BE A VENDOR AT MY PEOPLE’S MARKET
My People’s Market is designed and supported by Travel Portland and Prosper Portland. The market grew from the desire to create pathways for entrepreneurs of color to connect with the travel industry and new market opportunities. After several smaller events, the need became clear for a larger market that celebrates businesses, community, and culture. My People’s Market is the marketplace re-imagined—a gathering of Portland’s diverse and vibrant entrepreneurs, makers, artists, culinary wizards, and beverage crafters.
MPM 14 Vendor Applications
Open: Monday, March 4
Close: Monday, March 18 @ 5:00 PM
It is free to apply. If you are selected, you will be notified by Friday, March 22. Registration for the market is $30.00 - $50.00
We recommend that you join Mercatus before applications open so that you have access to early application notifications. If you are not a member, you can join for free at www.MercatusPDX.com
A note for past participants:
This is a different process than the team has used in the past. Due to overwhelming interest from businesses that want to participate in the market, the team has realized that a first-come, first-served model no longer serves our market vendor community.
How it works:
My People’s Market is a curated experience. This means that the My People’s Market team will select vendors to participate in the market according to priorities identified by the advisory board.
How does the selection process work?
Interested businesses apply within the application window (about 2 weeks).
Complete and eligible applications are scored and sorted based on business category (see the category list below).
Top-scoring applications are moved to the lottery.
10-20 businesses from each category are selected via lottery to participate in the market.
-
Personal care: Hair care, skin care, body care, herbal medicines, tinctures, tonics
Clothing
Fashion accessories: jewelry, handbags, shoes, wallets, belts
Home goods: candles, rugs, hanging art, pottery, plants, incense, sculptures, musical instruments, stationery
Packaged Foods: Beverages, pantry, snacks, sauces
Packaged Foods: Sweet treats / Baked goods
Food Truck, Food Stall prepared to eat on site
What are the selection priorities for participating in My People’s Market?
REQUIRED - Your business must comply with State registration requirements
You sell a product that is locally made, designed, or hand-altered
Your business is located in Portland
Your business has a digital presence. This could be social media or a website.
This market prioritizes vendor opportunities for business owners business owners from underrepresented communities. “Underrepresented communities” are places that once lacked and/or currently lack equitable access to infrastructure, are disproportionately burdened by environmental contamination, or lack adequate housing choices.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the criteria for participating?
To be eligible for My People’s Market, your business must comply with Oregon Secretary of State registration requirements. If you conduct business under a name other than your own real name then you must be registered with the Oregon Secretary of State.
Sole proprietors don't have to be registered with the State of Oregon unless they are using an assumed business name or a fictitious name. If the name of the business includes the "real and true" name of each owner, there is no requirement to register an assumed business name with our office. ORS 648.005(6) "Real and true name" means:
The surname of an individual coupled with a combination of the individual's given names or initials; for example, the following sole proprietor business names would not need to register with the state office:
Jane Ann Doe Glass Cleaning
Jane A Doe Glass Cleaning
J Ann Doe Glass Cleaning
J A Doe Glass Cleaning
REFERENCE: sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/doing-business-means.aspx
The market was founded to support businesses owned by people of color in the Portland Metro area and companies with locally made or hand-altered products. There are restrictions on imported goods and multi-level marketing companies. My People’s Market partners with Mercatus so vendors can access business resources and support before, after, and during the market.
How do I become a vendor?
Interested businesses must apply within the application window (about two weeks). Complete and eligible applications are scored and sorted based on business category (see the category list below). Top-scoring applications are moved to the lottery, and 10-20 businesses from each category are selected via lottery to participate in the market.
Get early access to the application information by becoming a Mercatus Member.
Food vendor requirements?
Food vendors must carry event insurance and all relevant licensing and permits—for example, temporary restaurant permits, food handlers, OLCC licenses, etc.
What is the fee to participate?
Vendor fees are $50 for a table and a standard stall. For an additional cost, vendors can opt for larger stalls when space allows. The vendor fee includes a table, chair, and an 8ft x 8ft vendor stall. Other amenities vary for each market. There is no extra cost to vend multiple days.
Do I have to vend all days?
Yes.
How many visitors attend the market?
The market draws 3,000 - 5,000 people per day.
What are the cancellation and no-show policies?
My People’s Market is a high-demand event, and often, there is a long waitlist for others to participate. The MPM team does its best to accommodate as many businesses as possible, and the team can often fill a booth if they have been notified.
If your stall is not set and ready when the market opens, AND we have not received notice from you, the My People’s Market team may offer your stall to another business, and you will forfeit your vendor fee. In addition, if you no-show, you may also be disqualified from future markets.
Refund policy
Refunds are available with 24-hour notice. In case of an emergency, please let the MPM team know so they can accommodate you as best as possible. If you do not give notice, you forfeit your vendor fee.
Are vendors required to vend the whole day?
Vendors are expected to stay the entire duration of each day they participate. If a vendor does leave early without prior arrangements with the vendor manager, they may be excluded from future events.