Vendor Thread

[mbroberg]

I've been contacted by Jon David Jones about setting up as a vendor at the MPG. I told him what I know and that everything I told him was tentative.

Has anyone volunteered to be vendor liaison yet? Is it too early to open that up?

 

[Magicbob]

Mike,
I can work with you on this if no one else steps up.
My initial proposal was that vendor space would cost $100 for the first table and $10 for each extra table.
I would also hope each vendor would donate to the prize pool

 

[mbroberg]

I guess my biggest question right now is how we will handle vendor registration and payment. Are their plans to establish an MPG checking account? Will there be a treasurer to mail a registration to or will we collect at the event? Who will keep track of the various needs of the vendors (number of tables, electricity, other)?

 

[bobjackson]

I propose we set up a checking account with Magic, Mark, and Mike as signers. We also can get a debit card with the account for necessary purchases.

 

[mark james]

First Merit has offices in Medina, Westerville and Wadsworth.

I can go there and open an account and get signature authority sheets for Mike and Magic?

In the past - 5 years ago; I opened an account there for a scholarship fund after a friend passes away, and it was a NON-Interest bearing account, so no IRS issues for declaring interest.

 

[bobjackson]

Will we have to pay a deposit on the hotel? Do we need seed money now? Who volunteers to plat treasurer and be a mailing address for receiving checks? So many questions. Thanks Mark.

 

[mbroberg]

Are we going to offer pre-registration? If so, will their be an incentive to do so such as a discount ($20 per family pre-register, $30 per family at the door)

 

[Argo13]

Either vendor relations and/or treasurer seem like jobs I can do in the off hours. So I can step up if you wish. Also a First Merit in the falls

 

[mbroberg]

Since I am going to be soliciting vendors for prizes I guess I could do the Vendor Liaison job. If Jason is gong to be Treasurer I don't think I would need to be a signer on the account unless you just want one more person in the mix.

 

[Magicbob]

Registration: $20.00 per family (Man, wife & minor children, adult children require separate registration.)

Pre-Registration: $15.00 requires payment before March 15 and one nights stay with the host hotel

Vendors Fee: $100.00 includes 1 eight ft. table extra tables $10.00 each. Includes admission for two people.

I hope to have a big announcement Wednesday. After we can get a flyer together and start promoting and accepting registrations.

 

[bobjackson]

If Jason is going to be treasurer, he should be a signer.

 

[Argo13]

It is probably easiest to all ( the signers) go together when opening the account. Otherwise the opener will have to go back with each addition of a new signer.

That was the case with a club that I was an officer.

I be happy to travel wherever we want to meet.

Once everything is in place I will make reports available on at least a monthly basis ( more if needed) for accountability.

Jason

 

[mark james]

Jason, if you will handle opening the account, it may not be necessary for multiple signatures. We should be able to link it to a PayPal, then do everything that way. And maybe as Bob mentioned a debit card for hands-on purchases.

Vendor and registrants - send in money.

MPG expenses - send you the particulars and you handle the rest.

If accountability is a concern (not one of mine, but the IAP membership may), Magic, you and I could work out maybe a Saturday to meet. Or 2 of us.

 

[Argo13]

I will open up the account at first merit this week if there are no objections. I'll handle the minimum deposit and apply it to my registration. Then set up PayPal.

Jason

 

[mbroberg]

Registration: $20.00 per family (Man, wife & minor children, adult children require separate registration.)

Pre-Registration: $15.00 requires payment before March 15 and one nights stay with the host hotel

Vendors Fee: $100.00 includes 1 eight ft. table extra tables $10.00 each. Includes admission for two people.

I hope to have a big announcement Wednesday. After we can get a flyer together and start promoting and accepting registrations.

It's Friday and the suspense is killing me! I LOVE BIG announcements. Tell me! Tell me!

 

[Magicbob]

It's Friday and the suspense is killing me! I LOVE BIG announcements. Tell me! Tell me!

I was hoping to have an answer buy now, but this is taking longer than I'd hoped.

I have been in discussion with Hartville Hardware about "Title Sponsorship"

The people I spoke with were willing, but management must make the final decision.

The Sponsorship will involve one of the following:
1. HH donating a lathe, we will use it for demos and then be free to auction or raffle it off.
or
2. A cash donation of at least $500

If HH Management ops for #2 or neither, they will still provide a lathe for us to use and return.

If they choose to be the "Title Sponsor" Their name should appear on all advertising and flyers, etc. we produce.

The 2016 Midwest Penturners Gathering
presented by
HARTVILLE HARDWARE
​

I'll let you guys know as soon as I do.

 

[Magicbob]

I hope this is not overstepping my authority (or lack there of), and meets with every one's approval;

In my discussion with Hartville, I offered them a vendor table as a thank you for all they do for us during the year.

