interested in applying to be a vendor at our next show?
APPLICATIONS FOR OUR UPCOMING SPRING SHOW WILL OPEN february 10, 2017
Add yourself to the mailing list to be notified about applications!Show of Hands Holiday 2016 Vendors (from left to right): Tytin Jewelry // Real.Soaps // Earth Cadets // Nicolet Candle Co. // Made by Cat Painter // Lilla Barn Clothing
important dates + event details
Show of Hands Holiday 2016
FRIDAY Preview Night
November 18, 2016
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
November 19-20, 2016
10am - 5pm, both days
SHOW LOCATION
Architectural Artifacts
4325 N Ravenswood Ave • Chicago
*one block east of the Montrose Brown Line El Stop
applications are now closed
APPLICATION DEADLINESUNDAY July 31st 2016
*applications submitted after this date will not be considered
APPLICATION NOTICES SENT by end of day
MONDAY August 8th 2016
HOLIDAY 2016 VENDOR LIST POSTED
TUESDAY September 6th 2016
Our amazing 2016 Show Location: Architectural Artifacts | 4325 N Ravenswood Ave. Chicago
what to expect from the show
TOO LEGIT TO QUIT
For our 4th Annual Holiay Show, we're looking for quality artists, designers & craftspeople to sell their goods to an estimated 5,000+ shoppers. This 3-day show will take place this coming November at the amazing Architectural Artifacts, just one block from the Montrose Brown Line El Station.
To get a feel for the type & caliber of vendors we're looking for, please check out our list of vendors from last year's Holiday Show. These are top-notch designers & business owners who all individually added something amazing and unique to the show as a whole. While applicants don't necessarily have to be individuals who only sell high-end items, or who have long-established businesses, we are looking for all of our vendors to possess some very specific qualities:
GOOD DESIGN • PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION • CONFIDENCE IN YOUR WORK
AND THE QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP TO BACK IT UP
That said, we're also extremely careful not to over-saturate any one product category at the show. Show of Hands is a smaller event as far as craft shows and art fairs go (our upcoming Holiday Show will boast a highly-curated group of under 100 vendors), and we don't want shoppers to feel like there is too much of any one thing.
BOOTH FEES + PARTICIPATION LEVELS
- Vendors applying for a STANDARD BOOTH SPACE will placed in one of two booth space sizes: 6x8ft -or- 5x9ft
*double booth spaces are also available at an additional cost (see below) - Vendors may also apply with another maker for a SHARED BOOTH SPACE = 2 Vendors in 1 Standard Booth
*See "PARTICIPATION LEVELS" below for additional information on Shared Booth Spaces. - All booth spaces include (1) 6ft table and (2) folding chairs;
- There are a select number of booths with wall space and/or access to electricity. In the months leading up to the show, we will contact vendors regarding these (or other) special requirements;
*while meeting all requests is often impossible, we will always do our very best to accommodate everyone - Prior to the show, there will be a walkthrough of the space and an informational Q+A held at Architectural Artifacts to help vendors prepare (and get psyched!) for the big event.
- Since Architectural Artifacts is also a retail store, open 7 days a week (10am-5pm), we encourage you to visit the space on your own time, as well. Seeing the space in person and browsing their 80,000 sq.ft. warehouse is an experience like no other.
- Promotional postcards & posters will be provided to all vendors in advance for mailing, handing out + posting all over town!
- Other promotional tools include (but are in no way limited to) a dedicated Show of Hands website and blog, dedicated Instagram feed (@showofhandschicago), Twitter feed (@showofhandschi) and Facebook Page (facebook.com/showofhandschicago), a CTA Ad Campaign and printed programs handed out to all attendees of the show.
- PLUS a SPECIAL FRIDAY NIGHT PREVIEW EVENT, Vendor Goodie Bags, a Vendor Lounge, free coffee + other refreshments all weekend & much, much more!
