Vendor agreement

1. This Is the Agreement

This Vendor Agreement, together with the application you submit for a particular market, applicable Vendor Guidelines, and any market-specific requirements provided by The Makers Hive Market, forms the agreement governing your participation in that market.

The agreement is formed when you submit an application that references this Vendor Agreement.

If your application is approved and your booth fee is paid, these terms govern your participation in that market.

Each market application is separate. A later application will be governed by the version of the Vendor Agreement referenced by that later application.

You represent that you are authorized to enter into this agreement on behalf of the business identified in your application and that the information provided in your application is accurate and complete.

2. Acceptance Does Not Guarantee Future Markets

Acceptance into one Makers Hive Market does not guarantee acceptance into any future market.

Applications are reviewed individually based on factors including, but not limited to:

• product category;
• product quality and presentation;
• market needs;
• category balance;
• available space;
• venue restrictions;
• previous participation; and
• compliance with this agreement and the Vendor Guidelines.

The Makers Hive Market reserves the right to approve or decline applications at its discretion.

3. Booth Fees Are Final

All booth fees are non-refundable and non-creditable except where this agreement specifically states otherwise.

This applies regardless of how far in advance you cancel and regardless of the reason, including:

• illness;
• family or personal emergencies;
• travel issues;
• staffing problems;
• transportation problems;
• inventory or supply issues;
• weather affecting your travel;
• scheduling conflicts; or
• changes in plans.

When you book a market, we reserve space for your business, manage category availability based on confirmed vendors, may decline other applicants, and commit to venue, staffing, marketing, entertainment, permits, equipment, and operational costs.

For these reasons, vendor cancellations are not eligible for refunds or credits.

4. If We Cancel, Reschedule, or Relocate a Market

If The Makers Hive Market cancels a market, reschedules it to another date, or relocates it to another venue, your booth fee will be credited in full toward a future Makers Hive Market.

Refunds are not issued.

If you cannot attend the rescheduled date or new venue, your credit may be applied to another eligible Makers Hive Market occurring within 12 months of the originally scheduled event date, subject to availability and acceptance.

Credits have no cash value and may not be transferred, sold, or assigned to another vendor.

5. Events Beyond Our Control

Markets are live events and may be affected by circumstances outside our reasonable control.

If a market is prevented, cancelled, materially curtailed, delayed, interrupted, relocated, or otherwise affected by circumstances outside our reasonable control, including:

• severe weather;
• natural disaster;
• fire;
• unsafe conditions;
• public health orders;
• government restrictions;
• utility failures;
• civil disturbance;
• emergencies;
• road closures;
• venue closures;
• venue directives; or
• similar circumstances.

Vendor fees will be handled as a credit toward a future market rather than a refund.

Unless The Makers Hive Market officially cancels or reschedules the market, a vendor's personal decision not to attend because of anticipated weather, travel conditions, or other circumstances is considered a vendor cancellation and remains subject to the normal no-refund/no-credit policy.

6. Vendor Cancellations and No-Shows

If you cancel your participation or fail to attend your scheduled market, you forfeit your booth fee in full.

No refund or credit will be issued.

Please notify us as early as possible if you cannot attend. Advance notice does not change the refund or credit policy, but it may allow us to offer the space to another vendor.

No-Shows

Missing a market without notifying The Makers Hive Market or event staff before your scheduled load-in additionally incurs a no-show fee equal to your original booth fee, which you authorize The Makers Hive Market to charge to the payment method on file.

A space held for a vendor who never arrives cannot reasonably be reassigned once load-in has begun. An unexpected empty booth also affects the market layout, customer experience, neighboring vendors, category planning, and overall event operations.

The no-show fee is separate from the original booth fee.

The original booth fee remains forfeited, and no refund or credit will be issued.

If the payment method on file cannot be successfully charged, the no-show fee will remain an outstanding balance and must be paid before you may apply for or participate in another Makers Hive Market.

Repeated no-shows will result in permanent exclusion from future Makers Hive Markets.

7. Arrival, Load-In, and Check-In

You must arrive during the published load-in window provided in your event instructions and check in with a Makers Hive Market coordinator before setting up your booth.

Failure to check in with a market coordinator may result in a $50 fee.

Arriving late disrupts event setup, creates safety concerns, and may prevent streets, walkways, loading areas, or vendor sections from opening on schedule.

If you arrive after the stated load-in deadline, The Makers Hive Market may:

• relocate your booth;
• delay or deny vehicle access;
• require you to hand-carry your merchandise;
• refuse setup; or
• treat your space as forfeited.

