reserve online click here

Support Michigan Made products & micro-enterprises.

There are tens of thousands of people in Michigan with physical or mental disabilities.

Many of these people are clients of one of the agencies listed.

These are some of the agencies we have invited or have had clients exhibit at previous events.

Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority

Easter Seals

Community Network Services

Ourhouse Clubhouse

United Cerebral Palsy

Community Choices

JVS Detroit

JVS Southfield

JVS West Bloomfield

MORC

New Center Community Mental Health Detroit

Northbrook Psychological Clinic Novi

Northland Clinic Southfield & Rochester Hills

Northwest Counseling & Psychotherapy Center Southfield

Novi Psychiatry and Psychology

Oakland County Community Mental Health Pontiac

Wayne County Mental Health

Oakland Family Services Berkley, Walled Lake, Pontiac, Rochester

Oakland Psychological Clinic Livonia

Oakland Psychological Clinics Bloomfield Hills, Southfield, Milford

Operation Get Down Detroit

Perspectives Of Troy, Sterling Heights

Psychassets Birmingham

Psychological Institute Michigan Franklin

Psychotherapy & Counseling Services Northville

Quality Behavioral Health Detroit

Redford Counseling Center

Relationship Institute Royal Oak

Rochester Center Behavioral Medicaine

Saint Joseph Mercy Behavioral Brighton

Judson Center Royal Oak

Samaritan Counseling Center Farmington Hills

Senica Farmington Hills

Teen Mental Health Services Detroit, Farmington Hills, Redford

Turning Point Recovery Center Pontiac

University Psychiatric Centers Detroit, Livonia

Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital Westland

Community Mental Health Waterford

Visions Clubhouse Pontiac

Clubhouse Inspiration Lapeer

Crossroads Clubhouse Monroe

Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse

Gathering Place Redford

Inner City Clubhouse Detroit

Motor City Clubhouse Detroit

New Directions Clubhouse Detroit

Next Step Clubhouse Inkster

Phoenix Friendship House Highland Park

Turning Point Lincoln Park

Michigan Department Community Health Lansing

Macomb County Mental Health

Monica House Detroit Community Treatment

Monroe County Community Mental Health -

MSU Counseling Center - East Lansing

MSU Psychological Clinic - East Lansing

National Council on Alcoholism - Detroit

National Council on Alcoholism - Lansing

Neighborhood Service Organization - Detroit

network180 CMH - Grand Rapids

NeuroHealth Associates - Rochester

New Center Community Mental Health- Detroit

New Day Counseling - Troy

New Life Home for Recovering Women - Detroit

New Light Consultants - Flint

New Light Recovery Center - Detroit

New Oakland Child-Adolescent & Family Center -

Clinton Township, Clarkston, Livonia,West Bloomfield, Warren

New Passages Psychological Services - Flint

New Passages Psychological Services - Mount Clemens

North Central Community Mental Health - Detroit

Northeast Guidance Center - Detroit

Northbrook Psychological Clinic - Novi

North Kent Guidance Services - Grand Rapids & Greenville

Northbrook Psychological Clinic - Novi

Northland Clinic - Southfield & Rochester Hills

North Oakland Family Counseling - Clarkston

Northwest Counseling & Psychotherapy Center - Southfield

Novi Psychiatry & Psychology - Novi

Oakdale Recovery Center - Canton

Oakland County Central Diagnostic & Referral -

Pontiac

Oakland County Community Mental Health -

Pontiac

Oakland Family Services - Berkley & Walled Lake

Oakland Family Services - Pontiac & Rochester

Oakland Psychological Clinic - Flint & Grand Blanc

Oakland Psychological Clinic - Livonia

Oakland Psychological Clinics - Bloomfield Hills, Southfield, Milford, Lake Orion

Oaklawn Psychiatric Hospital - Marshall

Oakridge Counseling Center - Battle Creek

Odyessy House - Flint

Odyessy House - Saginaw

Okemos Psychological Consultants - Okemos

Operation Get Down- Detroit

Our Hope Substance Abuse Services - Grand Rapids

Ozone House - Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti

Pathways Michigan- Allegan, Grand Haven & Muskegon

Perspectives of Troy - Troy & Sterling Heights

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services -

Grand Rapids & Kalamazoo

Pioneer Counseling Center - Sterling Heights & Clinton Township

Pioneer Counseling Center - West Bloomfield

Prevention, Education & Referral Services - Brownstown, Clinton Township & Westland

