fall welcome packet 2010

Transcription

To all of our Merchants...
There have been a lot of changes to some VERY important
information in this years packet.
Please be sure to read through the packet so that you are
aware of the changes in policies, fees and set-up
instructions for this years fall 2010 show as well as some
helpful information on how to boost your business.
In this packet you will find:
• Merchant Parking Passes *New*
• Advertisement Suggestions *New*
• Faire Ground Policies and Fees *Updated*
• Camping Information *Updated*
• Information on the new HUHYHU Initiative *New*
• Fall show synopsis along with pictures of our actors and
actresses *New*
• Set-up Instructions and times *Completely Changed*
• Important dates and events *Updated*
• Merchant Meeting Information *Updated*
• How to make your EZ-Up more medieval *New*
Thank you,
Brian Harvard
General Manager, CTRF
Chelsea Colletti
Assistant to the General Manager, CTRF
THE CONNECTICUT
RENAISSANCE FAIRE
King Arthur’s Fall Harvest Faire
September 2010
Welcome to King
Arthur’s Fall Harvest
Faire 2010 Season!
WHAT’S NEW IN THIS EDITION
www.ctfaire.com/fall/
We hope you
are all as
excited to be
here as we are
to have you!
PHOTO BREAK DOWN OF THE CAST
AND PLOT SYNOPSIS!
So that you know who is who when you see them
touring the streets of a small village in the reign
of King Arthur!
Continued on Page 12-13
THE NEW HUHYHU INITIATIVE!
A new way to advertise that YOU will be at King
Arthur’s Fall Harvest Faire!
Continued on Page 8
Last years cast, did you know who was who and how you were to treat them when you saw
them? Well this year you will if you check out page 13!
PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF
YOUR MANAGERS!
So that if you are having a problem you know
who to contact or pull aside when you see us
touring the streets of a small village in the reign
of King Arthur!
Continued on Page 3
MEDIEVAL MERCHANTING 101!
Helpful tips to help Merchants, new and
seasoned, to bring more customers into their
booths and make their experiences something
memorable!
Our Actors, Merchants, and Shows are what
makes our small village come alive for our
patrons, are you playing your part in the
masquerade?
Continued on Page 7
347 Gilead Street, Hebron, CT | Brian: 860.478.5954 Chelsea: 203.464.2639 | www.ctfaire.com/fall/
THE CONNECTICUT RENAISSANCE FAIRE
A Personal Welcome From Your
Management Staff
Welcome to The Connecticut Renaissance Faire! You are now a part of one of the
largest Renaissance Faires in New England. In fact, The Connecticut Renaissance
Faire is now THE largest Renaissance themed market place in New England and
we couldn’t have done it without YOU.
The purpose of this welcome packet is to give you an overview of some of the
opportunities available to you, some helpful information, and an explanation of
some of the rules we expect to be upheld during your stay.
We understand that navigating the faire, especially as a first time merchant, can
be quite the adventure. The following pages will walk you through our
procedures and hopefully answer many of your questions, whether you are a first
time merchant or one of our veterans.
Welcome aboard! Here is to a fantastic season, and again thank you for making
us the largest Renaissance market place in New England!
Sincerely,
Brian Harvard
General Manager
Chelsea Colletti
Assistant to the General Manager
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3
page
YOUR HOSTS AND HOSTESSES WITH THE
MOSTESSESS FOR THE FALL 2010 SEASON
Brian Harvard
General Manager
Contact: 860.478.5954
Email: [email protected]
Contact for: General inquiries.
Chelsea Colletti
Asst. to the General Manager
Contact: 203.464.2639
Contact for: General Inquiries
Eric Tetreault
Contact for: advertisement
information,
advice on how to push
Marketing Manager and Photographer
your business, pictures,
Contact: 860.329.3356
advertisement ideas to improve the
faire for the next season.
Chuck Thoits
Camping Manager
Contact: 603.738.0247
Contact for: camping registration,
camping assignments, camping
concerns/compliments.
James Tewksbury
Tracy Hatcher
Site Manager
Volunteer Manager
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What To Do When You Arrive
SET-UP GUIDELINES
PARKING PASSES: You will
receive in this packet 8 parking
passes. Please fill out the requested
information on your parking pass
and place it clearly in a window of
your vehicle.