If your space is forfeited because of late arrival, no refund or credit will be issued.

If you are unexpectedly delayed, contact event staff as soon as possible.

Notification does not guarantee that late setup can be accommodated.

8. Market Hours and Early Breakdown

Vendors must remain completely set up, staffed, and open to customers for the entire published market time.

You may not begin packing merchandise, removing displays, taking down tables, moving vehicles into the market area, or otherwise dismantling your booth before the official closing time unless instructed by The Makers Hive Market staff.

This applies even if you:

• sell out;
• have low inventory;
• experience slow sales;
• have another commitment; or
• personally wish to leave early.

Breaking down early or leaving before the official market closing time may result in an additional fee equal to your booth fee and may affect your eligibility for future markets.

Exceptions may be made for genuine emergencies at the discretion of event staff.

9. Your Booth Is Not Transferable

Your booth is assigned to the business named on the approved application.

A booth may not be:

• transferred;
• shared;
• sublet;
• resold;
• assigned; or
• given to another business.

Another business may not operate from your assigned space unless specifically approved in writing by The Makers Hive Market.

Vendor fees and credits are also non-transferable.

10. Approved Products Only

You may only sell, display, sample, distribute, or promote products and services disclosed in your approved application.

Adding a new product category after acceptance requires prior written approval.

The Makers Hive Market may require unapproved items to be removed from your booth.

Selling products substantially different from those approved, bringing prohibited merchandise, or misrepresenting your business during the application process may result in removal from the market without reimbursement.

11. Booth Placement and Category Exclusivity

The Makers Hive Market determines all vendor placement.

Specific booth locations, neighboring businesses, shade, visibility, proximity to entrances, entertainment, food areas, restrooms, parking, or other event features are not guaranteed.

Maps and booth assignments may change before or during an event because of operational requirements, venue requests, accessibility needs, safety concerns, weather, vendor cancellations, utilities, or other circumstances.

Unless specifically confirmed in writing by The Makers Hive Market, participation does not include category or product exclusivity.

Other vendors may sell products that are similar to, overlap with, or compete with yours.

12. Booth Appearance and Vendor Guidelines

Each market may have specific requirements regarding:

• booth dimensions;
• tents or canopies;
• umbrellas;
• weights;
• tables;
• table coverings;
• signage;
• racks;
• displays;
• trailers;
• vehicles;
• generators;
• lighting;
• power;
• food service;
• sampling; and
• other operational requirements.

The guidelines applicable to your market are published through the market application, approval materials, event instructions, or Vendor Guidelines.

You agree to review and comply with the requirements applicable to your market.

Operational guidelines may be updated when reasonably necessary for venue, safety, regulatory, or event-management purposes.

The guidelines in effect for your particular market on the event date are the guidelines that apply.

Failure to comply may result in required modifications to your setup, relocation, denial of setup, or removal from the event without reimbursement.

Vendor Guidelines

13. Booth Safety

You are responsible for keeping your booth safe throughout the event.

All tents, umbrellas, displays, signs, racks, shelving, merchandise, electrical equipment, and other items must be properly secured.

Where tent or canopy weights are required, you must use the amount and type specified in the event instructions.

The Makers Hive Market may require you to modify or remove anything it reasonably determines presents a safety concern.

You are responsible for injuries, property damage, or other losses caused by your booth equipment, merchandise, displays, employees, contractors, assistants, or activities.

14. Electricity and Equipment

Electrical service is not included with a vendor booth unless specifically approved in writing.

Do not connect to venue outlets, extension cords, generators, power-distribution equipment, or another vendor's electrical supply without authorization.

Any approved electrical equipment must comply with venue and fire-safety requirements.

Generators, heaters, open flames, cooking equipment, amplified sound, and similar equipment may only be used where expressly permitted.

15. Loading, Parking, and Vehicles

Vendors must follow all published load-in, load-out, traffic, and parking instructions.

Where instructed, you must unload your merchandise and equipment and then immediately move your vehicle to the designated vendor parking area before setting up your booth.

Vehicles may not remain in:

• loading zones;
• fire lanes;
• pedestrian areas;
• market streets;
• reserved spaces; or
• other restricted areas

unless specifically authorized.

Parking availability and parking costs vary by venue and are not included unless specifically stated.

Failure to follow loading or parking instructions may affect future participation.

16. Permits, Licences, Taxes, and Insurance

You are solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining every permit, licence, registration, certificate, tax authorization, and insurance policy required for your business, products, employees, and participation in the applicable jurisdiction.

