Free admission, free parking, free food sampling

"Great success! A lively and enthusiastic crowd—wall to wall people—great energy. The location was ideal. It was great!"
— David Doctorow, Whole Foods Market, Principal Sponsor

"This festival is one event we at Harvest Co-op look forward to every year, not only to introduce our stores to many new customers, but also to learn what's new in vegetarian foods. The Boston Vegetarian Society runs a great event. They do a great job of providing us with a great venue to communicate with potential customers and suppliers—and it's fun!"
— Chris Durkin, Harvest Co-op Markets, Principal Sponsor

"I didn't expect the amount of great customer feedback we got after the Festival!! Customers were coming into our store with shopping lists of foods they had tasted at the show, asking us where to find them in our store!"
— Melanie Marken, Wild Harvest, Major Sponsor

"I was looking for places to promote my product;  everywhere I asked I was told, "You've GOT to be in Boston!  It's the BEST!"  I flew from California to exhibit there, and had a fabulous experience at the Festival.  It exceeded by far even my highest expectations."
 — Kirk Hamilton, Prescription 2000, Principal Sponsor

"It was a great success for us. It was very impressive. I was thrilled by all of the help you gave us. Loved the crowd. Loved everything about it. We couldn't have been happier, and it seemed like a lovely event from the point of view of the public. I have nothing but good things to say about the event, the hard-working volunteers, and the great crowd."
— Jon Hainer, Peanut Better, Principal Sponsor

"We gave out more samples in three hours at your show than we did in three days at the Natural Products Expo East. It was a really positive experience. We got great feedback and a terrific response. We've already gotten a lot of emails about ordering from us online. We can't wait to be back next year, and we'll bring more!"
— Micheline Cummings, Moo-Cluck, Corp., Exhibitor

"The response we got was phenomenal -- we figured that we sold a unit every 3 minutes! Thanks for putting this show together."
— Therese Legere, Legere Nutritional Foods, Exhibitor

"It was a pleasure participating in the Festival this weekend. We had a wonderful time and were astounded by the attendance and energy."
— T. Hogan, Tom's of Maine, Principal Sponsor

"I'm sure you are being swamped with praise for such a successful Veg Fest this year, but Amie and I wanted to add to it a little bit.  This was our first event together ever doing baked goods for our new vegan business, and it was successful beyond our dreams.  Our success though clearly owes much to the beautifully organized festival and the kind, energetic, and very helpful volunteers.  We were not only thankful to have their assistance ourselves, but were really proud of the way they represented Boston to all of the out of town vendors--what a great impression to make.  BVS Food Fest was a phenomenal place to make our start and we deeply appreciate you having an entry cost that made it possible for us to get our foot in the door.  Thanks again and congratulations!" — Emilie Hardman, The Conscious Kitchen

"I love this show!"
— Carol Debberman, Sunshine Burger Corp., Sponsor

"Thank you to the Boston Vegetarian Society for organizing such a wonderful event. It was extremely beneficial for Satya, and we were proud to be sponsors of the festival. Even though it just ended,
we're already looking forward to being there next year!"
— Eric Weiss, Satya Magazine, Major Sponsor

"I wanted to thank you so much for putting on such a wonderful festival!  It was superbly organized, packed with a wonderful energy, and there was a real curiosity among all comers. You have by far the most exciting and vibrant conference that I go to—and I go to a LOT of conferences!!"
— Martin Rowe, Lantern Books, Sponsor

"Fantastic! The energy of the festival was really powerful—an incredible flow—so alive—I just felt the place was buzzing! A really great crowd! I sold out by 3:30! Your staff was on top of everything—this was more professionally run than a show I did at the Hynes Convention Center costing ten times as much!"
— Ann Robinson, Fresh by Nature, Exhibitor

"It was a wonderful experience being part of the BVFF this year, and I was gratified with the terrific response from the audience and pleased that the books sold well, too. I want to commend you on a great job in putting the festival together. I was totally impressed with everything and astounded at the huge crowds. Wow!"
— Robin Robertson, Chef and Cook Book Author, Speaker