All vehicles (and
trailers) on site MUST have a parking
pass visible in their window or your
vehicle will be towed. You should
share these passes with temporary
employees and place them in your
extra vehicles.
ARRIVAL TIME: You may arrive
on site to set up your booth on
Sunday, September 19th, 2010,
between 9:00AM and 5:00PM or on
Friday, September 24th between
7:00AM and 9:00PM. All other setup times during the week of
September 20th-September 23rd will
be BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please
make these appointments by e-mail
with either Brian Harvard or Chelsea
Colletti (email addresses located on
page 3)
LOCATING YOUR SPACE: Please
locate either Brian Harvard, Chelsea
Colletti, or, in the event neither are
available, Jim Tewksbury can assist
you in locating your booth space.
ELECTRICITY: Electricity for your
booth is a $50 per outlet fee (for
merchants who will be needing
e l e c t r i c i t y O N LY d u r i ng t h e
Halloween Knight events, the charge
will be $10 per outlet). Checks and
cash are accepted. Checks may be
made payable to: The Connecticut
Renaissance Faire. Checks can be
given to Brian Harvard, or Chelsea
Colletti. Due to electricity and hookup limitations, if you did not indicate
your need for electricity in your
merchant packet,
accessibility may be
limited. YOU must
provide your own
proper gauge extension
cord, space between
yo u r b o o t h a n d a n
electricity outlet can be
up to or exceed 25 feet
so be prepared.
TENT ROPES: It is
permissible for your tent ropes to
cross those of another merchant and
extend out beyond your designated
booth area if necessary. Use common
sense. If it appears it will cause a
hazard, don’t do it, or flag the ropes
with something to make them more
visible.
To help improve the environment
for your booths and for the patrons,
we are asking merchants to connect
a piece of fabric (i.e. tent walls) from
the back corner of their tent to the
back corner of their neighboring
tents. This will
make it so that
patrons will not trip on your tent
ropes and,
A non-negotiable
rule you should
know before you
arrive:
ALL CARS MUST
BE OFF-SITE BY
9:00AM ON
FAIRE DAYS
(8:00AM ON
SCHOOL DAY). If
you do not
comply you will
be fined!
Continued on Page 5
Welcome to King Arthur’s Fall Harvest Festival
if everyone participates, this will
allow storage space for back-up
stock behind the tents. In order for
mer chants to use this space
productively, there must be NO
WAY that a patron can see inside.
PRIOR TO OPENING GATE RULES
ALL VEHICLES MUST BE OFFSITE BY 9:00AM ON FAIRE DAYS.
NO EXCEPTIONS To avoid undue
stress in the morning, arrive early
and give yourself ample time to
unpack your vehicle(s). To insure
your vehicle is off site by the
required time, unpack first move
your vehicle, THEN start setting up.
Merchant parking is only
allowable in the merchant parking
lot. Please enter the faire grounds
through Gate B, and follow the
signs. (EXCEPTION: Food vendors
located in Food Court 1. Limit 1
vehicle in Food Row per vendor).
All vendors must be wearing
theme suitable costumes. If you are
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The Hitting and Stabbing Emporium
visible to the public, you must have
a costume. If you are not wearing
appropriate costuming, you will be
asked to purchase one from one of
our vendors. If you refuse, you will
be asked to leave.
Your tent MUST be open by
10:00AM (9:00AM on School Day).
Faire hours are from 10:00AM
to 6:00PM. There is absolutely NO
SMOKING during faire hours
except in designated smoking
sections.
NO PETS during faire hours. We
love animals, and so for their safety
and the safety of others, there are
no pets allowed on site between
10:00AM and 6:00PM.. *service
animals are always welcome*.
Leashed pets may be kept at your
campsite. Unattended animals
without food, water, and access to
shelter are unacceptable to CTRF
Management.
Opening Weekend is the
CRUSADE AGAINST
HUNGER.
October 2-3rd is
FANTASY &
ROMANCE WEEKEND
There will be VOW
RENEWALS on October
2nd, and a BABES IN
BODICES competition
on October 3rd.