This may include, depending on your business:

• seller's permits;
• business licences;
• temporary event permits;
• health permits;
• food-handler certifications;
• cottage-food permits;
• fire permits;
• sales-tax registrations; and
• liability insurance.

You are responsible for collecting, reporting, and paying all taxes associated with your sales.

Required documentation must remain valid on the date of the market and must be produced upon request by The Makers Hive Market, the venue, or any governmental, health, fire, licensing, or regulatory authority.

Trading without required permits or documentation may result in immediate removal without reimbursement.

17. Food, Beverage, and Sampling Vendors

Food and beverage vendors are solely responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable health-department, food-safety, fire, and permitting requirements.

Acceptance into a Makers Hive Market does not mean that your food or beverage operation has been approved by the applicable health department or governmental agency.

You may not operate, prepare food, serve beverages, or provide samples unless you have all approvals required for that particular event and jurisdiction.

If a governmental agency, health department, fire department, venue, or The Makers Hive Market determines that you are not properly permitted to operate, you may be required to stop selling or leave the event.

No refund or credit will be issued for failure to obtain required permits.

18. Employees, Assistants, and Representatives

You are responsible for everyone working in or representing your booth, including:

• employees;
• family members;
• assistants;
• contractors;
• volunteers; and
• anyone helping with setup or breakdown.

Their conduct is treated as your conduct under this agreement.

You are responsible for ensuring that everyone associated with your booth understands and follows all market and venue requirements.

19. Vendor Conduct

Vendors must behave professionally and respectfully toward:

• customers;
• other vendors;
• Makers Hive Market staff;
• venue employees;
• performers;
• contractors; and
• members of the public.

The following conduct may result in immediate removal from the event and/or exclusion from future markets:

• harassment;
• threats;
• abusive conduct;
• discriminatory conduct;
• fighting;
• unsafe behavior;
• intoxication;
• deliberate disruption of another vendor;
• refusal to follow reasonable event instructions;
• unauthorized solicitation;
• illegal activity; or
• conduct that materially interferes with the event.

Removal for vendor misconduct does not entitle the vendor to a refund or credit.

20. Cleanliness and Cleanup

You must maintain your booth and surrounding area in a clean and safe condition throughout the market.

At the end of the event, all merchandise, equipment, signage, displays, packaging, trash, zip ties, food waste, and other materials must be removed.

Your space must be returned in substantially the same condition in which you received it.

Leaving your booth space uncleared at the end of the market incurs a $25 cleanup fee, payable before you may participate in another Makers Hive Market.

You may also be responsible for extraordinary cleaning charges assessed by the venue as a result of your booth or operations.

21. Property Damage

You are responsible for damage caused by you or anyone associated with your business to:

• the venue;
• landscaping;
• buildings;
• pavement;
• furniture;
• electrical systems;
• event equipment;
• neighboring booths; or
• other property.

If The Makers Hive Market or the venue incurs documented costs because of damage caused by your operation, you may be responsible for those costs.

Any unpaid damage charges must be satisfied before you may participate in another Makers Hive Market.

22. Personal Property

You are responsible for your merchandise, equipment, cash, displays, vehicles, and personal property before, during, and after the market.

The Makers Hive Market does not provide security for individual vendor property and is not responsible for lost, stolen, misplaced, or damaged vendor property except to the extent liability cannot legally be excluded.

Do not leave valuables unattended.

23. Assumption of Risk

Participation in an outdoor, indoor, or public market involves ordinary risks associated with public events, including crowds, weather, loading equipment, temporary displays, vehicles, uneven surfaces, merchandise, and interactions with members of the public.

You are responsible for evaluating these risks and operating your booth safely.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, you voluntarily assume the ordinary risks associated with your participation in the market.

24. Indemnification

To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless The Makers Hive Market, its owners, employees, representatives, contractors, venue partners, and agents from third-party claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, or expenses arising out of or relating to:

• your products or services;
• your booth or equipment;
• your business operations;
• your employees, assistants, contractors, or representatives;
• your violation of law;
• your violation of this agreement; or
• injury or property damage caused by your acts or omissions.

This section does not require you to indemnify a party for liability that applicable law does not permit that party to disclaim or transfer.

25. Venue Rules

Many Makers Hive Markets take place on property owned or managed by third parties.

You agree to comply with reasonable rules and instructions imposed by:

• the property owner;
• property management;
• security personnel;
• the fire department;
• the health department;
• municipalities; and
• other governmental or regulatory authorities.

Venue requirements may differ from one market to another.

Where a venue, legal, safety, governmental, or regulatory requirement conflicts with a normal Makers Hive Market operating practice, the applicable requirement will control.