"Fantastic!!! By early afternoon we were sold out and had to go back to our plant for more supplies!"
—Ademar Reis, Boston Cookies, Exhibitor

"Great! Just let us know when the next one is! Would you consider doing this Festival twice a year?"
—Eileen Moriarty, Health Trip Foods, Exhibitor

"Tiring, but fun! Felt we were really 'getting to the people'. You got the word out—turnout for the show was terrific! (as usual)"
—Mona Young, Smoke & Fire Natural Foods, Exhibitor

"Great! Excellent response."
—Lori Anderson, Annie's Homegrown, Exhibitor

"I was extremely impressed with your event and the consumer feedback we received from attendees."
—Kirstin Everard, former Manager, Event Marketing Department, Balance Bar Company

"Your Festival is a great marketing tool! This is the best way to introduce our product to consumers, and allows them a way to try many new products efficiently. We had excellent results at your event!"
—Carroll MacIntosh, Evergreen Juices, Exhibitor

"The BVFF was fabulous! The crowd was huge, and had more energy and interest than any other veg event I attended this year!"
—Joe Connelly, Editor of VegNews, Major Sponsor

"Thank you for yet another referral. At least once a week I get a call from someone we saw at the Food Fest! We have spent money in advertising in many different venues (print, web sites, etc.) equal to the amount we spent to exibit at the Boston Veg Food Festival. Nowhere else have we seen the return as we have seen from the Food Fest. We built our mailing list on that one day! Especially for a new business like ours, the ability to be seen by so many in our target market was priceless."
—Amy Mastronardi, Hippie Chick Bakery, Exhibitor

"I love this event! It's the only event that's both SMALL and LARGE...small enough to get to see everything, but large enough that it gets PACKED with attendees."
—Stacy Jill, Stacy's Pita Chip Company

"We had a wonderful time participating at this year's Festival.  Thanks for all your wonderful assistance in getting our business to blossom."  
—Darren Cohen, Big Dipper Bakery, Exhibitor

"I just want to say the Food Festival was just awesome and an obvious success.  WOW!!  I'm very happy to be a part of it and look forward to next  year.  We had a great experience."  
—Judy DelNino, Arbonne International, Exhibitor

"We come from Connecticut to attend the festival, and I put in for the day off from work ten months in advance. For my wife and I, it's our favorite day of the year! It's Christmas and both our birthdays all rolled into one!"
— Scott Walker, attendee

Thank you for the fabulous Food Festival. I have to tell you how much I appreciate the enthusiasm, the unbelievable amount of work that I know all the volunteers put in, and your support in our participation. Even the crowd was great. I never dreamed we would run out of hand-outs. I took more with me than I ever thought we'd need and watched everything disappear. I was in one of your sponsor's stores on the Sunday morning after the show, and the manager was still high. We couldn't get over what a great day it was. Needless to say, everyone in our organization is looking forward to next year.
— Sandy Glassman, Science of Spirituality, Exhibitor

"I immediately used the information I got at the Festival, and bought some great new products!"
— Lisa Kalner, attendee

"Kudos to another great food fest this past year.  You once again did a fabulous job in running the event.  We've been in New England for two years now, and really appreciate the help in finding vegan resources."
— Rich Leonard, attendee

"Thank you for letting me support and participate in BVFF. I think this is one of the best things Boston offers to the world. BVS has my undying praise for pulling this off every year."
— Charlie Behrens, BVFF Volunteer

"The Festival was absolutely amazing!  It was possibly the best festival I've ever been to.  And that includes music festivals." 
— Robert Stark, attendee

"My sister and I are from Maryland, and we attended the festival for the first time, and it was fantastic (off the chain). I learned about the festival while flying with American Airlines in their on-flight magazine.  I have been a veg*n for over 25 years, and my sister was eating poultry and fish before attending the festival.  She has now decided to follow a vegan diet.  The speakers were awesome, very informative, comical, and not the least bit boring.  I learned a lot even though I’ve been veg for a long time.  I was introduced to new products that are not yet available in this area, and I was able to get contact information for those vendors.  This is a very worthwhile event, and I’m glad I came.   Oh, and we had a ball sampling all the different foods." 
— Clarice B. Pemberton-Cook, attendee

