August 31, 2024: Deadline to submit merchant specifications and merchant application
September 6, 2024: the Official merchant list will be made open to the public.
November 8, 2024: Staggered Merchant Load In from 7 AM – 9 AM
November 8, 2024: Harvest Luncheon and Market from 10 AM-12 PM and 1 PM- 2PM
November 8, 2024: Merchant Tear-down and Load Out from 2PM-4PM
THE APPLICATION PROCESS is as follows: Complete the Merchant agreement and application and submit it by August 31, 2024.
ALL ITEMS OFFERED FOR SALE. You must provide a full description on your application of all Items you will be bringing and the price range for items being sold. You will only be allowed to sell what is on your application. The Kids’ Meals reserves the right to refuse any application.
PAYMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED IN THE FORM OF CHECK OR CREDIT CARD. Payment MUST be received at 2 PM November 8, 2024. Payment is 20% of your Harvest Market sales.
AUCTION ITEM: Your contribution will also include a donated item with a $100 minimum value, to be used in the Harvest Market auction. A description of the donated item must be included in your application. Auction items and in-kind form must be donated by October 9, 2024.
SPACES will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. No space is considered reserved until Kids’ Meals receives a signed agreement. Spaces will be assigned by Kids’ Meals and the Harvest Market Committee.
EXHIBIT SPACES will be in the foyer of the 4th floor of the Marriott Marquis Houston, and you will have two 8’ tables, two chairs, and a black floor-length tablecloth provided by Kids’ Meals and the Marriott. You can bring additional tables and displays if they fit in your assigned space. If you are selected for a booth with electricity (1 electrical plug), you must provide your own extension cord. Electrical power strips may NOT be used to increase the number of plugs available to any merchant. You will not have access to wall space. No part of your display can be attached to the wall or extended beyond the space allotted.
AMENITIES: Harvest Market will be held indoors, in a climate-controlled area. The restrooms are adjacent to the ballroom. Staff and volunteers will be available at load-in to assist you in quickly and efficiently unloading your inventory. There will be staff and volunteers to help you with load-out. Staff, and volunteers will not be available to stand in for merchants. Food and drink will not be included. If you purchase food, a coffee shop and Biggio’s Restaurant are on hotel property. If you choose to bring in your food/drink, we ask that you bring in food/drink discreetly and at your discretion, as it is against hotel policy. You will be given access to Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi codes will be provided at your merchant booth.
LOAD-IN for the Harvest Market will be staggered over two hours and begin at 7 AM at the loading dock on Monday, 11/8/24. Check-in times will be assigned by October 30, 2024. Merchandise can be set up immediately after load-in. Your designated merchant tables will be labeled with your name. All merchants must be set up and ready to sell by 10:00 am. After unloading merchandise, merchants are encouraged to use the parking garage. You will be provided with a map indicating parking areas and rates. Kids’ Meals staff /volunteers and the Marriott will not be held liable for damaging merchandise during this process. Please use their support at your discretion.
LOAD OUT: Harvest Market will close promptly at 2:00 p.m. Merchants are responsible for cleaning their space and must be completely vacated by 4:00 p.m. If not, you will be billed at the discretion of both Kids’ Meals and the Marriott. Kids’ Meals staff /volunteers and the Marriott will not be held liable for damaged merchandise during this process. Please use their support at your discretion.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Merchants must agree to post at least once on their social media platforms in the days leading up to the event. Kids’ Meals will provide pre-written social media posts and current facts to use. Kids’ Meals to post at least one social media post with your merchant name, logo, tag, etc., close to the event date. Merchant names and links will be listed on the Kids’ Meals website and listed in a full file email to 13,000 Kids’ Meals supporters with the respective merchant website links.
INDEMNIFICATION: I agree to display my products and merchandise at my own risk. Kids’ Meals staff and volunteers are not responsible for goods lost, damaged or stolen. I agree to indemnify and hold any agents and Kids’ Meals, Inc. harmless for any claim or demand, including attorney’s fees, made by myself or any third party due to or arising from registering for this luncheon, participating in this luncheon or violating any rights of another party.
ALL MERCHANTS must abide by the Kids’ Meals’ mission and core values. Kids' Meals’ mission is to end childhood hunger in Houston by delivering free healthy meals, year-round to the doorsteps of Houston's hungriest preschool-aged children and, through collaboration, provide their families with resources.
A copy of this agreement will be available for download on the same page as the application
