Vendor Applications for Made in Maui County Fest Due May 31st

Maui County’s largest products show, the annual Made in Maui County Festival, will open to the public on November 3 and 4, 2017 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. Over 140 vendors will offer a wide selection of Made-In-Maui-County products. Courtesy photo: County of Maui

The County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and the Maui Chamber of Commerce are reminding businesses interested in participating as a Product Vendor or Food Truck Vendor in the 4th Annual Made in Maui County Festival that the deadline for applications is Wednesday, May 31, 2017.

Considered the largest products show in Maui County, this year’s event will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului and will be open to the public on Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies wishing to show their support for Maui County’s entrepreneurs and their products while increasing visibility for their own business.

Local businesses who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply as a Product Vendor:

• Business must be based in Maui County (current GET license required)
• All product(s) offered for sale must be made, manufactured, grown and/or created in Maui County. Although products may include source materials made/found in the State of Hawaii.
• Must meet minimum of 51% “Made in Hawaiʻi” product valuation.

A limited number of local food trucks will also be selected. A total of 12 food trucks will be featured on Saturday, Nov. 4, and a total of three will be featured on Friday, Nov. 3. 2017.

All applications will be reviewed between June 6 through July 8, and businesses will be notified of the Vendor Selection Committee’s decision on or before July 15. Approved applicants will be required to attend a mandatory vendor training meeting.

This year’s event will feature an “Exclusive Shopping Day” and special “Buyers Preview” on Friday, Nov. 3, from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Festivities will include the opening ceremonies and complimentary pūpū at 4 p.m. Food will also be available for purchase from three food trucks up to 4 p.m. Attendees will also receive a free Festival tote bag and have the opportunity to win a “Maui Getaway Travel Package” (must be present to win). Tickets ($35 per person, children 12 and under are free) will be available via the MACC Box Office starting in August, (808) 242-SHOW (7469) or MauiArts.org.

The “Big Festival Day” on Saturday, Nov. 4, will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Public admission is $5 (at the gate), children 12 and under are free. Saturday’s festivities include product demonstrations, a fashion show, 12 food trucks, and prize drawings. The first 2,000 attendees will receive a free Festival tote bag.

“We’re thrilled with the impact this Festival has made over the past three years in helping to grow our Island’s small, independent businesses,” said Teena Rasmussen, County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development Director. “Today, this major products show offers a springboard for these companies to take their business to the next level by being able to unveil new products, meet with prospective wholesalers and connect with new customers.”