2025 Vendor Kit

SHOW MANAGEMENT 
Victorian Country Christmas Festival is produced and managed by: 
Marketplace Events LLC
2000 Auburn Dr., Ste 200 
Beachwood, OH 44122 
www.marketplaceevents.com | www.avictoriancountrychristmas.com

SHOW OFFICE

MOVE IN

MOVE IN MAP 

To view the Move-In map with designated load-in areas, (coming soon,,,). While the load-in areas are clearly labeled, please be aware that they may be subject to change due to weather conditions. We recommend checking for updates closer to the event. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.

Tuesday, Dec 2:  8:00am - 8:00pm 

Wednesday, Dec 3:  8:00am - 8:00pm 

MOVE OUT

Sunday, Dec 7:  6:01pm - 10:00pm

Exhibits cannot be disassembled or moved out until the Show is over at 6:01 pm. The public pays to see an entire Show. On move out you will not be allowed to move your vehicles close to the buildings until all of the attendees have left and vehicles can move safely about.

No vehicle traffic will be allowed in the buildings unless previous arrangements have been made. Please be courteous and do not block the truck entrances or doors. Your patience is appreciated as some displays and carpet must be removed before any vehicles and/or trailers can come into the buildings.

We would like to kindly inform our vendors that the pick-up window for remaining materials from the site will be available on Monday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Please note that Monday is not designated as a move-out day, and all booths should be fully torn down by Sunday evening. Alternatively, booths must be consolidated by Sunday evening to allow contractors to begin dismantling the storefronts.

Important: During the hours of move-in and move-out all the grass areas are strictly forbidden to be driven on. If you are found parked or driving on the grass you will be billed any cost associated with the repair or replacement of the grass, per Washington State Fair Events Center regulations.

Please do not bring young children to move-in or move-out, as you will be personally responsible if they are injured or if they damage another person’s property.

GROUNDS AND PARKING MAP:

Free Parking is available for all vendors in the Blue and Gold Parking Lots on South Meridian Street, directly across from the show. Please note that overnight parking is not permitted in these lots. Handicap parking spaces are located at the front of both lots for your convenience. Trailers requiring parking for show days or overnight will be directed to the Green Lot.

CLICK HERE for A grounds and parking map.

MOVE IN/OUT CAR SECURITY TAG:

Please print and complete the Security Hang Tag below to help alleviate congestion at the service gate. This tag is specifically for move-in and move-out purposes and allows you one hour for unloading. Once your vehicle is unloaded, please park it in the Blue or Gold Lot and return to complete the setup of your booth. This process is designed to ensure a smooth and efficient experience for all participants.

CLICK HERE.

Each booth receives up to 5 badges for exhibitor staff, which gains access to the buildings on show days. Please pick your badges during move-in at the Show Office. The Show Office is located in the back of the Showplex, with access between booths 913 + 951 - Ground Floor. If you need to leave badges for staff, they can be picked at Will Call at the Gold Gate.

Once picked up, you are responsible for distributing the badges to your staff prior to entering the fairgrounds. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BADGE IN YOUR BOOTH. Replacements are $7 each if badge is lost or left in booth.

If you need more badges than will be allotted to you it is at the show staff's discretion, please contact pipern@mpeshows.com.

A Vendor badge will be required to enter the show floor. All loading dock doors will be closed and there will be no access granted during show hours. If you need to restock your booth with supplies, please do it one hour before the show opens. Security is permitted to stop any Vendor from entering or exiting through the side entrances or loading dock doors. There is no smoking allowed inside the building. On show days, exhibitors can enter the building 1 hour before show open with an exhibitor badge to restock. Exhibitors may be subject to a search prior to entering the facility. This can include bags, backpacks, purses, briefcases, etc.  Please be prepared for this on opening day and arrive early. 

• Final Payment: Full and final payment for exhibit space must be made November 15. Show Management reserves the right to refuse entry to any Vendor whose account has not been settled and paid in full. If you have signed and authorized Marketplace Events to automatically charge your card on your original contract, please make sure funds are available in the proper time frame. If you have any questions regarding payment processes, please contact Piper Newman at pipern@mpeshows.com or 206-756-0930. Any contracts that are outstanding after the show cycle is completed will automatically be sent to collections and the Vendor will still be responsible to pay off the booth space and will not be allowed to exhibit in any future shows with Marketplace Events. 

• Dress Code:  The dress code is so important for the overall theme of the show. The dress code plays a vital role in bringing our theme to life, and your contribution will enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the show. Explore some inspiration on Amazon for both Womens & Mens attire. Let’s come together and celebrate our theme in style! No Denim.

• Floor Covering Required:  You can order carpet from the Show Decorator or bring your own flooring materials.  It should be professional-looking and clean and must cover your entire booth floor corner to corner. No partial floor coverings are permitted.  All edges of a carpet must be taped down – double sided tape is acceptable. Duct tape is not allowed to secure the flooring. Any Vendor leaving tape remnants will be charged a fee for cleanup.