26. Market Changes

Market layouts, vendor counts, entertainment, activities, food offerings, advertised features, operating plans, and participating businesses may change.

The Makers Hive Market does not guarantee that any particular vendor, performer, activation, attraction, restaurant, tenant, or other business will participate or remain available throughout the event.

Reasonable operational changes do not entitle a vendor to a refund or credit.

27. No Guarantee of Attendance, Traffic, or Sales

The Makers Hive Market does not guarantee attendance, foot traffic, customer engagement, transactions, revenue, or sales.

None of these are promises or representations forming part of your booth purchase.

Customer turnout and purchasing behavior are affected by many factors outside our control, including:

• weather;
• seasonality;
• location;
• competing events;
• local traffic;
• economic conditions;
• customer preferences;
• vendor products;
• pricing;
• merchandising;
• booth presentation; and
• individual customer spending decisions.

A busy market does not necessarily result in strong sales for every vendor, and a slower market does not necessarily result in poor sales for every vendor.

Your booth fee purchases your participation space and The Makers Hive Market's organization and promotion of the event.

It does not purchase or guarantee a particular number of shoppers, transactions, or financial result.

28. Marketing and Promotion

The Makers Hive Market promotes events through methods it determines appropriate, which may include:

• social media;
• digital advertising;
• email marketing;
• venue promotion;
• event listings;
• signage;
• partnerships;
• public relations; and
• other marketing channels.

We do not guarantee any particular advertising budget, number of posts, impressions, views, clicks, shares, RSVPs, or other marketing result unless specifically agreed to in writing.

Vendors are strongly encouraged to promote their own participation and share official event marketing with their audiences.

29. Photography and Recording

The Makers Hive Market and its representatives may photograph, film, or otherwise record the market, including booths, products, vendors, employees, and attendees.

Unless prohibited by applicable law, participation constitutes permission for The Makers Hive Market to use images or recordings of your booth, products, signage, and event participation for legitimate promotional, editorial, archival, and marketing purposes.

If you do not want your individual likeness intentionally featured in promotional content, notify a market coordinator at check-in and we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.

30. Accessibility

We want our markets to be accessible.

If you require a reasonable accommodation related to your vendor participation, contact us sufficiently in advance of the market so that we have an opportunity to evaluate and arrange the request.

We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate accessibility needs consistent with venue limitations, safety requirements, and applicable law.

31. Enforcement and Removal

The Makers Hive Market may enforce this agreement when reasonably necessary to protect:

• customers;
• vendors;
• staff;
• venue partners;
• event operations;
• property; or
• public safety.

Depending on the circumstances, enforcement may include:

• verbal instructions;
• required booth modifications;
• relocation;
• removal of unapproved merchandise;
• denial of setup;
• removal from the market; or
• exclusion from future markets.

Serious safety, legal, conduct, or compliance issues may result in immediate action without a prior warning.

Removal resulting from a vendor's violation of this agreement does not create a right to a refund or credit.

32. Chargebacks and Payment Disputes

By submitting an application that references this agreement and paying your booth fee, you acknowledge and agree to the cancellation, refund, credit, no-show, attendance, payment, and event policies contained in this agreement.

A chargeback does not override this agreement or convert an otherwise non-refundable or non-creditable booth fee into a refundable payment.

If you believe a payment was processed incorrectly, you must first contact The Makers Hive Market and provide us with a reasonable opportunity to investigate and address the issue.

If you initiate a chargeback or payment dispute relating to a valid booth fee, no-show fee, cancellation, event participation, or other amount due under this agreement, The Makers Hive Market may contest the dispute and submit documentation to the payment processor, issuing bank, card network, or other financial institution.

Evidence submitted may include, without limitation:

• your submitted application;
• the market and date for which you applied;
• the version of this Vendor Agreement you accepted;
• your electronic acceptance of these terms;
• acceptance timestamps;
• IP address and device information where available;
• invoices and payment records;
• approval and event emails;
• correspondence between you and The Makers Hive Market;
• Vendor Guidelines;
• event-specific instructions;
• cancellation records;
• check-in and attendance records;
• photographs;
• staffing records;
• evidence confirming that the event occurred; and
• any other documentation relevant to the disputed transaction.

You expressly acknowledge that dissatisfaction with the following does not, by itself, establish that the booth fee was unauthorized or that the contracted market opportunity was not provided:

• sales;
• attendance;
• foot traffic;
• booth placement;
• weather;
• event conditions;
• neighboring vendors;
• customer spending;
• marketing results; or
• your own inability or decision not to attend.

