Vendors' Information
IN THIS SECTION
ADDED 11.7.12 FLOOR PLAN WITH TABLE NUMBERS AND LOAD-IN TIMES
LOCATION INFO
SETUP AND BREAKDOWN
YOUR SPACE
OTHER HELP
WHAT TO BRING
OTHER TIPS AND INFO
PA SALES TAX AND CITY OF PITTSBURGH VENDOR PERMIT
ADDED 11.1.12 PENNSYLVANIA TAX OBLIGATIONS FOR OUT-OF-STATE VENDORS
PROMOTION
FOR MORE INFO
ADDED 11.1.12 DIRECTION AND PARKING AT DLCC
ADDED 11.1.12 DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH HOTELS
ADDED 11.1.12 HA VENDOR LOAD IN STREET MAP
ADDED 11.4.12 BRING A SWEATER
ADDED 11.9.12 BANKS CLOSED FRIDAY REMINDER
LOCATION INFO
Handmade Arcade will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC), at the corner of Penn Ave. and 10th Street, in downtown Pittsburgh. We will be in Hall D.
You can find additional information about the Convention Center at their website, including driving directions, information on bus routes, and on nearby hotels. Event parking at the Convention Center is $10. There are also various parking garages throughout the downtown area.
SETUP AND BREAKDOWN
Setup will run from 8:00 – 10:00am, with the loading dock closing at 9:30am. We will assign you a load-in time based on your assigned table location and notify you of your assigned time closer to the day of the event. You must be completely set up and ready to sell by 10:00am when the show will open to the “Early Birdie” shoppers.
Volunteers are available to help you unload and find your table. Convention Center employees will assist with loading in and out large and/or heavy items. HA will also provide a dolly for your use (please keep in mind we will only have one dolly, so the more stuff you can carry yourself the better). You can pull your car up to the loading dock at your assigned time and unload. Immediately after unloading, you must move your car. Please be considerate of your fellow vendors.
Handmade Arcade ends at 7:00pm. Vendors should NOT break down the tables and chairs, however, you must have all of your merchandise and personal items cleared by 8:00pm. At 7:00pm the loading dock doors will be opened and additional trash and recycling bins will be provided. Breakdown must be completed by 8:00pm.
Note to Hands-on Handmade artists: please arive between 9:30 and 10:00 am. From inside the loading dock enterence, use smaller door to the left of the dock doors.
YOUR SPACE
Each vendor receives an 8-by-2.5 foot table and two chairs. We strive to provide each vendor with at least an 8-by-8 foot area of space. We ask that vendors stay within their assigned space and be courteous of their crafty neighbors. If you have racks or other display structures, they MUST fit within your assigned space. Likewise, you must contain all of your extra merchandise containers within this space. If your table is close to a wall you will still need to bring your own display structures. Vendors may NOT tape or hang any items to the wall.
When planning how to set up your items, think vertical. Stores such as Target sell cheap storage products, like stackable cubes and shoe shelves that can help you display things up and at eye level. Such products generally can be transported flat and quickly assembled on site. If this is your first craft fair, it’s a smart idea to plan your table out at home. Make sure you scope it out from the front, as your customers will see it.
If your product requires electricity to functionally display it, you must request it by contacting Debbie at by 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 4.There is no free internet service at the Convention Center. If you would like internet access, you must arrange it with the Convention Center by completing the form found under the Telecommunications section.You, the vendor, are responsible for making these arrangements; the Handmade Arcade organizers will not be able to connect you to internet service.
OTHER HELP
HA Volunteers will be recognizable by their name badge and HA apron. They are there to assist you. They will also be available to watch your table for brief trips to the restroom or concessions stand. Volunteers will only watch your table and will not make any sales -- shoppers will be informed that the vendor will return shortly. Please keep these trips short. Handmade arcade organizers are available at the Welcome Tent located at the front of the hall.
WHAT TO BRING
• Your crafts, and LOTS of them.
