Made In Maui Festival Hosts Informational Sessions for Vendors

Local grown produce. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Vendors of products made in Maui County are invited to attend informational sessions to find out more about the first-ever Made In Maui County Festival, scheduled to take place November 7 and 8 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.

The informational sessions are for local businesses interested in participating as vendors in the inaugural event, and for those who may have questions or need assistance in completing vendor applications.

The informational sessions will be held:

• Friday, May 23, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Cameron Center; and
• Wednesday, June 11, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Cameron Center.

Event organizers say participating vendors must be based in Maui County and feature a minimum of 51%, value-added in Hawaiʻi to their products.

Organizers say booth space will be assigned upon meeting the definition of “Made in Hawaiʻi” in terms of “compatibility, desirability, uniqueness of product and on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Department officials say an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 residents and visitors are expected to attend the event, which will showcase a variety of made-in-Maui County products, including food, produce, art, crafts, jewelry, fashion, gifts, and collectibles in one location.

The event includes the following highlights:

• Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, 2-6 p.m.: Wholesale Buyers and Distributors Event and Reception (by invitation only).
• Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Festival opens with approximately 100 vendors offering Maui products, food, and demonstrations. Admission is $3; children 12 and under are admitted for free.

The event is being co-presented by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development in partnership with the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Applications can be downloaded on the event’s official website. More information is also available via email at: [email protected] or via phone at (808) 244-0081.