• Signage: All signs must be tasteful and professional. The use of handwritten signs, paper banners, large discount pricing cards or other such material is not permitted. Signage may not impede adjacent booths. Signs identifying your booth, company or products must be clear and informative. No signs over 8 feet high are allowed.  Any booth signs or product should not block show signage or other displays. 

• Table Coverings Required: Table coverings must be clean and pressed, and extend all the way to the floor.  'Makeshift' or plastic tablecloths are not permitted.  You can order coverings/skirting from the Show Decorator or bring your own.

• Display: All exhibits must be free standing and self-supporting. Free standing bulletin boards, signs, etc. may be used providing exhibits are not hidden from view. Unfinished sides or backgrounds must be draped. Racks and display shelves must not unduly obstruct visibility of adjacent exhibits. Tables must be professionally skirted (no plastic) with floor-length skirting on all visible sides.

• Holiday Decor Required: This is Christmas event, and we ask you to plan your space accordingly with holiday décor. We ask that everyone decorate their space to include  décor, lights, trees, etc. We know from other shows that those booths that are decorated do better! The shoppers are feeling festive! All booths must be decorated in a holiday theme and should reflect the holiday spirit. Think of your booth like a picture window at a department store and decorate appropriately, with an easy flow into your booth space. 

• Booth Pipe and Drape:  All inline exhibit spaces will three sides of  8’ high pipe with black drape. Corner booths will have two sides of 8' high, black drape.  One 500 watt 120-volt duplex receptacle will be provided for each booth.
  
  
• Booth Lighting: Given that the drape is black, we strongly recommend incorporating additional lighting to ensure the space feels inviting and vibrant. You can rent lighting equipment through Tradeshow for a convenient solution. If you prefer to purchase your own, we’ve provided an Amazon link with some great options to consider: CLICK HERE. Adequate lighting will not only enhance visibility but also highlight your displays beautifully!
  

• Mascots:  Please be aware that we do not allow vendors to have any mascots or their own Santa, Grinch etc onsite as we have a contracted Santa Claus for the show attendees. 

• Exhibit Boundaries: Nothing, including carpet, may extend past the outer boundaries of an exhibit into the aisles or an adjoining booth. Solicitation in the aisles and other public areas other than your booth is strictly prohibited. 

• Display Vehicles: Please refer to page 4 of the Rules and Regulations.

• Distracting Devices: Any attention attracting devices, such as noisemakers, flashing lights, movies, music, broadcasting, television, drawings, etc., are subject to Show Management approval.  Devices which are obviously distracting and annoying to exhibitors are prohibited (Hardwall systems must be used for stereo equipment to reduce noise). 

• Exhibitor Conduct: Show Management reserves the right to refuse admission or ask to leave the facility to any exhibitor or exhibitor's employee who is deemed by Show Management to be unfit, intoxicated, or is in any way creating a disruption to the show. 

• Click here for your Exhibitor Terms and Conditions.

Maximize your business’s exposure and attract more customers by upgrading your vendor listing. As a vendor, you have a basic listing live on the website, and now you can Enhance It! This is included in the contracted space cost and is no additional charge.

Within 24 hours, you will receive an automated email providing a link to elevate your listing. This link gives you the flexibility to make updates and changes to your listing as frequently as you like until one day after the show ends. Your listing will stay active for as long as you participate in the show.

If you have any questions regarding the online vendor listing or if you do not receive the email with the link, please email our digital coordinator at JenK@mpeshows.com.

For any assistance with your listing, please consult the FAQ section.

We believe this opportunity will greatly benefit your business and we are excited to assist in maximizing your presence at the show.

Learn more about the benefits of creating your enhanced listing.
GO FROM BASIC TO ENHANCED!

12 MOST COMMON MISTAKES

Avoid these common mistakes when exhibiting and see your engagement increase!

1. Not enough space in your booth.  When you inquire about booth space, always tape out the dimensions on your floor before coming down to the show to get an idea of how much room you have, and how you want to lay out the space so you are better prepared. 

2.  No goals/measurable results.  Set yourself a goal for the event, whether that's booking 10 appointments/consultations or handing out all your marketing materials with a conversation.  This will keep you accountable and driven.  

3.  Forgetting the "three second rule".  You only have 3 seconds to make an impression on a customer walking by.  That means your display has to be something that intrigues them, as well as you have to appear available to them.

4.  Bad Signage.  Don't make it a guessing game as to what your booth is offering.  If you have bad signage in your booth or hand written signs, you are advertising that you aren't professional or prepared enough (which no one wants for their wedding).  Plan your display out in advance and print things out professionally or from your printer and put them in a nice frame/display.   

5.  Booth design that acts as a barrier.  If you can't invite someone into your booth for a conversation, that means they are lingering in the aisle where they are going to get pushed around and more likely to keep walking.  Don't put a table right at the front of your booth, leave room for them step into your space and chat with you.