Professional Psychological Services - Lansing

Progressive Guidance Center - Monroe

Project Rehab - Grand Rapids

PsychAssets - Birmingham

Psychiatric Associates of Ingham - Okemos

Psychiatric Associates of West Michigan - Grand Rapids

Psychology Associates - Grand Rapids

Psychological & Behavioral Consultants - Lansing

Psychological Consultants of Michigan - Battle Creek & Kalamazoo

Psychological Institute of Michigan - Franklin

Psychotherapy & Counseling Services - Northville

Quality Behavioral Health - Detroit

Rainbow Recovery Center - Monroe

Reach Youth Center - Flint

Reality Counseling Services - Grand Rapids & Lansing

Redford Counseling Center - Redford

The Relationship Institute - Royal Oak

Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine -

Rochester Hills

Rose Hill Center - Holly

Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center - Memphis & Warren

Sacred Heart Outpatient Services - Flint, Bay City & Saginaw

Safehouse - Kalamazoo

Saginaw Community Mental Health - Saginaw

Saginaw County Youth Protection Agency - Saginaw

Saint Joseph Mercy Behavioral Services - Ann Arbor & Canton

Saint Joseph Mercy Behavioral Services - Brighton

Saint Joseph Mercy Greenbrook - Ann Arbor

Saint Vincent Catholic Charities - Lansing

Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center - Flint

Salvation Army Harbor Light - Clinton Township

Salvation Army Harbor Light - Monroe

Salvation Army Harbor Light Evangeline Center - Detroit

Salvation Army Outpatient Services - Monroe

Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center - Romulus

Salvation Army Turning Point - Grand Rapids

Salvation Army Booth Family Services - Grand Rapids

Samaritan Counseling Services - Ann Arbor

Samaritan Counseling Center of SE Michigan -

Farmington Hills

S.E. Michigan Community Alliance (Detroit Only) - Detroit

S.E. Michigan Community Alliance (Wayne & Monroe Counties) - Taylor

SENICA, LLC - Farmington Hills

Serendipity Group Substance Abuse Treatment - East Lansing

Shar - Detroit

Shinedling, Shinelding & Haller - Bay City

Sobriety House - Detroit

Social Resources - Macomb Township & Fraser

Southwest Counseling & Development Services - Detroit

SOS Community Services - Ypsilanti

Sparrow Hospital, St. Lawrence Campus - Lansing

Starfish Family Services - Inkster

Star Center - Detroit

Still Waters Counseling - Saline

St. Mary's Hospital Substance Abuse Services - Livonia

Substance Abuse Prevention Group - Battle Creek

Summit Pointe - Battle Creek

Taylor Teen Health Center - Taylor

Team Mental Health Services - Detroit, Farmington Hills, Redford & Southgate

Ten Sixteen Recovery Network - Midland

Therapy Center of Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor

Traffic Safety Association - Fraser

Triad Associates - Clarkston

Trinity Family Counseling Center - Utica

Turning Point Recovery Center - Pontiac

University Psychiatric Centers - Detroit & Livonia

University Substance Abuse Clinic - Kalamazoo

U of M Addiction Treatment Services - Ann Arbor

U of M Alcohol Management Program - Ann Arbor

U of M Autism & Communications Center - Ann Arbor

U of M Center for the Child and the Family - Ann Arbor

U of M Center for the Development of Language & Literacy - Ann Arbor

U of M Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - Ann Arbor

U of M Department of Psychiatry - Ann Arbor

U of M Depression Center - Ann Arbor

U of M Family Assessment Clinic - Ann Arbor

U of M Psychological Clinic - Ann Arbor

U of M Sexual Health Counseling - Ann Arbor

Vista Maria - Dearborn Heights

Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital - Westland

Washtenaw County Community Support & Treatment Services - Ypsilanti

Washtenaw/Livingston Substance Abuse Coordination - Ypsilanti

Wayne Youth Services - Wayne

Wedgwood Christian Services - Grand Rapids

Wellspring Counseling - Grand Rapids

Western Michigan University Counseling Services - Kalamazoo

Westlund Guidance Clinic - Saginaw

Wolverine Human Services - Detroit

Women's Center of S.E. Michigan - Ann Arbor

Women's Personal Growth Center - Okemos

Wyandotte Henry Ford Hospital - Wyandotte

Art - Craft - Decor - Floral - Jewelry - Hats - Shirts - Soaps

FREE LUNCH...email to enter...FREE LUNCH...Winner Every 15 Minutes...FREE LUNCH

Vendor Event Success Tips

BY MISTY KEARNS

If you are a crafter or direct sales business owner, a great way to get new contacts and leads for your business is by doing vendor events. There are several kinds of vendor events you can set up a display at.

Mall events are good to advertise and promote your brand, products and your name.

Why participate in a vendor event for your direct sales business?

I personally prefer to spend money on a booth at an event as my main form of advertising. This type of event gives you the chance to talk to people, give out your card and let people in your target area and target market know that you are their local connection for your business. You are also able to get contact info from interested prospects that you can follow up with later. If you advertise in a paper or online, you have to wait and hope that people will see your ad and then contact you. A vendor event if done correctly and attended well can have a very high return on investment for your business.

What things should you consider before agreeing to participate?

When you are calling to check on the events there are a few things you need to keep in mind before signing up. First you want to make sure that there are no other consultants from your company. Michigan Crafters Marketplace - Saturday Super Sale offers Exclusive Exhibitor, only one person selling each brand. Also find out how many years the event has been established and how many people attend on average. Other things to consider are whether it is indoors or outdoors. For an event that tens of thousands of people come through, it may be worth it to pay $250-$500 for a booth.