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES for VENDORS
In addition to regular vendor spaces, we are also offering a handful of VENDOR/SPONSOR spots to those businesses who would like both a booth space and the additional promotion that comes with being a sponsor. More info below...
participation levels
standard vendor booth $400
Returning Vendor Standard Booth $375shared vendor booth $225
Returning Vendor Shared Booth $200see note below about sharing booths*
double vendor booth $800
Returning Vendor Double Booth $750+ADD SPONSORSHIP $350
Upgrade your vendor participation to includeShout-Out Sponsorship**
note: Sponsorship cannot be added to "Shared Booth" Applications
NEW SHARED BOOTH INFORMATION
This year, we ask that all vendors applying for a SHARED BOOTH SPACE, please apply & submit payment individually.We highly encourage you to pair up with someone before applying; you'll be asked to enter your boothmate's name on your application.
If you are interested in applying for a SHARED BOOTH SPACE, but do not have a 2nd vendor to share with, we will do our best to pair you up with another, complimentary maker who has also applied for a shared space.
IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that applying alone for a shared booth increases your risk of not being accepted if we're unable to pair you up.
wanna be a sponsor, too?
While all participating vendors will be extensively promoted simply by participating in the shop, VENDOR/SPONSORS will receive everything included with our SHOUT-OUT SPONSORSHIP LEVEL > your business info & logo in all promotional print materials (postcards & posters, etc.), logo on all ads for our 6-week CTA Ad Campaign, mention all press releases, a highlighted listing in our show directories, additional press opportunities and much, much more!left: Shamus of Real.Soaps talks soap with shoppers // right: Michelle of Michelle Starbuck Designs completing a sale with a happy customer
THE APPLICATION
In order to be considered for participation in SHOW of HANDS Holiday 2016, you will need to submit the online application and pay the full booth fee by Sunday, July 31st, 2015 at 12 midnight CST.
a $25 application fee is included in all booth costs
This fee covers administrative costs associated with receiving, managing & reviewing hundreds of vendor applications prior to each show
The online application (link at the bottom of this page) will ask for your company information and contact details. In order to see your work and evaluate whether or not you'd be a good fit for our show, we ask that you provide us with a link to your website*, as well as a brief description of your work.
*ALL APPLICANTS MUST HAVE A WEBSITE IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR PARTICIPATION IN OUR SHOW.
Please be sure that the website you submit has clear, easily accessible images & information that represent your most current work, and the work you plan on bringing to the show.
NOTE: Etsy shops and other online shopping platforms are acceptable; however, a Facebook page or Twitter feed is not.
If you have any questions about the application process, please let us know!
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you choose to (or are forced to) cancel, you will receive a full refund, less the $25 Application Fee, if and only if we are notified of your cancellation by September 12th 2016. Cancellations made after this date will NOT receive a refund.
*Vendors are not permitted to sell, trade or give away their booth space for any reason.
LICENSES, PERMITS & WAIVERS
As either a business or an individual selling goods to the general public at this event, you will be required to charge & pay IL Sales Tax (10.25%) regardless of where you/your business resides. Don't worry if this is a new thing for you. If accepted, we'll provide further information and answer any and all questions that Vendors have about selling, licensing, paying taxes, etc.
All participating vendors will be asked to provide one of the following:left: Simon & Ruby's beautiful display & a crowd of shoppers (Spring 2015) // right: Tina from Tytin Jewelry showing off her Vendor Badge
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Please use the links below to begin your application. All applicants will fill out the same application form, which will ask for some information about you, your business, your products, etc. Once you have completed the form, you will be taken to a payment page where you must submit the full booth fee in order to complete your application.
NOTE: If you participated in our Holiday 2015 show, please be sure to choose the option marked (Returning Vendor) on the payment page.
APPLICATION NOTICES WILL BE SENT MONDAY, AUGUST 8TH
If you have any additional questions or concerns not addressed above, or elsewhere on this site, please don't hesitate to contact us any time. We're here to help!