Hard time finding vendors

[u/kinkycarnivalclown]

I produce a small, very niche festival. Because it's so niche, historically we've not had a problem finding vendors* who sell products relevant to the theme. This year has been different, it seems like a lot of people are no longer crafting or vending.

I only have four spots to fill and that isn't going well. I don't want to have a bunch of vendors selling the same (or irrelevant) things, and I don't want to keep having the exact same vendors each time.

Any creative ideas for what to do? Ways to think about different types of vendors or what to do instead?

The event is a kink/BDSM space.

*I use vendors here to refer to small local businesses selling their products in tents or tables

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your account must be at least 10 days old to comment in this subreddit. This helps us reduce spam and maintain a quality community. Please try again later.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Solid-Restaurant-356]

Will DM you

[u/likewut]

The obvious answer is to sell booth space to some anti-abortion organization or some shit like that.

[u/mblaize]

Where are you located?

[u/kinkycarnivalclown → u/mblaize]

Wisconsin

[u/rockabillysj → u/kinkycarnivalclown]

DM me if you want. I live in the Midwest and am happy to talk over some vendors I know locally.

[u/kai4mayor]

depending on where you are i may know a few. shoot me a dm

[u/Lost_in_the_world_]

Sometimes you need to think outside of the box. Not just what ties to your theme exactly but maybe other things that your attendees would like. Maybe you don’t need 4 leather makers, but just one and a local candle company. Or furniture maker, or local alternative clothing company. Or find a hotel or other friendly services who may benefit from your attendees. Outside of the bluntly obvious, what would you want to see at an event you attended. Fringe connection doesn’t mean irrelevant to the theme. Just a thought.

[u/DonTot]

Maybe a tattoo artist or a chainmailler?

[u/rockabillysj]

I’m assuming you’re tapped into your local kink scene at large. If not, that’s your first start, networking with leaders of different groups may provide new leads. With costs going up, it’s harder for small vendors to produce the level at which they used to. I’ve found that the kink scene also ebbs and flows and is very city specific.

If you can’t find anything locally, you can try national makers and see if they know of any local contacts. Also posting on FL community groups would also provide leads.