New Vendor FAQ

We receive many questions from new vendors each year. Below we’ve outlined answers to the questions we’ve received this year. If you have a question, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask!

Set Up

Registration happens in the Main Lobby of the Expo Center. The Main Expo Entrance is on the East side of the Expo Center. You’ll notice the large columns flanking the shiny doors. As you enter, staff will be waiting to help you at the main lobby desk. Please wait in line patiently.

Bring your confirmation letter, with your confirmation number, to the front desk. Tell the staff your number, and they will give you your vendor packet.

Your packet will have your name and number along the top. The first sticker on the packet will denote your table numbers and the number of badges you have been allotted. The bottom sticker on the packet will have an expo center map with an “X” marking the general location of your tables. On the left-hand side, you’ll find the vendor-exclusive wifi password for processing credit cards.

Please put on your vendor badges immediately. Badges must be worn at all times. There is a lot of valuable merchandise coming into the building, and anyone without a badge will be escorted out immediately.

After you have your packet, your badges, and the general location of your tables, you can begin to load into the building. Some may choose to locate their tables by walking to them first, others use the map and find the nearest loading gate to the general location of their tables, and move their vehicle in place to unload.

Absolutely NO LOADING is permitted through the Main Expo Doors. ALL ITEMS must be brought in through a designated loading gate.

Clothing

Period clothing is NOT required during vendor set up or tear down.

Period clothing is required during show hours, 9-5 Saturday, 9-4 on Sunday for anyone wearing an exhibitor badge. Modern blue jeans are NOT allowed. Modern footwear IS allowed and encouraged. The safety and comfort afforded by modern footwear is critical to everyone’s comfort and safety.

Anyone found to be wearing an exhibitor badge and not dressed in pre-1890 clothing will be given a warning to get changed. If attire is not corrected, you will be asked to leave and not invited back to the show in the future.

This show doesn’t have a scenic old fort or natural landscape to help the ambiance. Vendors in period dress is critical to the ambiance of the show.

Food

The Kalamazoo County Expo Center Concessionaire will be on site during the duration of the event with breakfast and lunch options as well as snacks and drinks. Many vendors choose to and are allowed to bring in their own food, water, and snacks during the event for personal consumption.

Security

The Kalamazoo Living History Show hires security professionals for the duration of the event.

At the end of set up Friday night and the end of the show on Saturday, the building will go under security lockdown. No one will be permitted in the building until 6am when staff arrive.

At the end of set up Friday night and the end of the show Saturday, vendors need to drape all tablecloths up and over their merchandise so security may see under every table. This measure is to assist in fully clearing the building and maintaining security over night.

Firearm Inspection

All firearms will be inspected by show staff to ensure they are empty and SAFE to have at the show.

NMLRA representatives will be surveying the halls during set up and throughout the duration of the show for unchecked arms.

Inspection is quick, clean, and safe.

A non-abrassive ramrod is inserted in the bore and measured to the breech on the exterior to ensure each arm is unloaded.

Unloaded arms get a zip tie through the trigger guard.

Any arms found to be un-safe have to be removed from the building by the owning vendor.

This is non-negotiable.

Should the arm be made safe, it can be brought back into the show and re-inspected by staff.

Vendor Church Service

Non-denominational church service for vendors begins at 8:15am in Room A on Sunday.

Are Pets Allowed?

No pets are allowed at the show except service animals. Click here for ADA Service Animal Guidelines