06/19/2026
I’ve gone back and forth about posting this, but it needs to be said.
I know a lot of vendors stay quiet because they’re afraid of not being invited back to events—but I’ve always believed it’s better to be honest.
I love what I do. I enjoy meeting people, being part of events, and hearing how much people enjoy our donuts. But lately, I’ve been feeling unappreciated by some event coordinators.
We truly appreciate the organizers who communicate clearly, respect vendors, and treat us like part of the event. But not all do.
Vendors work long hours in the heat and cold with no guarantee of making money—sometimes not even covering costs. We’re not just “extras”… we’re a big part of what makes events successful. Imagine an event without vendors—it wouldn’t be the same.
A few things to keep in mind:
If you charge $500 fee the vendor should expect to make 10 times that amount. This is an industry norm.
Accurate attendance matters (we buy and prep based on those numbers) exaggerating numbers only puts vendors behind at the start. In this economy, we are all watching our spending. This is not a big issue for us but for those who cook food this is a big deal. They can't save cooked food it is not allowed. Exaggeration of numbers could be an end to a vendor.
Power and setup details matter
Generators cost money to run, especially when the event goes several hours. Those costs should be considered when setting the event fee. Generators aren’t always silent, we’re not there to cause problems—we’re there to run a business and serve your guests. We want to make the event good for everyone.
I’ve been doing this for 11 years. I’ve seen vendors come and go, and I’m still here, I do know what I'm talking about. Maybe you might learn something if you cared to give your ego a break and listen, vendors know their business.
At the end of the day, respect and communication go both ways. When vendors and coordinators work together, the whole event is better and the experience is better for the customer.
To the great coordinators we’ve worked with—you are truly appreciated This isn’t negativity—it’s just perspective.
