PORTLAND FINE CRAFT SHOW
EXHIBITORS GUIDE
Welcome to the Eighth Annual Portland Fine Craft Show! This private page is your guide for all of the dates, deadlines, and aspects of the event. The guide will be updated throughout the spring/summer as more is finalized. All exhibitors are responsible for reading this guide to understand all the show policies and details.
Thank you for joining us!
QUICK LINKS
General Show Information
SHOW DESCRIPTION
The Portland Fine Craft Show is free and open to the public and features exhibitors from Maine and the Northeast exhibiting fine craft in the following media categories: basketry, ceramics, fiber decorative, fiber wearable, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, printmaking, stone, and wood, as well as outreach booths featuring New England arts organizations, schools, and guilds by special invitation. Starting in 2015 The Portland Fine Craft Show remains one of the only Maine craft shows open to artists not living in Maine, is well-organized, with a reputation for high quality and high attendance.
SHOW PRODUCER
The 2023 8th Annual Portland Fine Craft Show is produced by Shop Maine Craft.
Shop Maine Craft is a hub of craft artist resources, retail sales, fine craft shows, and special events designed to support Maine’s creative economy by creating income opportunities for craft artists. Shop Maine Craft profits from sales and events that directly support individual craft artists, as well as, the Maine Crafts Association, a non-profit organization serving Maine artists, their studio practices, businesses, and community since 1983.
Shop Maine Craft is a c-corporation created through the restructuring of the Maine Crafts Association completed in 2022. The Maine Crafts Association a 501(c)(3) established in 1983 continues to offer craft-based educational, community-building, and outreach programs to its members and the larger community. Shop Maine Craft now manages the programs, developed by the MCA, which directly focus on shopping: two galleries, several shows & markets, and the webshop.
SHOW STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Show Director:
Simonne Feeney
simonne@shopmainecraft.com
207-805-4918
SHOW DATE AND HOURS
Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Rain or Shine
SHOW LOCATION
Free Street Parking Lot, 120 Free Street, Portland, ME 04101, otherwise known as the Show Zone.
2023 SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Want to know about sponsoring the show and the sponsorship benefits?
Contact Simonne@ShopMaineCraft.com
Booth Registration Details & Policies
Booth fees are due by March 24, 2023 and will confirm your place in the show. You must let SMC know by March 24 if you plan to exhibit. Your payment confirms your place. In years past you would receive a PayPal invoice for this fee. For 2023 you will register and pay, using the link below.
MCA PROFESSIONAL MEMBER BOOTH FEES
MCA Member Single Booth 10×10 in-line fee: $195.00
MCA Member Double Booth 10×20 in-line fee: $360.00
MCA Member Triple Booth 10×30 in-line fee: $540.00
+$50.00 charge for corner booth
NON-MEMBER BOOTH FEES
Non-Member Single Booth 10×10 in-line fee: $225.00
Non-Member Double Booth 10×20 in-line fee: $420.00
Non-Member Triple Booth 10×30 in-line fee: $630.00
+$50.00 charge for corner booth
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:
- 90 days or more prior to the event (Sunday, May 28th): Full refund less $25
- 31-89 days prior to the event (Monday, May 29 – Wednesday, July 26): 50% refund
- 30 or fewer days prior to the event (Thursday, July 27): No refunds
Show Rules & Policies
EXHIBITOR RULES & REGULATIONS
1. Exhibitors must be present at the show for all show hours and must be wearing exhibitor badges in lanyard/holders provided at load-in. Your badge also doubles as a day of show exhibitors’ guide.
2. Partner exhibitors may be represented by one member of the partnership.
3. Exhibitors must set up within the allotted time frame of 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. set-up.
4. Exhibitors must move vehicles from the show zone to a parking lot by 9:15 a.m. Exhibitors must be ready by 10 am for attendees.
5. Only the following media categories may be exhibited: baskets, ceramics, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, printmaking (hand printed using analog techniques only), stone, and wood. The following Media/Products may not be exhibited: specialty foods, personal care, candles, books, CDs/DVDs, cards, 2D fine art, photography, flower arrangements, buy-sell items, or any products made from commercially available kits.