• Lots of change. You can never have too many small bills – ones, fives and tens. You can bring a cash box, but nothing is more secure than wearing your money -- either in an apron or in your pockets (trousers with four big pockets -- $1, $5, $10 and $20)
• Business cards or other promotional/contact materials for your craft venture. You may also want to have a mailing list sign-up sheet.
• A friend. If you don’t have a buddy to help out, HA will have volunteers on hand who can watch your table while you take a bathroom break or grab some food.
• Tablecloth or yardage. You’ll also want enough material to hang to the floor, and disguise all the stuff you’re storing under the table.
• Mirror – useful if you’re selling clothing or jewelry.
• Bags. If you don’t have your own, supermarket bags are fine.
** Craft-fair handy bag. Might include: masking tape, safety pins, Sharpie, scissors, needle & thread, string, small notebook, pens, aspirin, and Band-Aids. Some supplies will be available at the Welcome Table.
• Trash bag.
• Comfortable shoes.
• We will have a promo table at the Welcome Table – this is a great place to put your own fliers, postcards, coupons, and giveaways.
OTHER TIPS AND INFO
• Signage. Make sure your products are identified, if they’re not obvious to customers, and that you highlight a unique feature (“Made from recycled chopsticks!”).
• Mark prices clearly.
• Inventory what you’re bringing. That way, after the fair you can sort out what you’ve sold.
• Stand and deliver. Sure, it’s a long day and your feet may be crying for a break, but you’re more likely to engage customers and appear accessible if you’re standing up and eye-level with them. Sitting, head bowed over some craft work, isn’t inviting to sales. Remember, this is retail: You don’t have to do a hard sell, but smiling, inviting customers over, talking up your products are all smart strategies.
• There are ATMs in the Convention Center and at various locations downtown.
• The Convention Center concessions within our hall will be open from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Breakfast items, lunch, beverages, and snacks will be available for purchase.
PA SALES TAX AND CITY OF PITTSBURGH VENDOR PERMIT
Vendors must register for a PA Sales Tax License if selling taxable items. Go to www.pa100.state.pa.us to register online. You can also complete a paper PA-100. For more information, go to www.revenue.state.pa.us. If you are an out-of-state vendor, review the brochure below "PENNSYLVANIA TAX OBLIGATIONS FOR OUT-OF-STATE VENDORS" for the information that you need.
For information about the City of Pittsburgh vendor requirements go to http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/BBI/html/vendors.html (you’re only required to file as a vendor with the City of Pittsburgh if you make more than $12,000 per year as a vendor). We have also attached a PDF of the form. These and any other legal requirements are the vendors’ personal responsibility. Handmade Arcade will not request proof of compliance.
PENNSYLVANIA TAX OBLIGATIONS FOR OUT-OF-STATE VENDORS
PROMOTION
Help promote Handmade Arcade! Event posters and postcards are available at Wildcard (4209 Butler Street in Lawrenceville) for you to pick up and distribute in your neighborhood. You can also go to the Download Items section for a 4-up PDF file of the event postcard and web buttons that you can add to your site. In addition, we will be sending out e-mail blasts in the days approaching the show, and we encourage you to do likewise. And don’t forget social networking. If you haven’t already, join or like our Facebook and Twitter pages and repost to yours.
FOR MORE INFO
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have further questions. It is better to ask in advance. For last-minute emergencies the night before and the morning of the show you can call Debbie at 412-251-3625 or Minette at 617-271-5424.
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING AT DLCC
DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH HOTELS
HA VENDOR LOAD-IN STREET MAP
BRING A SWEATER
Please note that the Convention Center is a "green building" and during load-in the heating system will be turned off while the loading dock doors are open. After this time, it will take several hours (depending upon how cold it is outside) for the hall to completely return to normal temperature. If you have an early shift, you may want to bring a sweater.
BANKS ARE CLOSED FRIDAY REMINDER
When planning to get change, remember that the banks will be closed on Friday due to the holiday. Also as a reminder, bring lots of change! The welcome table will not ba able to assist you in breaking large bills.