I thought it only right, as they give us meeting space, a lathe to use, and they clean up the mess when we leave. And they still seem to like us.

I did advise them not to bring pen kits and blanks, but rather tools and other items that no other vendor would have.

 

[mark james]

I hope this is not overstepping my authority (or lack there of), and meets with every one's approval;

In my discussion with Hartville, I offered them a vendor table as a thank you for all they do for us during the year.

I thought it only right, as they give us meeting space, a lathe to use, and they clean up the mess when we leave. And they still seem to like us.

I did advise them not to bring pen kits and blanks, but rather tools and other items that no other vendor would have.

I'm fine with these - Nice effort Bob! You Jason and Mike have been busy!

 

[Argo13]

Wow Bob,

That has great potential! I think if they do have a table with tools, etc... That we can use that as for marketing regardless of whether they do the title sponsor or not. And of course they have been a great partner for our chapter.

Will this cause any problems with other vendors?

 

[Magicbob]

Will this cause any problems with other vendors?

We won't tell anyone they got a free table, and if they are selling stuff the other guys are not, how can there be a problem.

 

[Argo13]

I agree. Thought it deserved the captain obvious moment.

 

[mbroberg]

I don't have a problem with the table and I love the idea of possibly having a lathe to give away! The $500 ain't a bad option either. My only suggestion is that their name should be presented as the "sponsor", not the "presenter"

The 2016 Midwest Penturners Gathering
presented sponsored by
HARTVILLE HARDWARE
​

After all, it is the Ohio Chapter of the IAP / MPG Planning Committee that is presenting it.

 

[Magicbob]

true

Those are my words not theirs

 

[Magicbob]

Got a call from Hartville today.
Upper Management is discussing with owners to determine how much they want to donate.
Kevin called Teknatool, they will be donating a Comet II Midi Lathe to us.
How sweet is that? A lathe to use and then raffle or auction off, and HH is still deciding what they want to do.

We will need to give Teknatool prime billing on all ads as well.


Still working on a few more things....................TBA

 

[mark james]

Keep working your Magic... Bob! That is excellent news.

 

[Argo13]

Now that's what I call pulling a rabbit out of the hat! Nice one Bob!

 

[mbroberg]

That is Cool!!!

 

[bobjackson]

Great job Magic.

 

[mbroberg]

Would it be OK to put Teknatool down as a prize donor on the Facebook page?

 

[Magicbob]

Yes,I think it would be okay

 

[mbroberg]

Are we ready to start taking registrations from vendors? If so, I'll makean announcement on the forum and on Facebook.

 

[Argo13]

Mike,

Let me retool the registration form. In reviewing the PayPal rules and implications of using the integrated tool. I think we will have to have them fill out the form and send PayPal separately.

The two issues are fees and taxes

No way to have them use the integrated PayPal and use friends and family. We would have to pay fees and I would be on the line for taxes for the payments. So while it may be more work friends and family is best for are situation.

I will try to have it done tonight.

Jason

 

[Argo13]

Sorry wrong thread. Missed the word vendor. doh!

 

[mbroberg]

Don't knock yourself out trying to get it done tonight. Just let me know when I should start recruiting vendors.

 

[Argo13]

I think we are ok with vendors. Will they be ok with PayPal or would they prefer writing checks? They would have to write the check to me to deposit in the account. I will be happy to issue receipts with the MPG information on it. I just have to link the email and bank account for PayPal to work. I will let all know when that is done.

Jason

 

[bobjackson]

Mike

Taco Sleaze (facebook name) lives in Cleveland and sells pen blanks as Woodwrite Pen Blanks. He might possibly be interested in being a vendor at the MPG.

 

[mbroberg]

I'll get in touch with him. I am currently soliciting prizes. I haven't solicited vendors real hard yet because i want them to be able to register. Once that is up and running I'll go for on-site vendors.

 

[bobjackson]

To the best of my knowledge he is not an IAP member but he sells a lot of blanks on facebook.

 

[Magicbob]

I just read the Classic Nib has acquired Signature Pen Supply

 

[mbroberg]

I received this PM from Rich Coors. This may be something to think about. Other than Hartville and Curtis we don't have any vendors. Maybe the $100 is scaring them off.

What would you guys think about revising the Vendor Fee to X% of sales or $100, whichever is less?

"Hi Mike, I wanted to give you a bit of information about my vendor sales at a typical MPG. I don't know if I gave you any vendor sales information during our early talk. There were years when I would sell between $250-$300, my best year was right at $450. The fee you guys have asked for would put me in quite a pinch in those slower years. I know that the fee is necessary, but if you need more vendors, might I suggest a variable supplier rate. Maybe an option to pay a percentage instead of the fixed fee for smaller vendors? Maybe you are doing just fine with what you have, and I read something into the post that isn't a problem. I'm just trying to be helpful with some additional information for you guys.

Rich"