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A Guide to Starting a Food Truck Business

posted September 24, 2024   category » Festival Food Vendors
A Guide to Starting a Food Truck Business

The popularity of food trucks has greatly increased over the past decade! Starting a food truck business can be challenging, but with the right guidance and support, success can be achieved. This thorough guide aims to help aspiring food truck owners navigate the industry and find success early on. From conducting local industry research, creating a sound business plan, choosing the right vehicle, and setting up various smart marketing campaigns to reach your audience for your launch, this blog post will get you going in the right direction!!

A Guide For Providing Backstage Comfort And Facilities For Festival Performers

posted September 5, 2024   category » Event Promoter Tips
A Guide For Providing Backstage Comfort And Facilities For Festival Performers

For music festival performers, stage hands, and tour managers, there's nothing more important than having an organized and well-equipped backstage area to have a smooth and positive concert experience. Many musicians and their staff have had too many bad experiences at music festivals due to lack of backstage facilities, most notably at a rock festival last year that had to be canceled part way through its four-day run. The band Electric Callboy was included in the event, and according to their tour manager Ian Roberts, they had to deal with a host of unpleasant backstage conditions, including a faulty air conditioner in the dressing room and having no drinking water or hospitality backstage. "Catering for lunch was pretty much non-existent at all," Roberts said. "The staff, the bands, nobody should have to experience this, ever."

Event planners should keep in mind that a festival will only be successful if the event is enjoyable for both the performers and the audience. The comfort and wellness of your performers should be prioritized, and it's imperative to supply your backstage area with all the essentials so that they can prepare for an awesome performance. Here's a guide for providing backstage comfort and facilities for festival performers. 

Florida Nautical Expo Seeks Vendors

posted August 28, 2024   category » Event Highlights
Florida Nautical Expo Seeks Vendors

Calling South FL Artists & Vendors!

The annual Big Pine & Lower Keys Nautical Expo features items designed for sailors, boaters, anglers, kayakers and others who enjoy experiencing the island chain's unique seafaring environment, and divers and snorkelers immersed in the Florida Keys’ underwater realm. 

Join the more than 100 vendors expected to display and sell their wares at the event, to be held on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce visitor center, mile marker 31 oceanside on Big Pine Key.



Tips for Transporting Art Safely to Festivals and Fairs

posted August 20, 2024   category » Small Business Resources
Tips for Transporting Art Safely to Festivals and Fairs

Transporting art safely to festivals and fairs is a big concern for artists and collectors alike. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a first-time exhibitor, taking precautions to protect your valuable pieces during transit is essential. Explore practical tips to help you safeguard your art from damage while ensuring it arrives at your destination in perfect condition.

Understanding the Importance of Proper Packing and Transporting Art Safely

When it comes to transporting art safely, the packing process plays a vital role. Selecting the right materials and techniques can distinguish between a successful exhibit and a damaged masterpiece.

Overcoming Musical Frustration

posted August 13, 2024   category » Musician Tips
Overcoming Musical Frustration
Are you musically frustrated with yourself? Are you not the musician that you want to be? Or not as good as you could be or should be? Do you look with envy at other musicians who are doing what you wish you could be doing? Does reaching your greatest musical goals seem out of reach?


I think just about everyone has had these thoughts go through their mind from time to time. Fortunately, you are not alone and there are things you can do to combat the negativity of frustration. Many of the great masters of music have been frustrated at times with their own musical abilities. I've provided four (4) examples from famous classical composers:

🏝️ The Island Art Festival Calling For Artists and Food Vendors

posted July 30, 2024   category » Event Highlights
🏝️ The Island Art Festival Calling For Artists and Food Vendors
Get in on the opening event for the tourist season in the Keys. A Keys tradition always on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving (Small Market Saturday), The Island Art Festival is the premier event for the Christmas shopping season.


Many people from south Florida take advantage of what is a 4-day weekend to come to the Keys & explore! As a very artisan community, folks are always looking for special items to take home.

How to Rock a Craft Show: The Art of Personality Mirroring

posted July 24, 2024   category » Inspiration
How to Rock a Craft Show: The Art of Personality Mirroring

Craft shows are a big deal to the average crafter. It's a brief chance to share our designs with the world. After 6 years of doing craft shows, I know I have about 3 minutes from the time a customer sees my products until they make a purchase. In a normal sales cycle, a 3 minute closing time is insane!

When you only have a few critical seconds to make a first impression (and ultimately a sale), what do you do?