6.  Inexperienced staff.  You are at the show to sell/market your services.  If you have inexperienced staff at your booth, that's what you are advertising to your customer, that you are inexperienced.  Prepare your staff ahead of time to be able to answer questions and train them appropriately for the event.  

7.  Passing out literature instead of having a conversation.  If you want to just hand out literature, you should participate in the Bride Bag.  People can read about your company online, they come to the show to have a conversation and to be told why you are the right vendor for their big day. 

8.  Talking and not listening.  Let the customer ask their questions and listen to what they want.  If you are always sales pitching, you may miss important details to know if they are the right client for you or not.

9.  Sitting in the back of the booth.  You look disinterested and hard to approach, be sure to check in with your body language and be approachable.

10.  Eating, being on your phone, working on computer etc.  By being unavailable you miss the opportunity to talk with someone.  Be sure to have a team member there who can cover for you if you need to eat your lunch or take a call.  If you aren't present and available to chat, you are going to miss potential sales.

11.  No means of gathering contact info.  Be sure to have a method of capturing potential leads.  Yes, we send you the attendee list after the show, but some of these customers may not be in need of your service.  Ensure you are capturing the details of people who are interested in what you have to offer and give them an easy digital from to fill out.  Don't leave it up to them to contact you by just taking your card.

12.  Poor follow up or no follow up.  It's one thing to have access to the attendee list of your hot leads from the show, it's another thing to use them.  It's also another thing to rely solely on that list vs people that are specifically interested in your product or service.  Be sure to follow up with brides and customers within the days of the show so you are fresh in their minds.  Don't just do it once either, follow up with them again the month after to remind them!  Sort them by wedding date and create a system for yourself where you can follow up with them as their wedding date approaches as well.  Brides and Grooms have a lot going on before the wedding, they may need some reminding.

Proof of General Liability insurance in mandatory for our shows. Coverage dates must include Move-In and Move-Out, December 2 - December 8, 2025. Liability requirements are $1,000,000.
Please email a copy of your certificate to pipern@mpeshows.com to keep on file prior to show open.

It is required that we are listed on your policy as additional insured:
Marketplace Events LLC
2000 Auburn Dr Ste 200        
Beachwood, OH 44122

Don't have an insurance provider? There are several companies which offer short term insurance for events, such as John Buttine Insurance, ACT insurance, or Hartford Insurance.

PARKING

Free parking is available to all exhibitors in the Blue and Gold Parking Lots on South Meridian Street, across from the show. No overnight parking is allowed in these lots. Handicap spots are available at the front of both of these lots.

Recreational Vehicle Overnight Parking is available throughout the year in the Orange RV lot only. This RV lot offers full hook up services – power, water and sewage, however, water may be turned off during freezing weather. Anyone wishing to reserve an RV space must register in advance with the Washington State Fair Events Center. The Administration Office is open during business hours Monday through Friday. For use of a RV site, the Washington State Fair Events Center charges a daily fee of $42.00. If you have any questions or would like to pre-register please call the Washington State Fair Events Center at 253-845-1771.

The Washington State Fair Events Center offers open Wi-Fi access but doesn’t provide technical support. The Wi-Fi is free to use and no password is required. For access please go into your phone settings and select “Fair Guest”. Make sure you wait and select “Accept Terms” when prompted.

You can also connect your POS systems to a personal hotspot for reliable internet access. This ensures seamless transactions even when traditional WiFi is unavailable.

The Washington State Fair Events Center does not provide DSL service. For a secured line you must order from Lumen and complete the telephone order form (see above) and return it to the Fair Office or order through a local provider. If you have questions please call Brenda at the Washington State Fair Events Center at 253-841-5057.

	202 15th Avenue SW Puyallup, Washington 98371

Victorian Christmas Festival Vendor Guest Rooms | Fairfield by Marriott Puyallup, WA or by calling the hotel directly at 253-770-3100.

Reservations must be made online/by individual call in no later than November 7^th, 2025

OTHER HOTEL OPTIONS:

Best Western Plus Puyallup, WA

Website: Best Western Plus Plaza Hotel & Conference Center | Hotel Rooms

Phone: 253-848-1500

Holiday Inn Express Puyallup, WA

Website: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Puyallup (Tacoma Area) - Puyallup, United States

Phone: 253-848-4900

The Hampton Inn & Suites Puyallup

Website: The Hampton Inn & Suites Puyallup

Phone: 253-770-8880

Sponsorship Opportunities and Booth Traffic Drivers - Get some extra bang for your buck at the Victorian Country Christmas Festival! Work with us to get more people to your booth.

Guest Passes - All Exhibitors will receive 6 complimentary tickets per company! Send guest show tickets to your clients, prospects and friends. Pick up your guest passes during move-in from the Show Office. If you would like to order more than the 6 tickets provided, additional passes can be purchased for only $10.00 each.

Click Below to download a flyer to have at you place of business to hand out to your loyal customers and they will receive a $2.00 discount off ticket prices!

Ticket Promo QR code flyer coming soon...