2008 Sponsor & Exhibitor Information

Saturday, November 1, 2008
Reggie Lewis Athletic Center Directions to Festival Site
(617) 424-8846 • www.bostonveg.org/foodfest

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Dear Friends:

The 13th Annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival will be on Saturday, November 1, 2008, 10 AM - 6 PM, and we invite you to participate! Our Festival is considered one of the largest and most exciting vegetarian events in the world. In addition to magazine, newspaper, and radio publicity, our subway ads have drawn a huge crowd. Our popular event sells out of exhibitor space, so please respond early! The early registration discount applies to replies with full payment postmarked by August 8. Please be sure to read our Food Guidelines below.


The Boston Vegetarian Food Festival draws vegetarians and others who want to include more healthy foods in their diets. You can promote your business to thousands of people who want to learn about vegetarian foods and the varied products and services that support a vegetarian way of life.

The Festival features exhibitors offering free food samples and selling vegetarian products, local restaurants selling vegetarian meals, cooking demonstrations by noted chefs, non-profit educational organizations, and a children's activity area. Also, we present knowledgeable speakers on health, nutrition, and the protection of animals and the environment.

We will return to the popular Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Boston. This sparkling, state-of-the-art Center provides a large exhibitor room at street level for easy unloading. There is great public access, with free parking for exhibitors and attendees, and a bus and subway stop across the street. Admission to the Festival is free to the public.

The Festival is organized by the Boston Vegetarian Society, a non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to education about the benefits of a vegetarian way of life. All of the Festival organizers donate their time and talents, a factor in keeping our exhibitor fees low.

We hope that you will share in the success of this Festival, which has become a valued New England institution.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 617-424-8846.

Evelyn Kimber
Chair, Organizing Committee
Boston Vegetarian Food Festival


Sponsor and Exhibitor Categories

Please note discounts for payments postmarked by 8/08/08.

Principal Sponsor

$1,200 ($1,000 if reply form with full payment is postmarked by 8/01/08 - early for subway ads.  Please call us right away to let us know so we can plan for your logo in the designing of our subway ads.

  • Your logo on our subway ads (200 ads for 5+ weeks!)
  • Your logo on the front cover of the Festival program/recipe booklet, which will be given free to attendees upon entering
  • Exhibit space of up to a 12' table, with prime placement, and two chairs
  • Free double-size (2 x business card size) ad in the Festival program/recipe booklet
  • Your logo displayed in all of our print publicity (flyers, color posters, leaflets), except in other sponsors' business locations
  • Prominent link with your logo from the Festival web site
  • Free electrical hook-ups up to 3,000 W. Call if more is needed
  • Wall or goal post behind your table provided for your banner
  • Includes Boston Temporary Food Permit, if required
  • Please read Exhibitor section for further details.


Major Sponsor

$650 ($550 if reply form with full payment is postmarked by 8/08/08)

  • Your logo as a Major Sponsor in the Festival program/recipe booklet, which will be given free to attendees upon entering
  • Exhibit space of up to two six-foot tables (12') and two chairs
  • Free business card size ad in the program/recipe booklet
  • Listed in our print publicity (flyers, color posters, leaflets)
  • Prominent link with your logo from the Festival web site
  • Free electrical hook-ups up to 3,000 W. Call if more is needed
  • Wall or goal post behind your table provided for your banner
  • Includes Boston Temporary Food Permit, if required
  • Please read Exhibitor section for further details.


Sponsor

$400  ($350 if reply form with full payment is postmarked by 8/08/08)

  • Listed as a Sponsor in the Festival program/recipe booklet, which will be given free to attendees upon entering
  • Exhibit space of up to two six-foot tables (12') and two chairs
  • Free business card size ad in the program/recipe booklet
  • Link with your logo from the Festival web site
  • Wall or goal post behind your table provided for your banner
  • Electrical hook-ups as available for $15 up to 500 Watts, $30 up to 1500 W, $60 up to 3000 W. Call us if wattage needs are over 3,000 W
  • For food exhibitors, a City of Boston Temporary Food Permit ($30 - not included) is required. We will help to obtain this.
  • Please read Exhibitor section for further details.


