Urban League Seeks Vendors for National Conference in St. Louis

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1 Contact Information for Immediate Release Name: Angelia Bills, Vice President of Communications Telephone: Urban League Seeks Vendors for National Conference in St. Louis The National Urban League and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis are currently seeking small local African-American entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products to the conference attendees during the National Urban League Conference which will be held at America s Center in St. Louis, Missouri July 26 - July 29, Merchandise should be unique, not mass produced, manufactured locally and of a high quality. Books and food items will not be considered. Vendors who wish to participate in the Marketplace may pick up an application at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis office located at 3701 Grandel Square or call Urban League Special Events at to have an application sent to you. The cost for an approved Vendor booth is there is a $50 nonrefundable application fee that will be applied to an approved booth. The deadline for application is June 30, The following list of products are areas of special interest: Clothing (Children & Adult) Hats & Accessories Home Accessories Neck ties Quilts Leather goods Jewelry Wood Carving Ceramics Baskets Brooms Dolls Cards Please contact Urban League Special Events Department with additional questions: Kathi Hadley or Tom Bailey End-

2 Date Dear Minority Business Entrepreneur: The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis will host the National Urban League Conference July 26 29, One of the 2017 highlights is The Marketplace. The showcase will give small African-American community-based entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase and sell their products. The Showcase is open to entrepreneurs in specifically identified disciplines that address the mission of the National Urban League for this event. As an African-American vendor who may wish to participate in this event, we extend this invitation to you. In order to accept, we ask that you: 1. Review the attached RULES FOR EXHIBITING to assure that you can fully comply; 2. Complete the attached APPLICATION; and 3. Return the APPLICATION via for review. The review process will begin on April 17, 2017 and will end on June 30, Late entries are not guaranteed review. We will contact you within two weeks of receipt of your information to inform you of our decision. We hope that you choose to take advantage of this opportunity. Last year, the National Conference attracted over 21,000 participants and St. Louis hopes to do even better. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis The Marketplace Committee

3 VENDOR SELECTION INTERVIEW SHEET (For Committee Use Only) VENDOR: BUSINESS NAME: ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: (DAY) (CELL) CONTACT: PRODUCTS: LOCATION: LENGTH OF OPERATON AT THIS SITE: PRICE RANGE OF PRODUCTS: Gross Sales under $200,000 Yes No Is product locally manufactured? Yes No Is product hand-made or self-made? Yes No Can product be hand-carried? Yes No Artistic Value Low High Creativity Low High Uniqueness Low High Quality Low High Price Low High Comments:

4 The Marketplace is one of the many ways the National Urban League continues to establish its commitment to providing African-American small businesses an opportunity to showcase and sell their products. Dates / Hours The Marketplace will be open for business during the following times: Thursday, July 27, :30am 5:00pm Friday, July 28, :30am - 5:00pm Saturday, July 29, :30am 4:00pm The Marketplace will be held at the America s Center 701 Convention Plaza, St. Louis Missouri The Marketplace will be located in a HIGH TRAFFIC AREA of the Convention Center. This will allow for maximum exposure during The Marketplace hours of operation. Sometimes program changes may necessitate changes in the hours for The Marketplace. The aim is always to maximize opportunities in the schedule when foot traffic will be optimal. Fees The Marketplace Booth Application Deadline is June 30, There is an application fee of $ It is non-refundable and should be made payable to Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Money order, cashier s check or credit card only will be accepted forms of payment. Personal or business checks will be returned. Applications will not be processed unless accompanied by the $50.00 payment. The Marketplace Booth fee is $ (less the $50.00 booth application fee that is required when you submit your Marketplace Booth application). Therefore you will pay a $ final balance / booth rental fee which is non-refundable and should be made payable to Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Please do not submit booth rental fee prior to receiving notification of selection. Partial payment of booth rental (other than the $50.00 application fee) will not be accepted. Your booth will be re-assigned if the booth rental fee, booth deposit fee and signed contract are not received and processed by the July 14, 2017 deadline. Vendors will be allowed to carry their items directly into the convention center. Vendors needing assistance with heavy items and vendors bringing materials into the convention center through the loading dock will be charged an additional drayage fee. This fee must be paid to the official show decorator. Estimated cost will be $ Booth Display Individual booth spaces measure approximately 8ft x 8ft and have a pipe, drape and a backdrop. One 8ft table and two (2) chairs will be provided All displays must be a professional, high-quality exhibit.