How to prepare for a vendor event:

Once you have found an event or two to participate in, it’s time to get yourself, your products and your display ready. As for products, I recommend bringing your business kit that new recruits get for signing up as part of your display. Then bring host specials and customer specials for the rest of your demo. You are going to want to be focusing on recruiting and dating parties so having those items and signage that goes along with it will help. Be sure to have catalogs, sales fliers, business cards and party and recruiting packets too!

Be sure to bring a good selection of products to sell and set up a clean display. I like to use small metal shelves on my table to organize my display and my cash and carry products. It helps my booth stand out from the others and allows me to showcase many more products than just stacking a few on the table.

Be sure to dress for success or match the type of event you are attending. Wear a shirt with your logo and casual dress pants or a logo or polo shirt and very nice jeans. Depending on the event and the location of the event, I typically wear nice clothes with a logo shirt. Most of the events and the areas my business is in are outdoors or more casual so I would look out of place and not as approachable if I were wearing business attire. If your event is in a higher class area or business/location you may want to dress up more. Whatever you choose to wear, make sure it is ironed and looks nice so you represent your company (and yourself) well.

How to get leads and new contacts for your business:

The most important reason to do vendor events is to get those new contacts and leads for your business – contacts that you can follow up with. The easiest way to do this is to a drawing for a prize! It can be products you have in stock or a gift certificate. The amount is up to you and should be based on the size of the event. For a smaller event, I may do just a $15 gift certificate. For a very large event, I may do a gift basket with $100 worth of products in it. I put out a few clipboards with a drawing slip and a sign about the drawing. The drawing slip asks for their name, address, phone #, email and then has a few check boxes asking their interest in learning more about earning free products by hosting a party, earning an income by beginning their own business and learning more about our fundraiser program. I do ask them to fill it out completely. While they are filling it out I will have a quick conversation with them. If they check off yes on any of the boxes I will go ahead and follow up right then and see if I can share more information or find out more about what specifically they are interested in.

Not everyone will want to fill out a drawing slip. Not everyone who fills it out is really interested in your product or company, some just want a chance to win a prize. The rule of 100 no’s to get 10 yeses applies to vendor events too.

Remember to smile and be friendly to everyone! Say hello, ask them how they are, compliment them, invite them into the booth. Use open ended questions to start a conversation. How long has it been since you’ve seen our products? How long has it been since you’ve been to one of our parties? What problems are you having that we can help you solve with our products? Be genuinely interested in helping people. You do not need to be pushy or sales person like to be successful in direct sales.

The #1 Rule to make your vendor events successful

You may give out 200 business cards and get 100 drawing slips filled out. You may even get a booking or two on the spot. All of that is great and an essential part of building your business, but you need do to one more thing to make sure your vendor event is successful. You must follow up. Let me repeat, you must follow up! “The fortune is in the follow up” they say and I promise you that is the truth! You need to call your leads within 24-48 hours to follow up, especially potential hosts and recruits. People lose 10% of the excitement each day so if you wait a week to follow up they are already going to be 70% less excited than when you spoke to them. Be sure to add people to your email list if they included their email and marked that they wanted to be added to your newsletter list. I always email everyone who didn’t check off any particular boxes and thank them for stopping by my booth and offer a coupon or shipping discount on their first purchase made within 30 days too.

Vendor events can be a great way to build your direct sales business. When I started, did not know that many people. I have since grown a lot of local family and friends. They are the main way that I build my customer base over the past seven years. I love doing the events, I love meeting and talking to new people and making new connections. I especially love letting people know that my direct sales company (Tupperware) is still out there and that I am their local connection and happy to help them!

Laurel Park Place, Livonia

10,000 spaces @ Hazel Park Raceway

June, August 2017

No guns, knives, weapons, fireworks

FREE LUNCH

B I N G O

Events@essmichigan.org

412 W 14 Mile, Troy, MI

Laurel Park Place 37700 Six Mile, Livonia, MI 48152

A UNiqUe Exhibition

Some of most famous entrepreneurs came from Michigan:

Edison, Ford, Kellogg

Local artists, crafters, designers, entrepreneurs,

direct sales, local businesses, special exhibitors, vendors

tables in middle of Oakland Mall and all around fountain

Everyone provided matching tables, cloths, chairs.

EXPO

Expo or Exhibition:

An exhibition or organized presentation and display of a selection of items, where companies showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services

What do you do? What do you make? What do you sell?

Home based, Independent, Local, New, and other small businesses, services

Advertise Exhibit Market Promote Sell

Michigan Crafters

Marketplace

What do you make? Sell hand crafted items at Oakland Mall, Troy, MI

Everyone Invited!

Includes: eight foot table, chairs, matching table cloths, no others please. Inside stores at Oakland Mall $39 to sell hand crafted items.

Everyone that makes hand crafted items. These events began in 2012 and continue as an opportunity for people with disabilities to sell their hand crafted items.

Oakland Mall, Troy, MI

March 10 & October 13, 2018

EXPO Michigan

Michigan