Exhibitor

$250  ($200 if reply form with full payment is postmarked by 8/08/08)

  • Listed as an Exhibitor on Festival website and in the Festival program/recipe booklet, which will be given free to attendees upon entering
  • Exhibit space of one eight-foot table and two chairs
  • Vendors of food items are encouraged to offer free food samples to attendees
  • Vendors may also offer their products for sale. A "show special" discounted price is recommended
  • Electrical hook-ups as available for $15 up to 500 Watts, $30 up to 1500 W, $60 up to 3000 W. Call us if wattage needs are over 3,000 W. Electricity in excess of what is ordered will not be available.
  • For food exhibitors, a City of Boston Temporary Food Permit ($30 - not included) is required. We will help to obtain this. Print out form using the link below.  
  • In the event that you would like to exhibit but cannot attend, we can refer you to professional marketing services to make arrangements, which can range from literature distribution to food preparation and sampling.
  • Please read Exhibitor Information and Regulations Governing Exhibitors. Exhibiting at our Festival is an agreement to these regulations.


Restaurant

$250  ($200 if reply form with full payment is postmarked by 8/08/08)

Local vegetarian and "vegetarian friendly" restaurants are invited to introduce themselves to attendees by selling food. It is recommended to offer taster size portions for sale, as attendees typically like to try a variety of foods.

  • Listed as Exhibitor on website and in Festival program/recipe booklet, which will be given free to attendees upon entering
  • Exhibit space of one eight-foot table and two chairs
  • Electrical hook-ups as available for $15 up to 500 Watts, $30 up to 1500 W, $60 up to 3000 W. Call us if wattage needs are over 3,000 W
  • A City of Boston Temporary Food Permit ($30 - not included) is required. We will help to obtain this. Print out form using the link below.
  • Please read Exhibitor section for further details.


"Cottage Business"

  • Please contact us to inquire about a limited number of reduced-fee 6' tables for very small vendors & non-profits.


Advertiser

  • A business card size ad in the Festival program/recipe booklet may be purchased for $50, double-sized ad for $100 - on a space available basis


Product Samples

  • Please contact us to discuss other options for participation, such as distribution of product samples.

 

Food and Non-food Guidelines

Food Guidelines: All products must be dairy-free and egg-free vegetarian.  This means no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, animal parts, or byproducts.  This also means no meat derivatives such as broth, gelatin, rennet, lard, tallow, and no dairy derivatives such as whey or casein.  Any food items that do not adhere to these guidelines will be removed from display, sale, and sampling.  Ingredients should be listed on the package or on the display.  Foods without artificial additives are most desirable.  See below for guidelines on printed materials.

Non-food Guidelines: All non-food items must not have been tested on animals, and must be free of leather, fur, wool, gelatin and any animal slaughter derivatives or animal products.

Printed Materials:  Printed materials including displays, handouts, and recipes, may not promote foods or products that are non-vegetarian.  Dairy and egg ingredients in printed materials are acceptable.  Cookbooks offered for sale must be dairy-free and egg-free (preferred) or suggest dairy and egg alternatives.

Note: The Boston Vegetarian Food Festival reserves the right to decline any application at our discretion.

Exhibitor Information and Regulations Governing Exhibitors

Please read our Festival information and regulations sheets.  Exhibiting at our Festival is an agreement to these regulations.

Exhibitor Information and Regulations Governing Exhibitors (PDF)*

Application Form and Food Permit

Please fill out the Application Form (PDF)* and return it with your check to reserve a space. If you do not now know the details of what you will bring or what your electrical needs will be, keep a photocopy of the application, then send it in later with the details completed.

If you are selling or sampling food, also fill out and return the City of Boston Temporary Food Permit (PDF).* The city charges $30 for this permit; please add this amount to your check. We will get the permit for you and have it on site.

Please mail the above two forms with a check (US currency only) for all amounts due, made payable to the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival, to:

Boston Vegetarian Food Festival
24 Dartmouth Street
Boston, MA 02116

Please note: The Festival site is the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Boston.

* If you have trouble opening PDFs, you may need to install the free Acrobat Reader on your computer.