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Welcome to Gulf Coast Gatherings!
Back to School Children’s Expo!
Saturday August 10th
Sarasota Fairgrounds Potter Building
2896 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL
10 am to 2pm
Parents! Be sure to attend this FREE indoor event! Our goal is to connect parents with some of the area’s top educational and enrichment programs for children! Meet and greet the coaches from amazing dance, gymnastics, cheer leading, soccer, martial arts, swim and MORE! Explore charter school and private school options, learn about free VPK for preschoolers and providers with openings, tutoring and MORE! There will be door prizes, raffles, and exciting demonstrations and presentations by our partners! This FREE event is indoors, with ample parking, restrooms and light refreshments. The Potter Building is adjacent to Robarts Arena at the Sarasota Fairgrounds at 2896 Ringling Blvd.
Our Esteemed Partners for this event: Acrofit Gymnastics, Agape Christian School, Art and Soul Dance Studio, Aqua Tots Sarasota, Big Cat Habitat, Bricks and Mini Figs, Children’s Art Classes, Drama Kids of Manasota, Dynasty Dance Studio, Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota, Fellowship Jiu Jitsu, FrannyPak Totes and Straps, Girls Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Inc, Learning Academy of Sarasota Preschool, Mathnasium, My Gym of South Sarasota, Platinum Athletics, Sarasota Childrens Museum, Soccer Shots Suncoast, Suncoast School of Innovative Studies, The School House Child, Stretch and Grow and MORE to come!
Welcome to Gulf Coast Gatherings!
Upcoming Events:
$300
We are currently accepting vendor applications for this upcoming event! If you own or manage a local business that caters to children, this event is for you! Calling all child care centers, VPK programs, licensed home child cares, after school care programs, tutors and other educational services! Enrichment programs for kids, such as dance, cheerleader, sports and martial arts will also be featured! Only 30 spots available! Meet directly with parents looking for your services or programs. The date and location is 8/10, 2896 Ringling Blvd, indoors at the Sarasota Fairground's Potter Building!
Sports and Fitness Expo!
$300
Are you a local sports or fitness professional, looking to meet new clients face to face and showcase your talents and services? Are online ads just not bringing you the clients you hoped for? Meet potential new customers face to face, and let them get to know you! We are currently forming a list of vendors for this unique event. Golf professionals, tennis instructors, personal trainers, coaches, retailers specializing in sports and recreation equipment, fitness centers and sports organizations will be featured. This event is tentatively scheduled for January 2025
$200
Calling all local independent artisans, craftsman and up-cycling enthusiasts! This outdoor event is the perfect way to meet customers and sell your unique creations to a wide audience during the cool autumn season before the holidays. Location TBD
Vendor Application Information:
Please email us at gulfcoastgatherings@gmail.com, or use the contact form below, with the following information:
Your name and the name of your business.
Your contact information.
Event that you are applying for.
A brief description of the goods or services your booth will be offering at the event. Please be as descriptive as possible, and include any photos that represent your goods or services.
Please state that you have read and understand all of the information concerning times, locations, booth requirements, payment and event criteria.
General Requirements for the “Back-to-School Children’s Expo” event.
All vendors must offer a good or service that is directly related to children and families. We are giving priority to educational services, enrichment programs, childcare facilities and licensed family daycare providers. We strongly encourage small businesses such as tutors, coaches, art and music instructors, retailers, sporting programs and specialty services to apply as well.
All vendors are required to have a booth that is neat, organized and appealing. You must provide your own tables, chairs, table coverings (required), display materials and information for parents. A limited number of 8’ tables may be available for a fee, please provide your own covering. You or your representative must have a professional appearance and be prepared to answer questions from parents and caregivers. This is your opportunity to reach out to parents and guardians, in person, to promote your business and make valuable connections.
Your booth must be up and operational at the time the doors open to the public. You must keep your booth staffed and operational until the end of the event. 1 to 1.5 hours of set up and break down time will be provided. The indoor venue will have proper lighting, air conditioning and electricity. The venue has a bathroom, very ample parking, and is at a well-known location on the Sarasota Fairgrounds site. Event organizers will be on site for the duration of the event. The event will be featured on the highly visible Fairgrounds LED marquee on Fruitville Road, and advertised online, through event listings, social media, and listed places that publicize local events of interest. Organizers will provide a limited number of door prizes and raffles. We request all vendors participating have a small promotional gift, informational brochure, or business card to be include in the bags handed out to all attendees.
The vendor booths are 10’x10’ and will be assigned by the organizer. The cost is $300 per booth. 10% discounts will be offered to vendors wanting more than one booth. 50% deposit of the total payment is due upon acceptance of your proposed booth, the remaining 50% is due prior to the beginning time of the event. There are no refunds of deposits or final payments. If you reserve a booth and pay a deposit, there are no cancellation refunds of the deposit.
Date: August 10 from 10am to 2pm. Set up opens 830am and takedown ends at 3pm.
Place: The Potter Building, Sarasota Fairgrounds, Ringling Blvd
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