How do you find vendor events near you? • Google Search – Most craft fairs and vendor events have have a website, so a quick Google search can help you get started. Search for “vendor event (insert name of your city)” and see what pops up. You can also search for “craft fair” or “holiday fair.” • Local Facebook Groups – Community groups for your local area are a great way to see what’s going on locally in the next few months. Also don’t just look in your city. Make sure you expand your search to cities within driving distance. • Craigslist – is a great way to find events in your area. You can filter by different geographical regions around you, the dates you’re looking for, and even specific types of events. • Newspaper – Your local newspaper is still a great source for getting information on upcoming events in your area. Events can usually be found in the local section of the newspaper. • Chamber of Commerce – These guys are in the know on all the local happenings, so check your local Chamber’s website often. While you’re at it, see if they have any directories or networking events that would work well for your direct sales business. • Schools – Many schools have fairs and festivals that are used as fundraisers. Not all of them take vendors outside of parents, but it never hurts to ask. If you’re the parent of a student, this is also a great way to get your business out to the other parents at the school. • News Channel websites – Your local news station usually has a website that includes local events. Check regularly for any that are accepting vendor applications. • Non-profit organizations – Contact your local non-profit organizations to see if they offer any type of vendor or exhibitor events that you can either participate in or offer as a fundraiser. Many have fundraising events to bring awareness to their cause. • Holiday and Craft Fairs – There’s usually a swarm of holiday-type vendor events and craft fairs during the last quarter of the year. Some are small and take place at a local church, but others are huge and can take up an entire convention center. • Bridal Shows – Don’t forget about all those soon-to-be newlyweds! They’re starting to put together their own home and need stuff to fill it. If you offer anything home or fashion-related, wedding registries or bridal shower parties with local brides can give you a pretty big business boost. • Fair websites – Many websites specialize in events. Fairsandfestivals.net and Myfairsandfestivals.com are two big ones to check out. • Other Direct Sellers – We all have direct sales friends. Reach out to them and see what vendor events they have personally participated in and if they know of anything coming up. • EventBrite – Type the word “vendor” in the eventbrite.com search box, and the first list that comes up will be events in your local community. Including: Vendor Opportunities for Women, Vendor Booth, Craft Vendor, Vendor Fair & Jewelry Vendor. Search and go! There are so many fairs, festivals, and summer flea markets in our area where you can promote your business. As a fellow small business owner, I love seeing businesses like yours thrive and become a part of our community. I've put together a list of websites that list vendor events in Minnesota and beyond to help you out. Minnesota County Fairs Guiding, educating, and informing county fairs Arts & Craft Shows In Minnesota Includes other states Minnesota Festivals Includes other states MN Listings Of Fairs & Festivals Facebook group Minnesota Festivals Facebook page