A vendor who initiates a chargeback against The Makers Hive Market may be immediately suspended from applying for or participating in future Makers Hive Markets while the dispute is pending.

If a chargeback is resolved in The Makers Hive Market's favor, or if an amount remains legitimately owed after the dispute is concluded:

• the vendor remains responsible for the unpaid balance;
• the vendor will be responsible for a $50 administrative chargeback fee to cover the administrative cost of preparing and responding to the dispute, to the extent permitted by applicable law;
• the vendor may also be responsible for reasonable collection costs or other amounts recoverable under applicable law; and
• all outstanding amounts must be paid before the vendor may apply for or participate in another Makers Hive Market.

If a vendor files repeated chargebacks, files a chargeback after receiving the contracted booth opportunity, or uses the chargeback process to attempt to circumvent the cancellation, no-refund, no-credit, no-show, or other agreed policies, The Makers Hive Market may permanently decline future applications from that vendor or business.

Nothing in this section prevents a vendor from exercising any dispute rights that cannot legally be waived.

However, exercising those rights does not prevent The Makers Hive Market from providing evidence, contesting a dispute, enforcing this agreement, collecting valid outstanding balances, or declining future business to the extent permitted by law.

33. Outstanding Balances

Any valid unpaid amounts, including the following, must be paid before a vendor may participate in another Makers Hive Market:

• booth fees;
• no-show fees;
• cleanup fees;
• damage charges;
• chargeback-related amounts;
• administrative fees; or
• other amounts due under this agreement.

The Makers Hive Market may place future applications on hold or decline future participation while an outstanding balance remains unresolved.

34. Communication

You are responsible for providing a current email address and phone number with your application and for reviewing communications sent regarding your market.

Important communications may include:

• acceptance notices;
• invoices;
• payment deadlines;
• load-in instructions;
• parking directions;
• maps;
• weather updates;
• permit requirements;
• venue rules; and
• operational changes.

Failure to read an email, text, application requirement, event instruction, or Vendor Guideline does not excuse compliance with the applicable requirement.

35. Electronic Agreement

By submitting an application that references this Vendor Agreement, you electronically accept this agreement.

Your application submission constitutes your electronic signature and agreement to be bound by these terms to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Electronic records relating to your application and acceptance may be retained, including:

• your submitted application;
• the agreement version presented to you;
• the date and time of acceptance;
• electronic acceptance records;
• IP address;
• device information; and
• related transaction records,

where such information is available through the applicable platform.

You agree that electronic acceptance has the same effect as a handwritten signature to the extent permitted by applicable law.

36. Payment Method Authorization

Where you provide a payment method to The Makers Hive Market or its payment processor and authorize that payment method to be kept on file, you authorize The Makers Hive Market to charge amounts that become due under this agreement, including applicable:

• booth fees;
• no-show fees;
• cleanup fees;
• damage-related charges; and
• other fees expressly provided for under this agreement.

If a charge cannot be processed, the amount remains due and must be paid before you may participate in another Makers Hive Market.

This section does not authorize charges prohibited by applicable law or the rules governing the applicable payment method.

37. If Part of This Agreement Is Unenforceable

If any provision of this agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect to the extent permitted by law.

A provision that is unenforceable as written should be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law where legally possible.

38. Entire Agreement for the Market

This Vendor Agreement, your submitted application, applicable Vendor Guidelines, and any written market-specific requirements provided by The Makers Hive Market constitute the agreement governing your participation in that market.

Market-specific written instructions may supplement these terms but do not waive them unless The Makers Hive Market expressly states in writing that a particular provision is being waived or modified.

39. Vendor Acknowledgment

By submitting an application that references this Vendor Agreement, you acknowledge that:

• you have had access to this Vendor Agreement;
• you have reviewed and agreed to the version referenced by your application;
• you understand that booth fees are generally non-refundable and non-creditable;
• you understand the vendor cancellation and no-show policies;
• you understand that applicable fees may become due under this agreement;
• you will notify The Makers Hive Market or event staff in advance if you cannot attend a market you have paid for; you understand that your booth fee is forfeited whether or not you notify us, that missing a market without notifying them before your scheduled load-in additionally incurs a no-show fee equal to that booth fee, charged to the payment method on file, and that repeated no-shows will result in permanent exclusion from future markets;
• you understand that attendance, foot traffic, transactions, revenue, and sales are not guaranteed;
• you agree to comply with the Vendor Guidelines and any market-specific requirements that apply to your event; and
• you are authorized to enter into this agreement on behalf of the business named in your application.

Submitting an application that references this Vendor Agreement constitutes acceptance of these terms.