6. As a reminder, you were juried based on the work used in your application and the media category you selected. You must adhere to bringing only this type of work with you. As an example, if you applied in the ceramic media category, please do not bring jewelry work, wood, etc. If you have questions about the accepted media and or media you wish to bring please contact the Show Director at Simonne@ShopMaineCraft.com
7. Standard 10×10 Ez-up (or equivalent) tents are required.
8. Proper Tent Weights are REQUIRED! Must be attached to tent poles and of substantial weight-the standard is 40lbs at each corner. We will not be weighing your weights but will insist that your weights are heavy enough to firmly ground your tent and that the weights are properly attached to the tent poles. If you’re in the market for tent weights, we suggest PVC pipe, end caps, big eye bolts, and concrete. If you arrive without tent weights you will not be allowed to set up with no refunds issued.
9. No tarps are allowed, tent side flaps that came with the tent are acceptable
10. No electricity or WiFi is available
11. Exhibitors must load out between 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. and adhere to a pack-in-place period from 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm.
12. At this time if you are fully vaccinated, masks and face coverings are not required for participants and show attendees of outdoor events in the State of Maine. This is subject to change.
ME STATE SALES TAX ID
Pre-show: If you are not already collecting ME state sales tax, REGISTER your Business
During the show: charge 5.5% on all your sales
Post-show: File / Pay sales Tax
For more info at https://portal.maine.gov/salestax/
Maine Revenue Services Contact Info:
(207) 624-9693 or email sales.tax@maine.gov
LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
Exhibitors display all work at their own risk and should carry appropriate insurance. Exhibitors are urged to carry ALL-RISK INSURANCE to protect against damage, loss, and all other hazards, from the time the materials leave their place of origin until they are returned after the show. Riders can usually be added to existing policies to get the needed coverage.
SALES EXCHANGE/REFUND POLICIES
SMC recommends that exhibitors post their refund, return, and exchange policies in their booths. It is not sufficient to have the policy printed on sales receipts as the receipt is received post-sale.
COVID-19 SAFETY/ MASK + FACE COVERINGS POLICY
At this time, the State of Maine is not requiring masks and face coverings for outdoor events. This section will be updated if there is a change and exhibitors will be required to follow any updates accordingly.
Exhibitor Amenities & Services
BADGES
Shop Maine Craft will provide all exhibitors with name tag badges and a mini-show guide at load-in; these must be worn throughout the show.
MEMBER SIGNS
A reminder to MCA Professional Level members- Bring your member sign to display in your booth. If you are an MCA member at the Professional Level and have not received your sign, email simonne@mainecrafts.org. Additionally, you can pick one up during the show at the SMC info booth.
COFFEE + TEA – TBD
LUNCH- TBD
CELL PHONE CHARGING STATION
The Shop Maine Craft info booth is located behind the Dogfish Bar and Grille. SMC will provide battery-powered cell phone chargers at the Info Booth for exhibitor use. The use of these chargers is limited and comes on a first come first serve basis.
BATHROOMS
The show provides Porta-Potties, located near both entrances and exits of the lot.
BOOTH SITTERS
SMC volunteers are on-hand for booth sitting. A cell phone number to a coordinator will also be provided for the day of the event for sitter requests, inside of your exhibitor badge.
SHOW AWARDS
Three exhibitors will be selected during the show for show awards, to be announced by social media. Be sure to follow the SMC on Instagram @ShopMaineCraft
Awards for Best Booth Design and Best of Show will be juried by the 2023 Show Awards Juror and announced during the day via social media.
The People’s Choice Award will be selected from visitor ballots throughout the day and announced at 4 p.m. via social media.
About the 2023 Awards Juror: TBD
FRIDAY, August 25th:
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm- TBD. Since 2021 advanced day load-in has been available. The show director will contact all exhibitors closer to the show date with more up to date details. Please see the Load In/Out section below.
SATURDAY, August 26th:
6:00 am – 10:00 am – Check in with SMC staff members and load in to the show zone. Upon arrival, you will receive your exhibitor badge, which will have your day of information and itinerary. Badges must be worn by exhibitors.
9:15 am – vehicles must be removed from the show zone at this time.
10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Show is open to the public.
11:00 am – Exhibitor lunches delivered.
4:00 pm – Show awards are announced via social media and show evaluation forms are due. A show volunteer will be collecting these forms at this time, please have them filled out by 4:00 pm.
5:00 pm – Show closes.
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm- Pack in place period, no exceptions.
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Exhibitor loadout from the show zone.
Marketing & Promotion
SMC FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM
The SMC will be featuring the show on Facebook and Instagram before and throughout the show. Be sure you are following us and please promote the show through your social media networks!
