1. POST-COVID SAFETY
a. Vendor Protocols:
i. Vaccine passports will be checked to verify that you are properly vaccinated.
ii. Disinfect your hands upon entry to the building (every time you leave it, and again on the floor you will be using)
iii. Wear a mask at all times at your table (remember to change it every 4 hours)
iv. Yes, you can eat and drink at your table (behind the table and replace your mask after)
v. Disinfect your hands after eating
vi. Be prepared to disinfect anything you allow to be touched.
vii. Food and drink may be served, wear gloves if serving food/drink (and eaten either in the lounge area or behind your table)
b. Attendees Protocols:
i. Vaccine passports will be checked to verify that you are properly vaccinated.
ii. They must disinfect their hands upon entry of building and floor
iii. They must be wearing a mask (aged 5 and up)
iv.
They must refrain from touching anything till
they are ready to buy
2. When can I register/reserve a space?
a. Starting September 1st (though may vary)
b. Vendors must be approved by the host or team of Scriven. A form will then be sent and must be returned with payment to secure the table space. This is the policy since often there are people who send in forms and then never their funds assuming that because they sent in a form that they are registered. Please note that “friendship” does not afford anyone any special privileges in the fairness that must be offered to all vendors.
3. How much does it cost? This includes what? Refund policy?
a. Usually costs $100 for a 6-foot space (includes one 6-foot table and two chairs)
b. $70 fee for a 6-foot space with no table (bring your own)
c. $35 fee for a half-space (includes a square card table and one or two chairs)
d. Refunds for cancellation: if you cancel by March 1st
4. Can I have electricity?
a. Depends on the venue
b. Inform the organizer WHEN YOU REGISTER (on your form)
c. Limited number of tables with access to electrical outlets on a first declare first receive basis till we are out of available spaces with access
5. Can I bring extension cords?
a. Yes
b. BUT, you may NOT string them across any walking path
i. If you must understand why: dangers of tripping or snagging
6. Will I face competition? Am I the only one with the products I have on my table?
a. YES! Welcome to the real world of business. Competition exist, especially in a themed fair like this one.
7. I was told I could not vend or could not sell a particular set of my products! Why?
a. Venue rules might forbid your products
8. When can I arrive to set up?
a. Usually 1-2 hours before doors open to the public
b. If the venue permits, possibly the night before
9. Is there an elevator or way to help me with my stuff for set-up or clean-up?
a. Depends on the venue
b. Be prepared to handle this on your own (bring your own help), and to do stairs
10. Is my table safe overnight? (for multi-day events, or events that allow night before set-up)
a. Depending on the venue
i. Vendors area may be locked when not in use
ii. Security might patrol regularly
iii. You may have to pack up each night and set up each morning
b. Even if there is security, be SMART!
i. Take your cash box with you, do not leave it there
ii. Cover your table and pin down the cover
iii. Take a picture of all items before leaving and of the covered table to know if anything is disturbed the next day or if anything goes missing
11. I need to leave my table for a bit (give/attend a presentation, get food, use facilities, etc.). Will there be help for me or someone to watch my table while I am gone?
a. Expect the answer to be NO, make your own arrangements
b. Sometimes volunteers will be available to help watch your table for a very short period (no more than an hour)
c. Tables abandoned without supervision for more than 30 minutes could get you banned from the next year’s show
12. I will be late for setting up. What should I do?
a. Don’t be, it is unprofessional
b. But if you MUST be:
i. Contact the organizers ASAP
ii. If you are more than 2 hours late, then your table is forfeit, do not bother coming
iii. If being late becomes a habit, your name will be black-listed and you won’t be allowed to register in the future
13. I will be away from my table a lot. What should I do?
a. Don’t be, it is unprofessional
b. But if you MUST be:
i. Make your own arrangements to have a helper (without leaning on another vendor who has to also manage their own table)
ii. Contact the organizers ASAP and turn your table into a basic info table with no products that need to be watched/sold
iii. Frequent/long abandonment with no arrangements/helper will get you banned from future events
14. I have to leave early. What should I do?
a. Don’t, it is unprofessional
b. But if you MUST:
i. Contact organizers ASAP; emergencies happen, we do understand
ii. Pack discretely so as not to disturb other vendors or their customers
iii. Try not to leave any earlier than 2 hours before doors close for the public
15. When do we set up and pack up?
a. Usually ONE hour before doors open to the public and for ONE hour after doors close.
b.
Repeating: You have ONE hour to set up and to pack
up
16. Can I have help setting up and/or packing up?
a. This is your table. Only you know how it should be set up and packed up.
17. Is the venue “accessible” for vendors/clients?
a. Depends on the venue
b.
