2023 Kuumba Fest Vendor Helpful Tips

A SAFE RETURN TO group activities

 

We encourage food handlers to use all best practices in food prep and serving, extra hand sanitizer stations, and increased sanitation, cleaning and disinfection protocol, and multiple cleaning of high-touch surfaces.

Retail & Information Vendors 

There are many opportunities to market, network:  If you would like to step up on the stage, have a commercial ready to speak about your business.

Donate your product or an item of your choosing for the customer opportunity drawings.  We will hold 4 drawings throughout the weekend.  We ask vendors to donate something that you would give away to a potential customer.

A few helpful tips: 

• Bring water and snacks. 

• You should dress comfortably.  

• It's a good idea to have a helper with you. 

• Post to your website, Instagram Facebook, send email blast to your customers, friends, family to come down and see a show at the festival.  

• Offer some incentive to customers who see you at the festival.  Offer incentives to those who come by your store after visiting you at the Kuumba Fest weekend.  

• Bring change and be ready to accept various forms of payment.  We suggest setting up the app for the “THE Square”.

https://squareup.com/?gclid=CKXC64zywrwCFYNQ7AodiCgAGg

or Paypal, Cash APP, Venmo, Zelle, Apple Pay, Google Pay

The Square Is free!  This will allow you to accept credit card payments. 

• Bring money to shop and buy food from other vendors. 

• Have plenty of business cards and flyers to network and market yourself.  

• Sign up for free on BuyblackSD.com and market yourself.  

  • It’s almost Summer, consider having lovers deals, couples merchandise, discounts…

  • Parking is on your own. You can look for free street parking (Be sure to read the signs closely)

  • If you have helpers or others who will be sitting at your booth, please be sure they get a wristband and you provide me with names. 

  • Take a look at the website and look at the various days and events.  Be sure that you have product and merchandise that caterers to your audience. 

  • Have varying prices, for the young shopper and the high end sophisticated shopper.

  • Begin advertising and marketing yourself.  If you have a website, let everyone know they can see you there.  Create a flyer! 

  • Bring marketing materials to the festival that we can hand out to draw shoppers to your booth

  • Be prepared with special deals and grabbers!  No Tax, 10% off, Deals that will bring them to your shop (Bring this flyer to showy you saw me at the Kuumba Fest to the store and receive a ??? off your purchase.

  •  Make your area look inviting.  You don’t need to bring your entire store to the festival.  Decide what would be best for the audience.

Friday- A Night of Positive Images Gala Dinner Keynote Speaker

Saturday- Parade, Workshops, Fitness/Beauty, Taste of Soul Competition Concert in the Park.

Sunday- Soul Celebration; Play, Dance show, concert (Church Crowd) Families