“Two nights before our first market, I was in a panic because I didn’t have a single vendor who said they’d be there,” recalled Connie Clifford.
It was November 2023, and the city of Ocean Shores, Washington was deeply divided. A once close-knit coastal community was split over a recent election spree in the town. The friendly atmosphere that once filled the air seemed lost to the chilly ocean breeze.
Shortly after the election, the new mayor knew something needed to change. His first call? Connie Clifford — who admits she was not his biggest fan back then. He asked her to be part of a small team and tasked them with reuniting their community.
They called themselves the Ocean Shores Community Engagement Committee and found common ground over their shared goal: bringing Ocean Shores together.
Finding herself face-to-face with four strangers she would’ve called more foes than friends at the time, Connie pitched the idea of starting a vendor market. “It had been tried a few times in the past, but failed miserably,” said Connie.
Despite the bleak history, the team unanimously agreed to give it a try.
Building a Vendor Market from Scratch
Creating a successful city market is no small feat, especially in a town with only 7,000 residents and limited entry points. Ocean Shores has one way in and one way out. Yet it’s a popular spot for tourists from spring through fall, so the team knew that with a bit of planning and determination, they’d have a good shot at success.
With no experience running events, Connie and her team had to learn everything about how to start a vendor market from scratch. Two nights before the market’s debut, not a single vendor had confirmed attendance. Panic set in.
“I remember being so scared that we had failed before we had a chance to start. I called one of my teammates, and I think just about every truck driver swear word came out of my mouth that I could think of,” Connie laughed. But just in time, emails started rolling in — the vendors were coming.
Since that first event, the Ocean Shores City Market hosted 12 shows in the summer of 2024. Some were busier with vendors and attendees than others, but the Ocean Shores team saw each one as a learning opportunity.
Lessons Learned in Event Vendor Management
“With each market, people were asking me questions and I had no idea what the heck they were talking about,” she said. “They were asking because I didn’t already provide them with this information. I hadn’t done my homework because I didn’t know what homework to do.”
The biggest question vendors repeatedly asked was, “Why do I need vendor insurance?” Connie initially borrowed a list of vendor requirements from the neighboring convention center, one of those being ACT’s vendor insurance.
Feeling unprepared, Connie reached out to a local well-known vendor in the area and asked for her advice. “She told me why I needed to require insurance, and how most reputable shows will say you have to get insurance,” she said.
“So, I gave it some thought and put some examples up on our website. Like let’s say somebody comes into your booth, trips on your table, falls, and breaks their leg. Or someone else slips at your booth, they fall onto somebody else’s child who’s playing on the ground, and they hurt that kid, breaking his arm. Who’s going to be responsible for all that?
Well, you know what? That made people understand!”
Connie’s creative use of claim examples helped her connect with vendors and open up conversations between them. Not only did friendships form, but a rare relationship between the city market’s vendors and event owners developed.
Key Lessons and Takeaways
- Vendor Insurance: Many vendors didn’t understand why they needed insurance. Connie sought advice from an experienced vendor, who explained the necessity of coverage in case of accidents or injuries. With that knowledge, Connie educated others, ultimately making insurance a non-issue.
- Weather Woes: Being a coastal town, Ocean Shores faces high winds and unpredictable weather. Tents nearly flew away at one point, prompting organizers to implement stricter setup requirements.
- Market Visibility: Effective promotion was crucial. Connie and the market team tapped into vendor Facebook groups, visited other events to recruit sellers, and leveraged local word-of-mouth.
Taking a Vendor-Friendly Approach
One of the market’s defining features is how the presence of the event organizer makes a difference. Many street markets simply assign booths and disappear. But Connie and her team? They’re there every Saturday, assisting with setup, watching booths when vendors need breaks, and ensuring smooth operations.
“If they need help putting their tent up, we help them. If they need help breaking down, we help them. If they want to take a break, we’ll sit in their booth,” she said.
Some of the vendors have special requirements, like keeping their work out of the sun, for example. Connie works one-on-one with them to ensure their needs are met.
“I have one vendor who was just raging after attending another event. She sells resin pieces and the organizer put her in a spot directly below the bright sun.
She told them, “You can’t do this, I’ve got to be someplace the sun’s not hitting me,” and they told her, “That’s your booth, take it or leave it”… so she left. She knew she was walking out on her booth fee and missing out on potential sales, but she left anyway.”
Vendors noticed this extra level of care and communication from the Ocean Shores City Market team — and it keeps them coming back.
How the Ocean Shores City Market Stands Out
- Vendor Support: Organizers ensure vendors have what they need, from setup help to fair booth placements
- A Welcoming Environment: To attract customers, the market offers free popcorn, picnic tables, and dog-friendly accommodations
- Diverse Booths: Offerings include fresh produce, handmade crafts, baked goods, and even driftwood art
Connie has even made it easy for vendors to get insurance. She set up a simple link that vendors can click on to get their policy from ACT, instantly fulfilling insurance requirements and becoming event-ready in minutes.
Are you starting or running a local neighborhood or city vendor event like Connie? Setting up an event vendor portal is fast and free. From there, you can offer insurance to vendors, automatically list your event as an additional insured, and manage certificates — all from one place! Reach out and we’ll help you get started today.
Going From Four Vendors to Full Capacity
The first season saw some Saturdays with only four vendors, while others had nearly 15. But the community embraced the market, and word spread quickly. One vendor even regretted attending another event instead, realizing Ocean Shores City Market was the better opportunity.
“I had a vendor who took a break from our market to try a few others,” Connie said. “She came back frustrated, telling us that some event managers don’t even show up. They plan the event, let the vendors arrive, and then there’s no one there to coordinate or help. Now, those vendors are online warning others not to waste their time on other events run by the same people.”
Fortunately, Ocean Shores City Market has earned a much different reputation. Vendors consistently praise its organization and support, and their enthusiasm is drawing even more sellers to the growing market.
Connie is eager to channel this momentum into an even bigger second season. Ocean Shores City Market is set to host 17 shows in Summer 2025, and vendors are so confident in its success that many are paying upfront for the full season just to secure their spot.
Looking Ahead: Goals for Future Markets
- Triple Vendor Numbers: They want to hit 20 vendors per Saturday
- Expand Product Offerings: They hope to add butchers, more bakers, and additional produce sellers
- Introduce a Beer Garden: A local tavern is interested in hosting monthly beer garden events
- Secure a Permanent Location: The city has embraced the market’s success and is working on finding it a permanent home
How to Start Your Own Vendor Event
For anyone inspired to launch their own local vendor market event, Connie offers the following advice:
- Do Your Homework: Research vendor requirements, permits, vendor booth insurance, and logistics before starting — and be sure to have the resources and answers readily available for vendors
- Be Present: Vendors appreciate an organizer who’s there to support them, so show up and engage with them
- Advertise Effectively: Utilize Facebook groups, visit other markets, and leverage community connections to increase the number of attendees (and vendor sign-ups)
- Create an Inviting Atmosphere: Small touches, like seating areas and dog-friendly spaces, make a difference
- Adapt and Grow: Be open to feedback, look for new opportunities to expand within your community, and be willing to adjust your plans for long-term success
The Market That Transformed a Town
What started as an effort to mend a divided town has grown into something far greater. It’s almost hard to believe that such a thriving event emerged from a history of failed market attempts and a town once caught in the tension of election turmoil.
“We’ve seen people who wouldn’t even speak to each other start talking again,” Connie shared. “That was the whole purpose of this, bringing our community back together.”
With their mission accomplished, Ocean Shores City Market is no longer just an event; it’s becoming a beloved tradition, woven into the heart of this small but vibrant coastal town.