October 9-11th is
INVASION WEEKEND
October 9th is DEAF
AWARENESS DAY,
MIGHT VS. METTLE
will be on both October
9th-10th, and there will
be a MEN IN KILTS
competition on October
11th.
October 16th and 23rd
HALLOWEEN
KNIGHT and WE GET
MEDIEVAL ON
HALLOWEEN
October 23-24th is
FINALE WEEKEND:
there will be a ZOMBIE
WALK on October 23rd
and PET DAY is October
24th.
Continued on Page 6
Appropriate authorities will be
notified should the situation
warrant.
After opening, no vehicles
are allowed on site until gate
security allows you access onto
the faire ground. We do not
want anyone driving on site
when patrons are present, for
this reason, Gate Security’s
word is LAW.
All merchants and their staff
must be in garb during faire
hours.
The Connecticut
Renaissance Faire represents a
unified creative vision between
producers, vendor coordinators
and creative staff. As such, CTRF
reserves the right to protect its
image, both publicly, and
privately. Any organized
disobedience to faire policies,
organizational, or creative, will
be considered a violation of the
above vendor contract and will
subject the violator in expulsion
of the violator with no
remittance of fees.
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Security personnel wear bright
yellow CTRF shirts with
“SECURITY” written in bold
black lettering on the back.
GENERAL INFORMATION/
PROCEDURES:
Site Location: 347 Gilead St.,
Hebron, CT 06248
Missing Children: Lost parents/
children should be turned in at
the Faire Memories Booth.
Lost and Found: Lost and Found
items should be handed in at
the Faire Memories Booth.
ATM: ATMs can be located
throughout the faire site.
Shoplifting: Please report any
suspected shoplifting to security.
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Medieval Merchanting 101
TIPS THAT CAN HELP EVEN THE BEST GET BETTER!
• Our patrons attend the faire to be IMMERSED in the behind-the-scenes information only. Join by going to
fantastical. This is not just the responsibility of the http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ctfaire/ today.
actors but also of our merchants. The more of an
• The nicer your space looks the more people will want
FANTASY EXPERIENCE you give them the more they
to see what’s inside. Again, these people are coming to
will be inclined to buy from you. Reach into you
us for an experience, if you have a modern tent/
inner performer and pull out that medieval
gazebo with modern displays, it looks more like a
merchant behavior, accent, and speech. Be friendly,
yard sale than a medieval merchant. No mater how
greet them, ENGAGE them without using highgreat your product is, if people think yard sale when
pressured sales tactics. Remember: more than any
they see your tent, they think used, and that’s not
show they see, or item they buy, it is the one-on-one
what they want to buy. For tips on how to make your
interaction that the patrons remember and
EZ-Up look more medieval please refer to the
recommend to other potential faire goers.
following website: http://members.cox.net/
• Sales for merchants at the faire is not like retail randwhit/popup/ .
store sales. Most of these customers are not coming
• ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE!! Though CTRF
to you for something they need, they’re coming in
does A LOT of marketing for the faire and its
because they think something is cool and/or out of
merchants, we still don’t reach all of YOUR return
curiosity. It is up to YOU to apply some practical
customers that you have gained over the many years
use and explanation to make them feel comfortable
and many faires you have been a merchant at. The
spending the money on something they don’t need.
more our merchants, and actors advertise where they
OR to just talk up your product so much that their
will be and when, the more people will be at the faire
want outweighs their need.
and as we all know, the more people at faire, the more
Play
into
the
story
line.
The
more
our
patrons
feel
as
•
people come into YOUR booths. For examples on how
if they are in a small village in the reign of King you can become a more active advertiser contact our
Arthur, the more the faire mindset will be secured Marketing Director, Eric Tetreault (contact details on
and they will want to remember their experience. page 3) and/or see the attached suggestion sheet.
Pictures are a good reminder but memories of
• CTRF will be holding an extra event twice this season
personal interaction are a better one. Remember, during the hours of the Halloween Knight events
word of mouth is the BEST form of advertisement, called: We Get Medieval on Halloween
where
the better experience they had there, the more
children walk around to PARTICIPATING merchants
they’ll tell people about it and to go visit your booth. to Trick-or-Treat safely. Participating in this event will
• Join the Fair Participant Yahoo Group. This group is
for all actors, entertainers, merchants, and
volunteers of the Connecticut Renaissance Faire. We
use this group to communicate information about
the Faire, announce contests, parties, and general
bring more people to your booth and gets you a more
personal interaction with your customers. Don’t just
hand them the candy, TALK to them, have your
“coolest” stuff out front to catch their attention. Use
this opportunity to your advantage to market YOUR
product.
