Menu
PRIVATE MSOS VENDOR INFORMATION AND SHOW DETAILS
Here you will find important details regarding the upcoming Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show.
Note that you cannot access this page from the main public menu of the Outdoorsman Show website. Bookmark this page to return easily, or manually type the address in your browser window (matsuoutdoorsmanshow.com/vendorstuff/), or click the link you received by email.
Check back often, as show details and information will be updated as we get closer to the show dates.
Wasilla Business License
Because the Menard Center is owned by the City of Wasilla and is located within the city boundaries, all vendors are required to have a Wasilla Business License in order to participate in the show. For those of you who do not regularly do business in Wasilla, the city offers a temporary 7-day Special Event License. Details are at https://www.cityofwasilla.com/business/business-licensing-sales-tax-information. Stay ahead of the curve and make sure your business license is up to date prior to the show. Wasilla officials will be checking and cross referencing the vendor list for compliance, and they will not allow you to set up at the show if not properly licensed. Contact the Wasilla business licensing department at 907-373-9080 if you have questions!
Drawings and Raffles
Don’t underestimate the value of giving away free stuff at your booth! Many vendors like to have visitors drop names, phone numbers, and email addresses in a bucket for a chance to win something. Of course, this provides you with customer contact information to use for your own marketing, and it helps raise public awareness of your business, products, and services. And people love to win free stuff!
New this year, we will be announcing door prize winners of vendor-donated items during the show, one drawing each hour. (Limited to 18 drawings total over the course of the weekend).
MATSU Events would love to partner 50/50 with you to help offset the cost of your donation! For example, if you wish to donate an item with a RETAIL value of $300, (could be a gift certificate, adventure trip, lodging, sports gear… or whatever), we will pay you half of that amount — $150, either credited towards your booth fee, or back to you in cash. The maximum amount we will cover towards any single donation is $250. Call or email to discuss.
Raffles (where you sell a limited number of numbered tickets for a chance to win) are also encouraged, but keep in mind that you must have the appropriate State gaming license to sell raffle tickets.
Seminars
There are two classrooms available at the Menard Center throughout the show for your use if you wish to present a seminar or class away from the noise and commotion on the display floor. Rooms include an LCD projector and seating for 25-30 people. Time slots are still available, first come first serve.
Go to https://matsuoutdoorsmanshow.com/vendor_seminar/ to reserve one of the rooms. Sign up sooner rather than later, as we would like to begin promoting your seminar to the public well in advance of the show. March 10th is the deadline to get your seminar times published in the Show Guide.
Extra Booth Items
Do you need extra items such as tables, chairs, table linen or skirting, stands, plants, or other furnishings for your booth? Well don’t worry, because we have you covered! Special Events Alaska has been selected as the show service contractor for the 2023 Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show.
Note that your vendor booth consists of a 10’ x 10’ pipe and drape display area, with an 8’ high back drape and 3’ side drapes. Please note that the exhibit space is not carpeted and does not include tables or chairs.
Should you wish to rent additional items such as tables, table linen or skirting, chairs, or other items, please refer to this Special Events Order Form or contact Special Events directly at 907-357-7375.
Vendor Break Room
The Vendor Break Room will, of course, be open to you and your staff throughout the show. This room will also serve as the Outdoorsman Show management office. Located down the hall next to the seminar rooms, consider it your private sanctuary if you need a break to sit down, eat your lunch, or just get away from all the commotion out on the display floor. Complimentary coffee, soda, and snacks will be available.
Vendor Dinner
You and your staff working the show are cordially invited to the Vendor Dinner, held Saturday evening after the doors close to the public. Dinner will be a TACO BAR BUFFET, along with a selection of sodas and adult beverages. This is your chance to relax after a long day on the floor, to kick back, and to get to know some of your fellow vendors.
And of course, there will be the highly anticipated donation drawing. You are invited to donate an item, big or small, to be given away to one of your lucky fellow vendors during the dinner. Your donated item can be dropped off with staff manning the Vendor Break Room any time on Friday or Saturday. No donation? No problem!, so don’t feel any pressure. Come enjoy the dinner anyway!
Advertising
Radio advertising will be happening on KOOL97.3, Classic Country 100.9, KBEAR 104.1, MIX 103.1, KWHL, KFQD, BOB 92.1, Q99.7, 96.3 The Moose, and 95.5 The Pass. We will also have 30-second TV spots on the local ABC and FOX broadcast television stations. The People’s Paper and Make A Scene Magazine is printing the official multi-page Outdoorsman Show vendor guide and schedule. 12,000 copies are being included as an insert in the edition to be distributed to over 200 public locations throughout the valley two weeks before the show. The guide will also be provided to show visitors as they arrive. The People’s Paper is offering great advertising rates for vendors if you wish to have a display ad included in the guide. With a paid print ad, you also get free radio advertising on 95.5 The Pass. Contact Bryce at 373-2698 to get hooked up.
Posters
The11x17 posters have arrived and are going up on bulletin boards and store windows all over southcentral. Let us know if you would like any of these posters to hang up at your place of business, or if you would like to help distribute them throughout the community.
Social Media
We have been placing regular posts and announcements on the MATSU Events Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/matsueventsllc) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/matsuevents/) pages, highlighting individual show vendors. Between now and the show, these posts are being boosted on Facebook and Instagram to a targeted audience throughout the valley and Anchorage. In the past, we have found this type of social media advertising to be a very effective use of our marketing budget to attract more visitors to the show.
Fire Safety
We have been having ongoing discussions with the Borough Fire Marshall. Please make note of the following safety requirement changes:
Fire extinguishers are NO LONGER REQUIRED for individual booths, as you have access to fire extinguishers already provided throughout both the ice rink and the turf field. When you arrive for setup, make sure you familiarize yourself with the locations of these extinguishers.
Covered booths ARE allowed. For example, some vendors may wish to use a pop-up canopy that contains their name, logo, or advertising as a part of their booth display. The only requirement if you have a covering over your booth area (that could obstruct overhead sprinklers) is that you ARE REQUIRED to have a fire extinguisher at your booth with a minimum rating of 2A:10B:C and with current inspection date.
Onsite Financing
We are happy to welcome Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union to the Outdoorsman Show. For those of you selling big ticket items, these folks will be there to offer your customers on-the-spot financing. You can find MVFCU in spaces G8 & G9 in the ice rink.
Vehicle Displays
If you are planning to display any type of motorized vehicle inside the Menard Center, please contact us regarding Menard vehicle display requirements.
Vendor Setup Schedule
Vendor booth setup will begin early afternoon on Thursday, March 23rd. Booths must be set up, staffed, and ready to go by the show opening at noon on Friday. The setup schedule details will be available the week prior to the show.