5 Booth Display Cont. Creativity and uniqueness with exhibits are encouraged During hours that The Marketplace is not open, limited security will be provided. Each vendor should either remove all high value merchandise at the end of the day or bring appropriate covering to place over and secure their display. *IMPORTANT NOTE: Expensive merchandise should not be left out during the evening or during hours when The Marketplace is closed. Sales Tax & License Each vendor permitted to exhibit and sell crafts or other artwork at the 2017 NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CONFERENCE Marketplace must individually comply with all pertinent State of Missouri and city of st. Louis laws and ordinances and obtain all necessary permits and licenses. Vendors must handle this with the appropriate City and State tax officials. The Marketplace Standards All products must be hand-made or self-made by the vendor (no mass produced articles may be sold exhibited). No food products may be sold (this would violate NUL contracts with the convention center). Articles for sale should have some artistic and / or creative value (i.e., jewelry, one of a kind clothing, carvings, leather bags, etc.). NO books (novels, text books, etc.) are allowed. Vendors should be individual entrepreneurs or small partnerships, not established businesses, corporations or distributors. Vendor s annual sales should not exceed $200,000. Selection criteria will be based on creativity, uniqueness of design, original concept and quality of merchandise. The Marketplace Policies Vendors must be legal residents of Missouri at the time of the conference, and must manufacture the merchandise in the City of St. Louis or the state. Vendor must have assigned booth and position. Each booth space is 8 x8. There may be two vendors per booth depending on demand and request. Vendors may share a booth only with prior and written approval from the Marketplace coordinator. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis will decide which vendors are paired together. Each booth will be draped on three sides with one draped 8 table and 2 chairs. Vendors needing assistance in bringing heavy or non-hand carryable items into the convention center will be charged a drayage fee of TBD by the show s official decorator. Vendors must staff the booth (responsible adults only) at all times during exhibit hours. Only one person per half booth will be permitted in the case of sharing.

6 The Marketplace Policies Cont. There may be no selling or handing out of printed material or other information in any area in America s center other than the assigned booth. Vendors who do not comply with the rules will be requested to dismantle their exhibits and leave the convention center. On-Site Inspection An on-site inspection will be conducted to ensure that vendors are in compliance with exhibition standards and rules. Non-compliance and / or breach of contract may result in booth closure and forfeiture of all fees. Load-In & Set-Up Upon selection, you will receive a contract agreement packet and acceptance letter. Vendors will be notified of all pertinent information in the contract agreement and acceptance packet. Set-Up is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, 2017 from 7:30am to 4:00pm. Daily setup once the show opens is 10:30am Thursday July 27, 2017 to Saturday, July 29, Because of The Marketplace location in a HIGH TRAFFIC AREA it is imperative that vendors be completely set-up each day by 10:30am. We strive to have a Marketplace that is a professional as possible. Vendors MUST adhere to the time following time schedule: Initial Set-up: Wednesday, July 26, :30am to 4:00pm Daily Set-up: Thursday, July 27, :30am Friday, July 28, :30am Saturday, July 29, :30am Tear Down: Saturday, July 30 5:00pm to 12am (tentative) Agreement Upon notification of selection, each vendor will be required to sign The Marketplace Contract Agreement containing such terms and conditions as the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Notification of selection is preliminary only and is not binding on the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis or the Marketplace organizers and they reserve the right to reject any selected applicant at their sole discretion. Signed application and contract agreement, deposit and full booth rental fee must be received by the July 14, 2017 deadline. Until The Marketplace Agreement is fully executed, i.e. signed by the selected applicant and countersigned by the Marketplace coordinator, and all required fees have been paid in full, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis shall have no contractual or other obligation whatsoever to the selected applicant.

