer No Coast Craft-o-Rama 2012.

There is no wi-fi available at Summer No Coast Craft-o-Rama 2012, except inside the park building.

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 since there will be no on-site ATM at Silverwood Park. 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 Square, 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, we have been organizing holiday sales for seven years. 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. (Door counts have not yet been provided for the 2011 holiday sale.) This is our first-ever summer outdoor show, but we have lots of marketing and promotion muscle available to us, including that of the Three Rivers Park District. Silverwood’s mission is nature-inspired arts programming, so they are well-versed in drawing a crowd interested in on-site art events.

We plan to make flyers, send postcards, advertise in local media, 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 our host sites on other publicity strategies.

• They love our vendors – the variety, quality, and uniqueness.
• They love the location and atmosphere we provide
  

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!