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The HUHYHU Initiative
....WAIT...WHAT??
CTRF is launching a new program designed to help merchants help us to help them. The
HUHYHU Initiative is a way for you, the merchant, to help spotlight your business in
many different ways. This will not only help YOU (helping to get your name out even
more to our patrons) but will also enable us to bump up our advertising dollars which
will help get more patrons into the faire (helping us) and will, in turn, get more people
into your booth. Level One: $25
YOUR BOOTH gets an ad in a coupon book.
Level Two: $50
YOUR BOOTH gets listed as a CTRF Preferred Vendor on the rotating photo area of the
main page and your business will be listed on a 4x8 ad board just outside the main entrance to
the faire.
Level Three $75 (limit 10 only!)
YOUR BOOTH placed on the CTRF Map (your actual location) along with
your name in the side bar listed as a Preferred CTRF vendor.
Level Four $100 (limit 8 only!)
A 1/8 page FSI (Free Standing Insert) advertisement for YOUR BOOTH put into 25,000
newspapers in the region of the faire.
Each of the options above are great, affordable ways to help your business get more
customers. Please choose the one that best fits your budget and contact our Marketing
Manager, Eric Tetreault, (contact information on page 3) to get the ball rolling TODAY! 347 Gilead Street, Hebron, CT | Brian: 860.478.5954 Chelsea: 203.464.2639 | www.ctfaire.com/fall/
IMPORTANT DATES:
Faire Dates for the 2010 Season:
September 25 & 26
October 2,3,4, 9,10,11,16,17, 23, 24
* October 2nd is the Paragon
Sponsored Rave at the Barn.
* October 4th is School Day.
Merchants are expected to be open
from 9:00AM to 2:00PM. School Day
is now open to the public in order to
generate more business for our
merchants.
* October 9th is the Faire Participant
Party (potluck*) from
7:00-10:00PM. The theme of the
party will be a Pajama Party
(Tasteful please!) and will be held
in an off site location which is to be
announced at a later time.
* Bringing a dish is welcome but
not required. If you do opt to
bring a dish, please bring it in a
disposable container if possible.
Any unclaimed dishware at the
end of the night will be
discarded.
* October 11th is Columbus Day.
Merchants are expected to be open
this day.
* October 16th is the Halloween
Pumpkin Carving Contest! Put out
your best "Jack-o-lantern" carved by
you or one of your employees to
enter to win $25, $50, or even $75
off your 2011 Fall vending fee! All
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you gotta do is display your
pumpkin in front of your booth and
CTRF management will come
around and pick the top
10. Then, we'll have a
contest on stage where
your pumpkin will be
judged by our
audience for Best
Pumpkin in The Shire!
Pumpkins must be on
display by 10am on
that day to be
October 16th and 23rd!
considered for the
contest.
* October 16 & 23 are the Halloween
Knight Events. Faire hours are
extended for these two evenings to
8:30PM. ALL merchants are
expected to be open until that hour.
Also on these dates are the We Get
Medieval on Halloween! events
where children in costume will
trick or treat at participating
merchants. Inquire for details.
Merchant
Meetings are
MANDATORY
every Saturday
during the run of
faire at
approximately
6:30PM on the
King’s Stage.
Merchant meetings
for the last 2
weekends
(October16th and
23rd) will be held at
9:15AM due to late
operating hours and
will not last more
than 15 minutes.
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Like Us So Much You Want To Stay?
Your Camping Manager, Chuck Thoits.
CAMPING REGISTRATION
Pre-registration
is
MANDATORY. Please email the
Camping Manager, Chuck Thoits,
(contact details on page 3) with the
size of your tent, the number of
people in your party, and how
many days you will be camping.
DO NOT mail payment.
Payment will be collected by Chuck
when you arrive.