How to Plan the Perfect Festival Weekend Getaway

posted July 18, 2024   category » Inspiration
How to Plan the Perfect Festival Weekend Getaway

Are you ready to plan the perfect festival weekend getaway? Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or a first-timer, thoughtful preparation is the key to a fantastic experience. This guide will walk you through choosing the right festival, setting a budget, and packing effectively. You'll learn how to make the most of your festival experience by managing travel accommodations and navigating the event like a pro. Follow these steps to enjoy every moment without stress, creating unforgettable memories along the way.

🥇Featured Event Sale Ends Tomorrow

posted July 11, 2024   category » FestivalNet News & Promotions
Summer Savings on Event Advertising

Last 36 Hours! Make your event a Featured Event @ 25% OFF! Put your event on top of your state page, above the free listings targeting artists, vendors AND event-goers! .

Whether your event is next month or in the spring, get featured now at one low price and stay Featured til your event comes to pass.  This sale comes 'round maybe once a year. (Be sure your event is up-to-date first!)

Featured Event with web link
1-2 events $89/ea  $66.75/each
3-5 events $79/ea   $59.25/each


Featured Event without web link
1-2 events $68/ea  $51/each
3-5 events $63/ea  $47.25/each


Your Featured Event will last until your event is over, up to 11 months. Head over to our Featured Events order page now. 😊

Safety First at Festivals: 3 Key Aspects of Infrastructure for a Successful Event

posted July 5, 2024   category » Event Promoter Tips

Safety is key to a safe and enjoyable festival, highlighting the importance of reviewing safety initiatives ahead of any summer festival this year. For instance, new safety and security rules have been instituted for the 2024 Fairport Mardi Gras in Ohio, with the goal of preventing rowdy behavior. For first-time festival facilitators or seasoned coordinators who wish to conduct a comprehensive review of event plans well in advance, managing common safety concerns in relation to festival infrastructure is a great place to start. From the value of a simple yet effective layout to how a comprehensive plan can go a long way, there are several basics that should never be ignored.

Festival Water Station

Get the website of your dreams 🚀💻💸

posted June 26, 2024   category » Small Business Resources
Get the website of your dreams  🚀💻💸

If you still need a website, keep reading! We have connected with an incredible company called UENI that helps small businesses like yours create a website - extremely affordably and way too easy, with a money back guarantee! We have partnered with them to offer FestivalNet members a crazy deep discount. Get the website of your dreams built for you for just $149.... worth over $1500, with everything you need to succeed. No tech, design, or SEO skills needed.

🎃Find the Perfect Autumn Art Fair on FestivalNet

posted June 17, 2024   category » Event Highlights
🎃Find the Perfect Autumn Art Fair on FestivalNet

Autumn art fairs provide a vibrant platform for artists and crafters to showcase their talent and for art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the creative spirit of the season. FestivalNet.com is an invaluable resource for finding the perfect autumn art fair, offering comprehensive listings and detailed information to help artists and event-goers alike. Whether you are an artist looking to apply to a fair or a visitor eager to explore unique creations, FestivalNet makes the search efficient. In this blog, we will spotlight three fantastic featured fall festivals!

Tips for Enjoying Summer Festivals Alone in 2024

posted June 10, 2024   category » Inspiration
Tips for Enjoying Summer Festivals Alone in 2024

As summer rolls in, the thrill of festivals—bursting with music, art, and culture—beckons everyone, even those venturing out solo. In 2024, embracing the adventure alone crafts a story of personal freedom and offers an enriching pathway to self-discovery and independence. This blog post will serve as your guide to enjoying summer festivals alone, ensuring you maximize every moment. From selecting the right festival to capturing unforgettable memories, these tips aim to empower and inspire solo attendees to transform any festival experience into a personal celebration of self-expression and joy.

Use Social Media to Grow Your Fan Base

posted June 3, 2024   category » Small Business Resources
Use Social Media to Grow Your Fan Base

As an artist or creator, it's essential to have a robust online presence in today's digital age. Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook provide an excellent way to connect with your fans, share your content, and build your audience. In this blog post, we'll explore strategies for using social media to advance your fan base and take your career to the next level.

The first step in using social media to advance your fan base is to determine which platforms best fit you and your content. While platforms like Facebook and Instagram are popular among artists, consider niche platforms like TikTok, Reddit, or X, formerly known as Twitter, if they align with your target audience.

Top Ten Tips for Running a Food Stand at a Festival

posted May 29, 2024   category » Festival Food Vendors
Top Ten Tips for Running a Food Stand at a Festival

Running a food stand at a festival can be an exciting venture that allows you to showcase your culinary skills and create a memorable dining experience for festival-goers. However, with numerous food vendors competing for attention, it's essential to stand out and maximize your sales. In this blog post, we'll provide you with our top ten tips for running a food stand at a festival, with a focus on increasing sales and achieving success.

