What is the difference between a vendor and an expert advisor?

1. Vendors have items that can be sold on site.
2. Expert advisors are women with service-based businesses who can offer 10-minute consultations for women launching businesses.

Both vendors and experts have the opportunity to make sales, set up future appointments, and get exposure in front of approximately 450 women.


Vendors who have the best experience typically have "impulse buy" price points ($20-$40). Vendors with higher-priced items have said that this may not be the best audience for them. It is up to the vendor to determine what they want to get out of the opportunity—sales, exposure, experience, building a mailing list, etc. Examples of items vendors have sold include jewelry, beauty products, fashion accessories, food products, handbags, books, children's items, gift items, stationery, DVDs, and women's apparel.


Expert advisors have the opportunity to host up to twelve 10-minute one-on-one consultations. Examples of past experts include women working in PR, marketing, sales, graphic design, Web design, public speaking, bookkeeping, financial planning, life coaching, business coaching, personal/professional organization, health/nutrition/fitness, photography, apparel manufacturing/design, book authorship, publishing, and more.


Can I be a vendor or expert advisor?
If you have a service or area of expertise and want to attract new clients or simply give back to women launching, yes!


How much does it cost to be a vendor or expert advisor?
Vendor member: $275; Vendor non-member: $500 Expert member: $275; Expert non-member: $500


What does that price include?
Vendor: 6' table, two chairs, two event tickets Expert: 3' table, two chairs, two event tickets Please note that you get two tickets to the event. This is to help you manage your space and help drive traffic to your table. Bring someone who will help sell you! The tables are on the second floor of the venue. There are both stairs and an elevator.


What if I don't want to bring a second person and only want one ticket?
That's fine, but the price is still the same. So you might as well bring someone because it's only going to help you. Yes, you can bring your husband or significant other. Trust us, you want a wing-woman/man. Especially if you are an expert advisor. It will make a huge difference to have someone driving traffic to you.


What should I bring?
Table linens, signage, tabletop display, business cards, mailing list, sweets/chocolates, flowers/decoration, promotional products, items to sell (vendors), mirrors, lights*, credit card machine*, brochures or other handouts. *Additional charge applies if you need a power source.


Should I do it?
It's totally up to you! You get three dedicated shopping/advising hours throughout the day—before the event, during lunch, and after the event ends. Lunch will be served on the same floor, so people will be routed to you at least once during the day. You will have exposure to 450 women. You get to bring a friend to help. If you're ready or not, this is a fun, safe place to really try out your trade-showesque persona and work out all the kinks. Or to demonstrate your progress and amazingness and give others someone to look up to! Be the role model. Or the supermodel. Either way. Be you!


What are the logistical details for set-up and clean-up?
Exhibits must be completely installed at least 30 minutes prior to the opening of the show. Exhibit management reserves the right to reassign any space not installed at that time. No packing or dismantling of exhibits will be permitted prior to the official closing of the exhibition.

• Load in: 6 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
• No access to the venue prior to Saturday, September 6
• No deliveries will be accepted ahead of time
• All booths must be set up by 8:30 a.m. (doors open at 9 a.m.)


What are the venue rules?
1) No open flames.
2) All beverage service will be contracted through the in-house concessionaire, Best Beverage Catering.
3) Vendors and exhibitors must remove all garbage and trash from facility at the end of the event.
4) Balloons: If you plan on using balloons, a refundable deposit of $500.00 must be paid in advance.
5) Venue maintains a no-smoking policy.
6) Vendors will only be allowed access to the facility at the times listed in the vendor agreement.
7) Vendor set-up is not allowed in showroom hallways.
8) Marked aisles and exits, as designated on approved floor plans, shall be kept clean, clear, and free of obstacles. Interior furnishings and materials shall not be located as to obstruct or block exit ways, fire and safety devices or equipment, or any ramp ways.
9) Passenger elevators are off limits to caterers, vendors, janitorial and set-up crews moving any equipment into or out of the Atrium. Any equipment used on the upper floors must be transported via the freight elevator. Use of the freight elevator is available with prior approval. Only Licensor's staff may operate freight elevator. Caterers and vendors are prohibited from transporting food, beverages, and equipment in the passenger elevators at any time.
10) All event equipment shall be removed at end of event by Licensee. Equipment left in patio may not block any storage sheds or fire exits. Licensor is not responsible for any equipment delivered to or left for pick-up at facility at any time.
11) Galleria will not accept deliveries on behalf of vendors. Licensor does not sign for packages or shipments, and does not have a locked storage area.


Are there refunds?
There are no refunds, but if something comes up and you cannot participate, you can send someone else in your place to represent you or another person instead of you. If you pay a member price and they are a non-member, they might have to pay the difference.


GIFT BAGS & PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES


Can I put my information in the gift bags?
Inclusion in the gift bags is reserved/free for members. Non-member inclusion is available ($200 fee). Please send an e-mail to milestones.events@hotmail.com to notify us if you are interested in being included in the gift bags.


What can I put in the gift bags?
We want to maintain the joy of gifts and help the environment by not cluttering the bags with items that will be easily tossed into the trash.

Here is what we will allow:

- Has to be an actual item, not just paper good or discount card.
- Must be a useful item or product.
- Non-perishable items only.

If interested, please submit the following information: Name, company, product, value per item donated. Items must be shipped to the events department 10 days prior to the event.


What are my other options for self-promotion at the event?
A table will be set up for attendees to place business cards, postcards, and flyers. This table will not be staffed. Please make sure your promotional materials are in good taste, and respectful of the other displaying ladies represented on the table. No charge to put your postcards, business cards, or other fliers and stuff here.


LOCATION, TRANSPORTATION, PARKING, HOTELS


Where is the event?
The Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center, 101 Henry Adams Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. www.sfdesigncenter.com


How do I get there?
• From the Bay Bridge and Interstate 80: Take the Ninth Street/Civic Center exit. Turn left on Eighth Street. Continue three blocks to Townsend. Go around traffic circle to Henry Adams Street.
• From Downtown San Francisco: Take Hyde Street across Market Street, where Eighth Street begins. Continue down Eighth to Townsend. Go around traffic circle to Henry Adams Street.
• From Marin County and Highway 101 South: From the Golden Gate Bridge, take Lombard Street exit to Van Ness Avenue. Turn right on Van Ness. Proceed to O'Farrell and turn left. Proceed to Hyde Street and turn right. Take Hyde across Market Street, where Eighth Street begins. Continue down Eighth Street to Townsend. Go around traffic circle to Henry Adams Street.
• From the Peninsula and Highway 101: Take the Vermont Street exit, turn left on Vermont. Continue down three blocks, turn right on 15th, left on Kansas.


Is there parking?
Detailed parking instructions and map will be sent out 10 days prior to the event. Street parking is available near and around the Design Center Galleria. Please note: The street that the main entrance is on (Henry Adams Street) is marked for 2-hour parking. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO PARKING SIGNS IN THE AREA—we will not reimburse parking tickets. Plan to park on the other side off Henry Adams/Kansas Street and up towards Potrero Hill, behind the building on Rhode Island, and the side streets (Alameda, 15th, etc). The lot across the street will also be available to vendors, sponsors, and speakers.


Can I carpool?
Since parking in the area is limited, we encourage carpooling. To coordinate carpools, please use the Ladies Who Launch Facebook page to communicate with each other:


If I want to stay overnight, what hotel do you recommend?
A block of rooms has been reserved at a discounted rate at the HOTEL DIVA.


MORE QUESTIONS
E-mail Kristi Calhoon Smith of Milestones Events or Allie Covarrubias of Ladies Who Launch if you have any other questions.