Camping sites will be
ASSIGNED. You will receive details
from the Camping Manager when
you register.
There is a $25.00 clean-up
deposit REQUIRED at check-in. At
the end of the run, if your campsite
is clean (no trash, cigarette butts,
etc.), the check will be destroyed.
There are also two designated
social (community) areas that have
been used previously for cook outs
and pot lucks. These areas must be
registered and responsibility taken
for their condition by at least one
camper (or shared over the course
of the run). You may sign up to
take responsibility for a social area
for just one weekend or the entire
run at your discretion. A deposit of
$25.00 is REQUIRED. In the event
you sign up for a weekend, Sunday
evening the claimed social area will
be inspected. Assuming it has been
cleaned, the check will be destroyed
that weekend. If it fails inspection
(food, trash, cups, cigarette butts
are found) the check will be cashed.
In the event you sign up for the
run, the process is the same,
however, inspection will come the
week of break-down. Please inquire
with Chuck for details.
RVs/Campers will be assigned a
location upon arrival.
The Do Not Forget
at Home List!
Costumes (Extra for
your minions if they
do not own any)
Pajamas (for the
Faire Participant
Party)
Pillow
Air Pump
Bug Spray
Sun Block
Cloak/Halfmoon
Hand Warmers
Extra socks
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Towels
Modern Clothing
Coolers
Soap (we beg you)
Deodorant
Continued on page 9
Tenting spots will be the same
as last year, however, your site will
be assigned by number, and there
will be no tents allowed in food
row.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Quiet hours begin at 11:00PM.
Absolutely no cars in Food Row.
Violators will be towed at their own
expense.
No cars are permitted to be
parked in the camping area. After
you unload your gear, you must
move your car to the parking area.
Violators will be towed at their own
expense.
Please report any problems or
disturbances to the Camping
Manager (Chuck Thoits).
Any disturbances/disputes/
fighting will result in EXPULSION
o f t h e o f fe n d i ng p a r t y a n d
PERMANENT BANNING from The
Connecticut Renaissance Faire.
ZERO TOLERANCE.
There is no dumping available
for RVs/Campers. However, various
companies will come for a fee and
take care of that service. Kelley’s
Septic Tank Service, LLC services
the Hebron area. See next column
for contact information.
All fires must be monitored,
contained, and off the ground (ex.
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Chiminea or fire bowl). Please keep
a fire extinguisher
nearby.
CAMPING RATES
Tents: $90 for
weekends only.
RV s / C a m p e r s :
$180 for weekenders
and $300 for people
who are staying for
the run.
N o t e : R a t e s i n cl u d e l i m i t e d
electricity usage, camping site, and
the usage of the bathroom/
showers.
USEFUL CONTACT INFORMATION:
Local Fire Marshall- Randy Blias.
860.228.3022
Health Inspector- Steve Knauf.
860.228.5971
Kelley’s Septic Tank Service, LLC.
860.456.8655 or 860.643.2863
Plug-in
heaters will
NOT be
allowed!
However,
Electric
blankets will
be permitted.
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The Story-line You’ve All Been Waiting For...
“This year features no invaders, no barbarians, no vikings, no irish...instead, the conflict comes from
within! Two rival factions, the noble family of Lord Mayor Hector Bunting, and the evil dynasty of
Baron Mercurious, compete for the mayorship of the village of Caer Lion while King Arthur and
Queen Guineveres marriage falls apart over the question of which way to rule: with the heart, or with
the head? Now, with battle lines drawn on either side, the question arises: who is to rule the land?”
This years story-line features a choose your own ending solution in which the audience will
decide the actual outcome of the days story-line. Two alternate endings are being created. In
addition, this story-line will be the first EVER musical featuring nine new songs by favorite
musical director, Denise Cannella, with book and lyrics by Paul Stickney. SONGS, DANCES,
FIGHTS, AND A CHOOSE YOUR OWN ENDING IN A STORY WE CALL:
VOTE OR DIE!
By Paul Stickney and Denise Cannella
Things you should know:
* Baron Mercurious has a charter signed by King Arthur and is supported by the King.
* Lord Mayor Bunting was hand picked for the job by Guinevere and is supported by the
Queen
Who
will be
the
village
mayor?