Generally YES
18. Is there adequate parking for clients?
a. Depends on the venue
b. Sometimes lot parking is available (such as for the Royal St-Lawrence Yacht Club that has its own parking lot and has permission from the Dorval Community Center across the road to use their front and back lots as well)
19. Will organisers provide: extra lighting, table cloths, décor, extension cords, multi-outlet power bars, and/or extra chairs?
a. NO, why are you even asking this?
b. You are responsible for your own table’s needs.
c. On occasion, there might be extra chairs available, sometimes at an extra fee
20. Can I be placed next to / not next to specific vendors?
a. Maybe, NO PROMISES
b. Placement depends on electricity needs and strategic marketing
c. Placement sometimes also depends on what will create the least vendor drama
d. Put your request on your vendor form for consideration
21. Can I play music at my table?
a. Depends on the venue
b. Usually YES, so long as it does not disturb/disrupt your neighbors and/or clients
22. Can I play promo videos?
a.
YES! But not loudly, so long as it does not
disturb/disrupt your neighbors and/or clients
23. Can I burn candles or incense at my table?
a. Depends on the venue’s safety rules
b. Generally, NO due to allergies and safety/fire risks
24. Is there security/first aid personnel?
a. Depends on the size of the event
b. Contact organizers or one of the volunteers in case of any emergencies
i. Someone will handle security
ii. There will always be someone who knows first aid
iii. Volunteers will be identified in some way (Usually with a SILVER cord)
25. Is there wifi available?
a. Depends on the venue
b. If yes, there may be a fee for its use
i. Scriven 2020 has confirmed FREE wifi for vendors and speakers
26. I want to accept debit/credit payments. How do I do this?
a. You must do your own research on this matter and equip yourself accordingly
b. Recommendation is the Square Up device for cell phones that allow for card processing. Though, there are other similar services.
i. https://squareup.com/i/F4E1C449
27. How can I make change?
a. Come prepared with change in advance
b. If you cannot or you run out, then see if another vendor can break the larger bill for you
c. Try asking the client if they wish to make other purchases so you won’t have to make change for them (this is called up-selling)
d. Let them know you will hold the item for an hour till they can break the larger bill with other purchases from other vendors
28. Is there food/drink available? Or a fridge/kitchen I can use?
a. Depends on the venue. Sometimes, but do not expect it
b. If so, it will not be for free
c. Come prepared! Bring your own food/drink and a cooler if necessary
d. Bring money to buy food or to order food in (delivery flyers will be available at the Greeting Table)
29. I have a problem and want to make a complaint!
a. Be adult/mature, respectful & respectable, patient, calm, professional. Try to solve it on your own before addressing the organizers. People make mistakes and are only human. Give people a chance to work it out.
b. Complaining to people around you, starting negative rumors/slander, actively trying to undermine the sales of another vendor (“don’t go see them”) and yelling will not be tolerated. You will be asked to leave immediately, even if the cause of your ire was due to the actions of someone else.
c. Bring up your issue discreetly/privately with the organizers
d. If the complaint is about an organizer:
i. Organizers are only human and make mistakes, too
ii. Organizers are under FAR MORE stress running the event than you can or will ever imagine, but they are trying their best
iii. Bring your issue to them discreetly/privately anyhow so that they may learn/make amends
30. How do I deal with theft?
a. Theft happens, usually at larger events. You are responsible for your table and its stuff (have your own insurance)
b. Be aware and prepared in advance (don’t look like a victim!)
i. Be alert, watchful, meet people’s eyes
ii. Give out receipts so they have proofs of purchase, and so do you
iii. Watch over your stuff, wandering off or turning your back is ASKING for theft to happen
iv. Keep higher priced or easily stealable items closer to you or in an enclosed case only you can access
c. Contact organizers/security/volunteers ASAP
31.
I am NEW to all this! What should I know not
already mentioned?
I was having trouble getting noticed last time; advice please?
a. Bring your own helpers
b. Bring your own lunch
c. Bring change to break larger bills when clients buy stuff
d. Bring table cloths that do not distract from your products/services
e. Bring your own display units and lighting to show off your stuff
f. Bring your own extension cords and power bars
g. Make sure your stuff is priced for clients to see. They often don’t ask about a price and just want to look for themselves. Make little signs to be helpful or price items individually.
h. Have a sign that clearly identifies WHO you are and what you do/sell.
i. Have business cards for people to take
j. Try to add something to the promotional bags as this is GREAT advertising.
k. TAKE YOUR GARBAGE HOME! Bring your own garbage bag for your trash and take it with you when you pack up. SAME FOR RECYCLE!
l. Have a couple receipt books or a notebook/ledger to record your sales
m. Come prepared with pens, paper, extra card stock for making on the spot signs
n. Bring something to occupy yourself during the quiet lulls so you are NOT bored
o. YES, your kids can come and help you. BUT… you are responsible for them. No one else will take care of them and they need their own entertainment. Do NOT let them be disruptive to other vendors or the event. Remember, even a short event of 4 hours is HARD for small children, more so when the event is all day long or multiple days.
p. Make sure the organizers have your links to add to the facebook and website and newsletter/program
q. Share the facebook event to all your venues and help to advertise and get the word out
r. Post a couple pictures of your stuff as teasers in the facebook event
s. Stand and greet potential customers with a smile; meet their eyes. This makes you seem welcoming and approachable. Also… know your stuff.
t. If sales are slow, make the most of your time by networking
u. Remember to thank the volunteers who help out; they are working very hard for free
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