Vendors Generated Over $500,000 in Sales at 2016 Made in Maui County Festival

A full report was released this week detailing the results of the 3rd annual Made in Maui County Festival held in November of last year.

The event, presented by the Office of Economic Development and the Maui Chamber of Commerce generated more than $512,922 in product sales (compared to $416,000 in 2015 and $300,000 in 2014), and featured more than 140 vendors showcasing Made-in-Maui-County products.

The report also noted a 35% increase in attendees with 11,000 people visiting the two-day festival in 2016, compared to 10,000 the year before.

Vendors also reported over 335 new wholesale accounts secured as a result of the event (compared to 250 in 2015, and 180 in 2014).

“We are so grateful to the entire community for how far the Festival has come in just three short years,” said OED Director Teena Rasmussen. “The most gratifying aspect is it is becoming an economic engine for our county.  By identifying these Made in Maui County companies through the festival, we are building an entire entrepreneurial eco-system for their growth and success. We have also brought together over 15 business development partners to offer these companies a wealth of programs, grants, consulting, and workshops to help their development. This in turn, lays the framework for job creation and vibrant economic growth in our community.”

The Festival’s goals are to:

• Showcase locally made products that have a 51 percent value added in Maui County to both visitors and residents. These products included foods, produce, art, crafts, jewelry, fashion, gifts, collectibles, and any other products that meet the criteria for vendor participation.
• Help to grow our islands’ businesses by providing opportunities for participating vendors to meet with prospective retailers and wholesalers and connect with new customers.
• Help strengthen our community by encouraging job creation and diversification of our economy.

“We’re delighted with the impact this Festival has made over the years,” said Pamela Tumpap, President of the Maui Chamber of Commerce. “A big mahalo goes to the Maui County Council and the Mayor’s office whose financial support makes it possible for our local entrepreneurs to afford to participate in a major products show such as this. The County’s support along with our event’s generous sponsors, planning committee, festival friends, and volunteers collectively play key roles in producing this world-caliber event.”

Last year’s vendors also sited the Festival’s impact:

Marla McManus of Three Coconuts Maui remarked, “I am very grateful to have a County that is so supportive of small business, especially to recognize and promote products that are made here. The Festival has been outstanding for my company. Everyone who puts this event together is wonderful to work with – personal, professional, and helpful in every way. Because of your efforts I have grown my business, become confident and encouraged and inspired by all of you.”

According to Carol Bodin of Uli Kai Designs, “I believe the Festival helped my company become more wholesale ready. We learned a lot about how to better brand and market our products. The wholesale contacts made were quality businesses and I am excited for the possibilities. Overall, I love, love, love participating in the Festival, and feel it was a great success in moving my business forward.”

Justin Orr of HI Spice shared, “Just the shear volume of people who came was awesome, intimidating and exciting at the same time. This event was the most intense market research we’ve ever conducted so far. Being able to interact with people and get their immediate feedback on our flavors and packaging has provided us with invaluable information. It really validates what we do and that we’re heading in the right direction.”

In 2016, as a result of the success of the Made in Maui County Festival, a new online shopping resource called the “Made in Maui County Marketplace” – www.MadeInMauiCounty.com – was launched in October 2016. The Marketplace website is a project of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources in cooperation with the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and the Maui Chamber of Commerce. This website provides Festival vendors with an opportunity to showcase their Made-in-Maui-County products and to connect with prospective customers year-round.

Now in its fourth year, the Made in Maui County Festival will be held on November 3 and 4, 2017. The two-day event will feature a wide variety of made-in-Maui-County products from over 140 product vendors, local food trucks, product demonstrations, fashion shows, prize drawings and more all in one location – the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.

2016 Made in Maui County Festival. Photo 11.4.16 by Wendy Osher.

In 2016, the Made in Maui County Festival drew more than 11,000 residents and visitors for two days of shopping at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Photo by: Casey Nishikawa

During the Made in Maui County Festival, food trucks will offer a variety of local fare in the Food Court at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Photo by: Casey Nishikawa

The Festival provided the Maui Coffee Association with a strong vehicle to get the word out that Maui grows great coffee. Photo by Casey Nishikawa

On Saturday, a total of 12 food trucks offered a diverse menu of island cuisine.
Photo by Casey Nishikawa

Before gates opened on Saturday, a long lined formed around the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The first 2,000 people received a free Festival tote. Photo by Casey Nishikawa

2016 Made in Maui County Festival. Photo 11.4.16 by Wendy Osher.

2016 Made in Maui County Festival. Photo 11.4.16 by Wendy Osher.

2016 Made in Maui County Festival. Photo 11.4.16 by Wendy Osher.

2016 Made in Maui County Festival. Photo 11.4.16 by Wendy Osher.

2016 Made in Maui County Festival. Photo 11.4.16 by Wendy Osher.

2016 Made in Maui County Festival. Photo 11.4.16 by Wendy Osher.

2016 Made in Maui County Festival. Photo 11.4.16 by Wendy Osher.

2016 Made in Maui County Festival. Photo 11.4.16 by Wendy Osher.

2016 Made in Maui County Festival. Photo 11.4.16 by Wendy Osher.

2016 Made in Maui County Festival. Photo 11.4.16 by Wendy Osher.

Maui County’s largest products show, the annual Made in Maui County Festival, will open to the public on November 4 and 5, 2016 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. Over 140 vendors will offer a bevy of Made-In-Maui-County products. Additionally, on Saturday (Nov. 5), 11 of Maui’s popular food trucks will be featured in the event’s Food Court. Courtesy photo: County of Maui