* The Baron’s son, Edward, is in love with the Mayor’s daughter, Estella.
* The village council consists of the blacksmith, the gravedigger, the weaver, and the nun/
scribe.
* Arthur’s knights are not at the festival this year as they have been sent off to find other
knights in other countries to form Arthur’s new round table. Only Sir Tristen is present as
body guard to the King and Queen.
* The election is a brand new idea which Merlin has brought from the future. It is the first
election in the history of Britian.
YOU
decide!
* Madam Mim, a hag in the Baron’s entourage, is a long standing rival to Merlin.
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Presenting Our Actors!
THE ONES WHO MAKE US ALL BELIEVE WE’RE IN THE
REIGN OF KING ARTHUR HIMSELF!
Matt Jones as Lord Mayor Hector Jasmine Ready as Queen Guinevere and
Bunting and will be referred to as: Rich Rininsland as King Arthur and both
“Your Honor” or “His Honor”. will be referred to as: “Your Majesty” or
“His/Her Majesty”.
Amanda Sullivan as
Hannah Bunting,
Mayor Bunting’s
Wife.
Jenn Rykowski as
Estella Bunting,
Mayor Bunting’s
Daughter.
CJ Landram as
Merlin, the Famous
Wizard and is to be
referred to as:
“Master Merlin”.
Johnbarry Green as Baron
Mercurious and will be referred to
as: “Your Grace”, “His Grace” or
“Baron”.
Dave Morrow as
Edward Mercurious,
the Baron’s Son.
Carl Cannella as
Wormley, the Baron’s
Assistant.
Jennifer Marco as
Madam Mim the
Baron’s Hag. Not a
witch but a low-down
potion maker.
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The Locals LOVE Us!!!
RESTAURANTS
Subway- 43 Main St., Hebron, CT. 860.228.3778. 5 minutes.
China Star Gourmet Inc.- 57 Main St., Hebron, CT.
860.228.4578. 5 minutes.
Gina Marie’s Family Restaurant- 71 Main St., Hebron, CT.
860.228.9375. 5 minutes.
Dunkin’ Donuts- 109 Main St., Hebron, CT. 860.228.8293. 5
minutes.
GROCERY
Ted’s Food Center- 127 Main St., Hebron, CT. 860.228.4311.
5 minutes.
Pat’s Market- 3 E. Hampton Rd., #5 Marlborough, CT. 860.295.8753. 10-15
minutes.
BJs Wholesale Club-1589 Main St., Willimantic, CT. 860.423.2796. 20 minutes.
Shaw’s- 60 Cantor Dr., Willimantic, CT. 860.423.6348. 20 minutes.
Wal-Mart Supercenter- 474 Boston Post Rd., North Windham, CT.
860.456.4399. 20 minutes.
HARDWARE
Hebron Ace Hardware- 81 Main St., Hebron, CT. 860.228.3408. 5 minutes.
Home Depot- 418 Boston Post Rd., North Windham, CT. 860.465.5631. 20
minutes.
Wal-Mart Supercenter- 474 Boston Post Rd., North Windham, CT.
860.456.4399. 20 minutes.
HOSPITAL/Rx
Windham Hospital- 112 Mansfield Ave., Willimantic, CT. 860.456.6770. 20
minutes.
Shaw’s (OSCO)- 60 Cantor Dr., Willimantic, CT. 860.423.6348. 20 minutes.
Walgreens- 1475 Main St., Willimantic, CT. 860.423.4273. 20 minutes.
If you know of
or find any
new places,
please pass on
the knowledge
and we can
add them to
next years
edition!
Wal-Mart (Pharmacy)- 474 Boston Post Rd., N. Windham, CT. 860.456.4399. 20
minutes.
Hebron Pharmacy Inc.- 117 West Main St., Hebron, CT. 860.228.3888. 5
minutes.
HELP US INCREASE YOUR PROFITS
Over the years we have noted many merchants rely solely on the attendance numbers
brought in by faires as their means of selling products. Many of these same merchants are
unaware how much more they could be selling simply by working closely with us
throughout the year.
