Vendor Applications Now Open for Made in Maui County Festival

Food truck and product vendor applications are now available for the sixth annual Made in Maui County Festival. The festival will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Friday, Nov. 1, from 1:30 to 6 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A total of 140 product vendors will be selected to participate in the event. Applicantsʻ products must be made, manufactured, grown, and/or created in Maui County. However, products may include source materials made/found in the State of Hawaiʻi with a minimum of 51% “Made in Hawaiʻi” product valuation. Applications will also be evaluated on branding, packaging, website/online presence, and an interest in and readiness to export.

In 2018, the Made in Maui County Festival drew more than 10,000 residents and visitors over the two-day event at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. For information on this year’s festival, visit www.MadeInMauiCountyFestival.com.

This year’s participating product vendors will receive a membership in the Made in Maui trade program, which will allow vendors to use the official trademark seal, along with other benefits. Additional information on the benefits will be provided to the accepted vendors. Qualified wholesale buyers and distributors will be invited to a special “Buyers Preview” on Nov. 1 to talk with vendors about their products.

Applications are also available for local Food Trucks. A total of three food trucks will be selected to participate on Friday, Nov. 1, and 13 food trucks on Saturday, Nov. 2. The applications are available on the Made in Maui County Festival website. Product vendor applications can be found on the “Vendors” page and food truck applications can be found on the “Food Trucks” page. The deadline for applications is May 31 by 4:30 p.m. Hawaiʻi Standard Time. Businesses will be notified of the vendor selection committeeʻs decision by July 12.

According to the Maui Chamber of Commerce, last year’s festival attracted more than 10,000 residents and visitors, and nearly 400 wholesale buyers and distributors from across the globe for the invitation-only Buyers Preview. Maui Chamber of Commerce president Pamela Tumpap said the festival was created to expose Maui Countyʻs manufacturing businesses to prospective retailers, buyers, wholesalers, and distributors worldwide to help them expand their market beyond the county.

“We’re thrilled with the impact the festival has had over the years in improving our islands’ economic diversity while showcasing our islands’ talented entrepreneurs and promoting and encouraging both residents and visitors to buy Maui County first,” Tumpap said.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies interested in supporting Maui County’s entrepreneurs and their products. Sponsor benefits include event promotions, event tickets, and program advertising.

More information on the Made in Maui County Festival can be found online or by emailing info@MadeInMauiCountyFestival.com.