Plan your menu carefully

Crafting a well-thought-out menu is crucial to attracting customers and maximizing sales. Consider offering a diverse range of items that cater to different dietary preferences and restrictions. In addition to your signature dishes, incorporate vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options to accommodate various tastes. Unique twists on classic festival foods can also give your stand an edge, such as specialty sauces or unexpected flavor combinations.

Excellent Tips for Driving Event Attendance with Email Marketing

posted May 21, 2024   category » Event Promoter Tips
Excellent Tips for Driving Event Attendance with Email Marketing

For event marketers looking to email to get the word out on their event, the question then becomes: How do you stand out?

1. Make your email look great on mobile

It's a mobile world. Given the love affair with all-things-mobile, it's not surprising to learn that more people rely on their phones for everything from checking their email to RSVPing to an event.

🎨 Upcoming June Deadlines from Pacific Fine Arts Festivals

posted May 13, 2024   category » Event Highlights

June 2024 Application
Deadline Approaching*


San Carlos Art & Wine Faire

Fine Arts & Fine Crafts
DEADLINE: June 3, 2024
October 12 & 13, 2024
Laurel St. & San Carlos Ave.
San Carlos, CA
More Info: pacificfinearts.com/applications/san-carlos-art-wine-faire




Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival

Arts & Crafts
DEADLINE: June 3, 2024
October 19 & 20, 2024
Historic Main Street
Downtown Half Moon Bay, CA

More Info: pacificfinearts.com/applications/half-moon-bay-art-pumpkin-festival

Why venues aren't returning your emails

posted May 7, 2024   category » Musician Tips
Why venues aren't returning your emails

The frustration of your communications being ignored and going unanswered is enough to make some musicians throw in the towel immediately. But there are perfectly legitimate reasons why venues both local and national either simply can't or choose not to reply to every band that reaches out to them (and there's probably a lot of them).

A talent buyer's motivation for not giving one particular email the time of day could depend on a variety of factors — so making an effort to put yourself in their shoes could make the difference in whether you end up getting through. So if you're wondering why venues just don't return your emails, here are just a few common reasons.

Unreadable and uninformative messages

When you contact venues about a show, what you write and how you write it both matter. Nothing says "waste of time" more than an unsolicited email rife with spelling and grammar errors because if you can't be bothered to care about spelling, it sends the message that you don't care about your art, either.

Choosing the Right Payment Gateways for Your Business

posted April 30, 2024   category » Small Business Resources
Choosing the Right Payment Gateways for Your Business

Choosing the right payment gateways for your small business is crucial for seamless financial transactions and customer satisfaction. This guide explores the essential criteria to consider, including cost efficiency, security standards, and integration capabilities. It provides insights to ensure your payment gateway aligns perfectly with your business needs and enhances your operational workflow.

For mobile transactions at festivals and fairs, it's often necessary to rely on your cellular data, mobile hot spot, local wifi, or other means of connection. These are important things to consider when choosing your payment gateway.

Understanding Payment Gateways

Payment gateways are essential tools in the digital commerce space. They act as intermediaries that securely transmit critical information between websites or merchant interfaces and the banks processing the transactions. They also come in various forms:

•  Hosted gateways redirect customers to the gateway's platform for payment processing.
•  Integrated solutions process payments seamlessly within the merchant's website.
•  Direct post methods
send transaction details directly from the customer to the gateway, minimizing the merchant’s handling of sensitive data.

Lessons From the Past and Present: A Clean and Green Festival Reigns Supreme in 2024

posted April 23, 2024
Lessons From the Past and Present: A Clean and Green Festival Reigns Supreme in 2024

Major festivals in the United States — such as Coachella, Stagecoach, and Desert Trip generate around 100 tons of solid waste each festival day. While the placement of trash cans and recycling bins are a great start in encouraging a clean venue, the sanitation and hygiene of a large event extends well beyond simple waste disposal solutions. For outdoor festivals, a clean venue is imperative to a hygienic and enjoyable event, with events of both the past and present providing insight into how today's festivals can provide a clean and enjoyable experience for all in attendance.

 Failed festivals highlight today's improvements

 Music festivals of the past that have showcased the value of hygienic practices — Woodstock '99 serves as just one classic example. The festival aimed to mimic the original 1969 Woodstock festival, however, it was overtaken by a number of challenges that included the environmental conditions, overpriced food and water, violence, and poor sanitation. In addition to an insufficient number of toilets and trash cans, sanitation workers that failed to appear only added to the challenges that left the festival with a less than desirable memory that highlights the necessity of a hygienic venue.