Our mutual success is determined by the number of patrons who attend the show. The more
patrons the faire gets the better the faire does. The more patrons at the faire the more money
you can make in sales. So what can you do to help bring more patrons to CTRF thereby
increasing your bottom line? There are numerous ways you can help and most won’t cost
you a single cent. Here are several of them:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Blog Us [FREE]: If you maintain an online blog or journal tell people about us.
The same holds true if there are certain message boards you frequent. The more !
places people can learn about us the better our gate will be.
Calendar Listing [FREE]: Look at your local newspaper and see if they provide free calendar listings. If so, print
the calendar listing we have on our website (make sure it is for the right year) and submit it to them. If you are
internet savvy you could also list us on internet-based calendar sites, as well.
Info Cards [FREE]: If you run your business at other Renaissance Faires or Craft Shows prior to CTRF we highly
encourage you to distribute info cards there. Many times patrons will scope out your booth to determine what
they want to purchase later on. By presenting them with our card you give them an opportunity to return to
your shop later in the year to get what they want.
Discount Cross-Promotion Cards [Varies]: Want to get the word out about YOUR business and promote CTRF at
the same time? If you are willing to purchase the cards (approximately $159 per 5000) we are happy to design
them for you and send them directly to an address of your choosing. We are also willing to hand these cards
out for you during the numerous parades and special events we do all year. This will bring a lot of attention
your way especially if you have a website.
Email [FREE]: If you maintain a customer emailing list (or just have a lot of friends) send them an email. Let your
friends or customers know you’re going to be at CTRF and invite them to stop in and say hello. That is a subtle
way of saying come buy that product you wanted to get.
Free Listings [FREE]: It is possible you will find places on the internet, your local newspaper, or other places
where you can list information about CTRF. Please feel free to list us and let us know where!
Inform the Media [FREE]: Maybe you have a friend who has a friend that is a reporter or you know a reporter
yourself. Mention us to them as an excellent human interest story with numerous photo opportunities. There
are also many ways to submit story ideas to local media outlets online. Don’t hesitate to plug us.
Newspaper Ad [VARIES]: Consider taking out an advertisement in your local paper that mentions your booth at
CTRF, what you sell, and perhaps offer a coupon. This is an excellent way to drive traffic from the general
public into our faire and right to your booth. If you are willing to run the ad, we are happy to develop the ad for
you at no cost.
Posters [FREE]: Starting in early-to-mid August we start putting up 8.5x11 full-color posters around the tri-state
area. We can always use help getting these posters into high-traffic areas like grocery stores, movie theatres,
video places, restaurants, shops in the mall, and anywhere else that gets a lot of indoor traffic.
Referral [FREE]: Give a positive recommendation about us to fellow merchants, friends, or patrons at other
shows. Not only will your optimistic feedback help convince them to swing by your booth at CTRF it will get
them to bring friends along too.
Website Link [FREE]: If you have a website be sure to link to us and let your site visitors know you’ll be at CTRF
(and when). Most people prefer instant gratification so if they were on the fence about buying something from
you online they are more likely to visit you at our show.
Website Write-up: [FREE] If you have a website, talk us up there. Let people know that we are a “must see”
show and point out why they have to stop in.
As you can see, out of twelve ways you can contribute to our mutual success nine won’t cost you a penny. And these ideas
could potentially add 50%-100% or even more to your revenue at our show. We want you to be successful. We want to see
your sales increase. And your active participation as part of our marketing strategy will help make our biggest attendance
(and your largest sales) to date.
WHERE TO BEGIN
If you would like to take an active stance in increasing your overall sales please contact Faire Marketing Director Eric
Tetreault at [email protected] or 860.329.3356 ASAP. Our marketing campaign for next year begins as soon as this year’s
production ends. All emails will receive a response acknowledging your participation and communicating to you what steps
will be taken (if any) on our end and yours to make the plan work.
WHAT WE’RE DOING FOR YOU
As we have already said, “We want you to be successful. We want to see your sales increase.” As part of our mutual effort
toward success we implemented the following changes to the www.ctfaire.com website this year on top of our massive
advertising strategy:
• Coupons: We made a coupon interface that allows you to display a printable coupon that is only good at CTRF and
only for our current season. Many shoppers will check out your booth just to see what they can get with the
discount. The big thing in marketing now is to say they used the internet to get a better deal than the other guy. So
make an offer to CTRF patrons that will inspire them to check you out.