EXHIBITOR DOWNLOADS FOR EVENT PROMOTION: Coming Soon!
2023 PFCS Poster
2023 PFCS Postcard Front
2023 PFCS Postcard Back
2023 PFCS Instagram Square Image
SHOW GUIDE MAP + LISTINGS
In partnership with the West End News (WEN), a local paper serving the Greater Portland area including South Portland, Falmouth, Scarborough, Westbrook, and Brunswick, we have printed a four-page color Show Guide Map. The Show Guide will be an insert in the August edition of West End News (8,500 copies distributed) and will be distributed as a stand-alone piece to show visitors. Additionally, the Show Guide Map will be added to the Maine Sunday Telegram for the first Sunday of August. The Show Guide Map serves as both marketing prior to the event and the show program the day of the event with the show layout and vendors listed with their booth numbers.
ARTIST AD SPACE AVAILABLE ON THE SHOW GUIDE
Exhibitors have the opportunity to place ads on the Show Guide Map. Follow the link below for an example of ad placement and sizing. Please contact Simonne@ShopMaineCraft.com if you would like to be connected with the staff at the West End News for additional front and or back-page ad placement and pricing.
SPACE/COSTS AVAILABLE – Please see pages two and three of the template below.
– 4 Top Horizontal Banner Ads | 4.83″ wide x 2.36″ tall | $150.00
– 4 Verticle Ads | 2.36″ wide x 4.62″ tall| $125.00
– 4 Bottom Horiztona Bannerl Ads | 4.8″ wide x 2.3″ tall | $150.00
All ad design, copy, and payment are due to the West End News by June 30.
WATER BOTTLE
We will provide roving and stationary water carts to refill water bottles. Please help eliminate the use of throwaway plastic bottles by bringing a container for drinking water.
THERMOS FOR COFFEE/TEA
Please help eliminate the use of coffee cups by bringing a thermos.
TENT + TENT WEIGHTS REQUIRED
Each exhibitor must bring a 10 x 10 ft EZ-up style or equivalent tent plus tent weights. Weights must be attached to each tent leg, 40lbs each leg recommended (please see show rules and policies, this is a requirement!)
FOR 2023- Advanced day load in is still being determined. The show director will reach out closer to the show date with more up-to-date information and details.
Advanced day load in:
To assist with load-in we are offering an additional advanced day load-in time, the night prior, Friday, August 25th from 6:00 – 8:30 PM. The lot will be monitored by security staff throughout the night. PLEASE NOTE: if you do choose to take advantage of the advanced day load-in time slot, this is for displays and tents only! Do not leave your work unattended in your booth during the night.
Exhibitors are highly encouraged to use the advanced load-in time and use handcarts to access their booth space for the continued setup day of the event.
LOAD IN SIGN UP FORM- Coming soon!
Exhibitors must fill out and reply to the 2023 Exhibitor Load In Sign Up Form to let us know who to expect during the advanced day load in and day of the show load-in.
After the 2023 Exhibitor Load In Sign Up Form is completed by all exhibitors, we will update the load-in plan on this page. Please fill out the form in its entirety.
LOAD-IN:
Friday, August 25th 2023: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
and/or
Saturday, August 26th 2023: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
All vehicles must be removed from the show zone by 9:15 a.m.
The show starts at 10:00 a.m. and is open to the public till 5:00 p.m.
LOAD-OUT:
Saturday, August 26th, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
All exhibitors must adhere to a 30-minute pack-in-place period up until 5:30 pm. No vehicles will be allowed to enter the lot during this time.
EXHIBITOR PARKING
SMC is not able to provide parking for exhibitor vehicles and trailers. Please use the following lots and garages that are closest to the Free Street Parking Lot.
Midtown Lot: 44 Free St.
Spring Street Garage: 45 Spring St.
Gateway Garage: 181 High St.
One City Center Garage: 1 City Center
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE SHOW ZONE:
SHOW ZONE TRAFFIC FLOW:
NEW DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS DUE TO FREE STREET CONSTRUCTION PROJECT:
As there is a construction project at the entrance of Free St. you will be unable to use this road to reach the show zone.
To access the show zone, please take Congress St. coming from either direction and take Oak St to turn right onto Free St. This will take you in front of the show zone where you will be able to enter the lot. A staff member or volunteer will be there to direct you prior to entering the lot, please check in with show staff.
Have a wonderful show!