INITIAL MILE

What was the best and worst part of your experience as a vendor?

• Getting to watch the event from my booth.

• Not enough foot traffic

• Weather was nice! I would not say worst but the workout. If we could unload in the field then go park.

• Both of our booth locations were excellent. The worst was the last hour and a half where it got really warm outside and then the wind picked up.

• There were not much people that stayed throughout the whole event but I do understand because it is a hot day.

• Best part was connecting with customers and meeting new vendor friends. Additionally, the staff and volunteers were the best and made sure to check up on us to see if we needed anything. Everyone was so nice and helpful! Worst part was that there were more vendors than customers and the microphone sound system had so much static.

• Best was talking with the booths around me. Worst was so many families walking by without even glancing in my direction

• The best part was seeing the runners finishing their run while setting up. Staff were extremely helpful and I do love them checking in every now and then.

• Worst part, it was a slow event. Best, staff was really nice and constantly came by the booth to check up on us. Even gave us snacks. They were very welcoming.

• People were willing to try flavors they were unfamiliar with! Everyone was friendly! Worst part was it got hot but that’s outside anyone’s control!

• Worst is tariff best is staff and beautiful event and activities

• I answered "No" for the "break even" question because Initial Mile invited me and offered to waive my vendor fee. Very grateful and humbled for that offer. I was also paid for services to help with the event. However, I made enough sales to make up the vendor fee, had I paid the vendor fee. There was no "worse part of your experience" for me :) All-in-all it was great. However, I could see how some vendors may have been surprised or disappointed in the low numbers of attendees who were there for the Anime Fan Fest only. The Fitness Fest had a terrific turnout! I think assessing and improving how to attract and invite more Anime fans would be a great goal for the next one! But otherwise, like I already mentioned, good experience and fun to be a part of the inagural event. Very humbled and honored to have been asked to attend as a vendor, but even more so to be asked to help with the art and design.

• Not many attendees

• The best part was the way it was set up, the information was given at perfect times and was extremely clear which was super helpful in being able to prepare ahead of time. The worst part was just not being able to make virtually any sales.

• Connected with many local vendors!

• Best- was able to sell out of a few stickers, music was great, toilets were well maintained. Worst- heat and not enough water being sold.

• I think the event had a great turn out for it being the first year of the event - I don't think there was a worst part.

• Bringing in inventory across the field, with the holes in grass bent two of the wheels on my cart.

• Best the weather was good and relaxing, the worst maneuvering through the fields.

• Foot traffic was slow. While I did make sales and my vendor fee most customers that came and purchased from me had no idea the event was happening and voiced poor advertisement for the event. They only knew of it because they drove by and stopped. I really enjoyed myself and seeing those compete and wear their anime outfits.

• Best experience ~ chatting with new and old vendors. worst experience ~ maybe to display my product better.

• Best part was all staff was willing to help, lots of vendors, good attitude from all participants, the bad was no to much people at the event.

• Just not a lot of traffic. I always love meeting other vendors and attendees. I believe the event went smoothly.

• I did not like having to walk so far to unload my vehicle as I am disabled and it took forever and also how slow the event was and there were 6 same kind of vendors as myself. Best part was meeting new people and the dj played the best music.

• Dragging stuff through the grass and breaking down dragging stuff through the grass.

• Best - staff seemed to care about the vendors. that was appreciated! Worst - The event didn't seem to be aligned with the kind of people it was trying to attract vs. the vendors it was choosing vs. the atmosphere it did put off. The event was supposed to be anime themed - however, the dj rarely even played music that would align with anime culture (only few and far between), the crowd was mainly composed of locals who were mostly focused on the run or fitness aspect of the event and didn't care for the vendor aspect of the festival, the crowd was sparse to begin with, and the vendor choice seemed to try in part(?) to bring on board artists you'd see in an artist alley, but dropping them in an event and location that doesn't care for those kinds of goods at all. If I got sales, they were either from other artists or for my items that were barely anime related at all.

• So slow. No one seemed to buy anything but food

• Best- meeting new people and exchanging info/ideas worst- heat and little traffic

• Best part was that I really the vibes of the event. Staff was very welcoming and helpful and provided water and snacks to vendors so I really appreciated that. Worst part was definitely the foot traffic. Not a lot of people walking around in the afternoon.

• While having a corner is always great, there was just not a lot of people in attendance. Despite that though, I did really well sales wise. The other vendors where/are amazing!

• Best part was connecting with other vendors and dancing along to the music with my daughter, although the music was pretty loud where we were located.

• N/A. We were pleased with the turn out. We didn't sell anything it was more advertisement and to answer any questions, so the question below does not pertain to us.

• OK, so let me be clear that I did well on the day. It wasn't my best sales experience but was nowhere near my worst. I expected greater foot traffic from non-runners, however the park the event was held in was definitely a destination park. Having said that, I easily broke even, and also sold a solid amount of books. I won't be returning next year, though, and it's only because I live in Stockton and the trip in is just a little too long for a stay-at-home dad. That doesn't mean I'm unhappy with the experience. Far from it. Compared to similar events, I think you guys did an AMAZING job with your communications, the parking and directions were extremely clear, and the events/races were very cool. I think this event has a future and I wish you all the best. If I was just a bit closer I'd buy next year's booth right now.

• Best part was the community! People were happy to be outside and even if I didn’t made a LOT of sales the QUALITY of the customer interactions were amazing. Worst part would be the music (it wasn’t that bad but it could’ve been better) because I heard a few songs repeated and I feel like the vibes were all over the place sometimes with Rock, Latin, Anime, Pop. I liked the pop music and would’ve liked to hear more anime music! Less of the other stuff randomly thrown in haha.

• The best part was the communication we have with the staff, and all the games, the atmosphere was great, with all the anime custom, the music. the only bag thing was, in the event we wanted to participate in the race and we don't can pay with cash the registration, the only option we have is made online with the QR code , and I know today almost everybody we have card and cell phones. But sometimes we only carry cash. So it would be great to be able to do last minute check-in that way, Just the last thing I want to say is thank you for everything and congratulation for the amazing event you organized. See you next year.

• I loved connecting with fans and other artists/vendors through my booth! The staff were also incredibly nice and helpful!! I was a bit close to the music so at times it was hard to talk to others/understand them. I still loved the music, but it would be nice if it was slightly more separated from the vendors