Getting a Music Festival Vendor Application to Stand Out.

For all types of vendors getting a pitch at the most popular music festivals can be a challenge because applications are often oversubscribed. High volume music festivals can provide the most profitable opportunities for vendors which drives demand, how can a potential vendor get their application to stand out and help secure a pitch space.

Music festival organisers will usually have a strict process for sifting and selecting the vendors they want at their events. Every organiser will have a slightly different process which can vary from a basic online questionnaire application form to a comprehensive one that requires a more professional proposal from the vendor. The onus is on the potential vendors to demonstrate why they should be selected over other applicants. What factors should vendors consider when making their pitch space application? 

Festival Demographics and Themes. 
Organisers will be looking at potential vendors for their overall ‘fit’ with the festival so it is important for vendors to conduct thorough research about the event. Understanding the audience demographics is essential and organisers often publish this information in the public domain. This helps to determine if the vendor’s offerings match the potential audience. It's also good to gain an understanding of the overall festival ethos and likely themes so an application can be tailored specifically to that event. 

Basic Qualification. 
Every music festival will demand that potential vendors can evidence any legally required certifications so vendors should ensure that their food safety and allergen labelling are up to date. The same requirement will be made for any public liability insurance and health and safety compliance protocols. Assuming that the basic legal requirements have been met the application must be submitted within the stipulated timescale and be presented in a professional manner. Where possible adding quality images and additional information like pricing and suggested menus can enhance the application’s appearance. 

Sustainability. 
Music festivals now publish their sustainability objectives and credentials so it is important that a vendor aligns with this. For food and beverage vendors it’s important to highlight their waste management processes and demonstrate how ingredients come from organic eco-friendly sources. For non-food vendors highlighting the sourcing process for merchandise that shows products have been made using materials and methods aimed at reducing environmental harm. This may include organic cotton, hemp, bamboo and other eco-friendly fabrics and even recycled and upcycled materials like plastic bottles and other fabrics. 

Experience and Offering. 
Festival organisers will usually prioritise vendor applicants that can provide evidence of previous experience along with testimonials. This shows organisers that the vendor is reliable and offers quality sustainable products that fit with many festival requirements. Food and beverage vendors will have a better chance of being selected if they can offer speciality foods and cuisine that are healthy and environmentally friendly as this helps organisers increase choice for festival-goers. Adding in additional vendor features like workshops and tastings can increase audience engagement and make a vendor stand out because they are offering more than a basic transaction. 

Any vendor just starting out should build up their experience by perhaps applying for a pitch space at smaller local events where spaces are not oversubscribed. Once they have a good portfolio of testimonials and a festival attendance history, they will increase their chances of securing a pitch space at one of the larger more popular music festivals. 

For festival organisers planning their next events using a software management platform like Festival Pro gives them all the functionality they need manage every aspect of their event logistics. The guys who are responsible for this software have been in the front line of event management for many years and the features are built from that experience and are performance artists themselves. The Festival Pro platform is easy to use and has comprehensive features with specific modules for managing artists, contractors, venues/stages, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, guestlists, ticketing, cashless payments and contactless ordering.

Image by MART PRODUCTION via Pexels

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