• Email Interface: We have made it easier for potential customers to contact you via email directly from our website.
If we have an email address for you on file, an email form will appear on your businesses’ description page. The
goal is to make it easy for patrons to reach you and later buy from you. This interface is equipped with anti-spam
tools so you won’t get junk mail from it. It also includes the senders IP address for tracking purposes. Make sure
your email address and contact information is up to date or you could be losing sales.
• Email List: By keeping your email contact information up-to-date you are part of our merchant emailing list which
allows us to contact all registered merchants for the current season.
• Link: If you have a website we link to it in an effort to drive more traffic your way. As of 2009 we will only be
linking to merchants who have a website that is linking back to us. Be sure to contact Eric once you have a link
established so we can return the favor.
• Media Releases: With your input, we are planning to have our website automatically generate media releases that
you can give your local paper to promote your business at our show.
• Message Board: In 2009 our website, www.ctfaire.com, has a special “Merchants Only” message board. This is an
excellent place to discuss new ideas, discuss better ways to do things, ways tpo make more money at faire, etc.
Participate in your success with everyone else. This is also a great way to strengthen communication between you
and CTRF – no lost emails. To join, simply create a profile on the site and then email [email protected] with your
booth name and a request for access to the merchant boards.
• Teaser & Description: We have made areas for a teaser & description whose goal is to entice patrons to learn more
about you and then hook them to visiting your booth at CTRF. We need your direct feedback as to what your teaser
and description should say. Talk to your friends. See what they feel “sells” your wares with words and then submit
that information to [email protected].
• Thumbnails & Slideshow: We made your listing more visual in an effort to attract the eye of our site visitors. A
thumbnail photo of your wares is posted on the main merchant page and up to 4 images of your wares are displayed
when patrons click to get more information about your business. This allows you to further entice patrons to check
your booth out. If we do not have a thumbnail or images of your wares (portrait layout) a default CTRF logo will be
shown.
OTHER THINGS WE’RE DOING
Here is what we are doing to market your business at our faire on top of the website:
Mandrake’s Mystery: At our front gate we hand out an interactive game where patrons chat with actors,
entertainers, merchants, and volunteers throughout the day to solve a mystery. This is a limited merchant
participation game, but it helps drive additional traffic to your booth every day.
All Hallows Day: On our closing weekend we’re holding “Trick or Treat” at the faire. Costumed visiting children
•
will be able to trick or treat at participating merchants. We look at this event like Mandrake’s Mystery on
major steroids. Every trick or treating child will be accompanied by a parent who is going to have to stop in
your booth and see your wares in order for their kids to get candy. You are encouraged (but not required) to
participate in this event. To participate just have your own wrapped candy and a pumpkin displayed in front
of your booth (this is the sign you are participating in this special event).
THIS IS YOUR SHOW TOO
We are happy to have you as part of The Connecticut Renaissance Faire and as a member of our faire family. We hope you
consider us your “home faire” and strive with us toward mutual success. If you should decide to help us advertise using any
of the free methods above, please let us know what you did so we can write it down. This will allow us to focus on places
that we aren’t shown yet.
•
Keep your eyes open for other ways to get free coverage for CTRF and let us know. While we have covered a lot of
possibilities here your additional input may help us reach an untouched market. And finally, if you really want to see your
sales grow you have to participate in this marketing strategy. Our combined efforts will help us grow exponentially.
Thanks again for giving your Faire family a helping hand that will enable us to all grow.
Yours,
Eric Tetreault – Marketing Coordinator
The Connecticut Renaissance Faire
www.ctfaire.com
860.351.5758
Merchant Parking Pass
King Arthur’s Fall Harvest
Faire 2010
Faire 2010
This pass allows that Merchant number Mto park in the designated parking area for merchants
for the Fall 2010 season from September 25th-October
24th, 2010.
24th, 2010.
Faire 2010
Faire 2010
24th, 2010.
24th, 2010.
Faire 2010
Faire 2010
24th, 2010.
24th, 2010.
Faire 2010
Faire 2010
24th, 2010.
24th, 2010.

fall welcome packet 2010

Transcription

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