7 THE MARKETPLACE RULES FOR EXHIBITING The cost of a Vendor Booth in The Marketplace is $ There is a $50 nonrefundable application fee that will be applied to an approved booth and deducted from the $ booth fee. ALL Vendor Applications must be received by June 30, This will leave a final balance of $ which MUST be paid in full by no later than July 14, Vendor must be a legal resident of the City of St. Louis or the State of Missouri and manufacture the merchandise in the City or State. Vendor must have operated this business for at least one year. Vendor must agree to be interviewed by the Committee Vendor must agree to a Committee On-site visit to its establishment. Vendor must participate in at least one orientation session prior to the Conference. Vendor must be an individual entrepreneur or small partnership; no national or regional focus, corporations or distributors. Vendor must pay for extraordinary fees charged by the Convention Center should they require services that generate those extraordinary fees (e.g., electrical outlets). All labor costs are to be paid on the spot, whether it is to the convention center services or the Exhibit Services Contractor, at the prevailing labor rates. Vendors will be assigned a booth and position. Each full booth space is 8 x8. In order to accommodate additional vendors, there may be two vendors per booth depending on demand. Each booth will be draped on three sides with one draped 8 table and 2 chairs. Vendor must ensure that the booth be staffed by a responsible person at all times during the established Marketplace hours. Vendor s product(s) description qualifications: 1. No food products. 2. Product must be in vendor s regular product line. 3. Article(s) for sale will have artistic and / or creative value. 4. No mass manufactured items. Because piracy and counterfeiting of consumer products (e.g. CD s, DVD s, software, watches, electronic equipment, clothing, processed foods and auto parts) are on the rise around the world, the Department of commerce requires that all vendors have intellectual property rights to the items that they are selling or are licensed to sell patented or trademarked items. Vendor must agree to set-up and dismantle at only the pre-determined times. Vendor must agree to provide a contact name, name of business, business address, phone number and accurate product description to the Committee and permit the same to be printed, published and distributed during the conference. Vendor is responsible for obtaining all certificates and retail sale permits required to sell items. There may be no selling or handing out of printed material or other information in any area in the convention center other than the assigned booth. No vendor shall assign, sublet or share space allotted without the knowledge and consent of The Marketplace Coordinator / Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Vendors display must be contained completely within the specified boundaries of the assigned booth. No portion of the display may extend into the aisle or into adjoining booth or other outside perimeters of the booth. Vendors must take reasonable precautions to protect their property. The National Urban League or the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items.

8 APPLICATION This Application form must be returned to the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis by no later than June 30, Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Also please be sure to read the Rules for Exhibiting included in this packet. The cost of a booth in The Marketplace is $ which includes a $50.00 non-refundable application fee. Name: Business Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: ( ) Evenings: ( ) Cell: ( ) Website: Do you handcraft the work submitted? Yes No Booth Preference (NOT GURANTEED) Corner Booth Standard Booth MEDIA / CATEGORY Jewelry Leather Dolls Mixed Media (2D) Wearable / Clothing Wood Toys Mixed Media (3D) Wearable / Other Metal Musical Instruments Photography Children s Clothing Clay / Ceramics Painting Hats / Millinery Glass Drawing Home Décor Sculpture Printmaking / Graphics Other (Please specify) NOTE: If necessary, The Marketplace coordinator reserves the right to reclassig=fy an artist s submission to a reappropriate media / category PRODUCT DESCRIPTION (Photos of merchandise or samples required). Item 1 Media / Category Dimensions Process Item 2 Media / Category Dimensions Process Item 3 Media / Category Dimensions Process NOTE: to list additional items, please attach plain paper.

9 APPLICATION PRODUCT INFORMATION / ARTIST STATEMENT In twenty words or less, describe your artistic process, techniques and artistic concept. By signing this application form, applicant agrees that the products submitted are representative of work to be exhibited and that all work submitted is of original design and handcrafted by the undersigned. I have read the Rules for Exhibiting and do agree to adhere to it. APPLICANT SIGNATURE: DATE: Please send application and $50.00 non-refundable application fee to: specialevents@urbanleague-stl.org or mail to: Attn: Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis 3701 Grandel Square St. Louis, Missouri Special Events Department or Please Charge My Card: Master Card Visa American Express Amount ($50.00 required with application) $ Card Number Expiration Date Security Code Signature

10 CONTRACT AGREEMENT 2017 NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CONFERENCE This AGREEMENT is between the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and. RE: Participation in the 2017 National Urban League Conference The Marketplace, July 26 9, 2017 at America s center in St. Louis, Missouri. It is agreed that (VENDOR) will be provided an exhibit area at the America s Center during the 2017 NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CONFERENCE, July th in accordance with the attached Rules for Exhibiting. Vendor is authorized to participate in The Marketplace and to sell those items that were screened, evaluated and approved by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Vendor certifies that they have received and read the Rules for Exhibiting and that they will conform to the said rules. Failure to comply with the rules will result in the vendor being required to dismantle their exhibit and leave the convention Center. Vendor agrees to indemnify and hold the NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis harmless from any and all claims, demands, damages or other liability including costs and attorney fees arising out the acts or omissions of the vendor, its officers, its agents, its employees or any of its activities in connection with the participation in The Marketplace or any matter related thereto. Employees of the vendor are not employees of the NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE or the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis or America s Center. Failure to comply with applicable law will also be grounds for terminating this agreement and ejection from The Marketplace. VENDOR NAME BUSINESS SIGNATURE DATE URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN ST LOUIS SIGNATURE DATE The Marketplace Coordinator