How to Pitch a Craft Show to Your Town Council

Why the Council Pitch Matters

Getting town council approval—or even just a supportive resolution—can unlock public space permits, marketing co-investment, and credibility with sponsors. The pitch is worth doing well.

Step 1: Lead with Economic Data

Open your presentation with numbers, not enthusiasm. Council members respond to economic impact:

• Comparable event data: Find a craft show of similar size in a comparable town and cite their attendance and estimated vendor sales.
• The multiplier: Explain the local multiplier effect: money spent at locally owned businesses tends to recirculate locally more than money spent at chains. If you cite specific figures, use a published study and name it. For background, see how craft shows boost small-town economies.
• Lodging and restaurant lift: If your town has lodging, note that a 50-vendor show drawing 1,500 attendees means hundreds of people who will eat, drink, and potentially stay overnight.

Step 2: Structure Your Slide Deck

A five-slide deck is sufficient for a council agenda item:

1. Event overview: What it is, who organizes it, proposed date and location.
2. Economic impact projection: Attendance estimate, vendor sales estimate, adjacent business lift.
3. Community benefit: Who the proceeds benefit, how the event aligns with the town's strategic plan.
4. Logistics summary: Traffic, parking, cleanup plan, insurance.
5. The ask: Specific request (permit fee waiver, in-kind services, a letter of support, a budget line item).

Keep the deck clean. Council members often have many agenda items and little time for each one.

Step 3: Address Common Objections Proactively

"Will this hurt our downtown retailers?" Explain retail spillover: show-day foot traffic can help, not hurt, adjacent businesses. Offer to name three retailers you have already spoken with who support the event.

"What about traffic and parking?" Bring a map. Show the proposed event footprint, parking overflow plan, and any pedestrian crossing improvements.

"What happens if it rains?" Describe your rain contingency: partial indoor option, postponement policy, vendor communication plan.

"Who is liable?" Confirm your organization carries general liability insurance and name the municipality as an additional insured.

Step 4: Ask for a Specific Vote

Do not leave the council presentation open-ended. Make a specific request:

• "We are asking for approval to use [Civic Square] on [date] with a waived special-event permit fee."
• Or: "We are asking for a letter of support to attach to our tourism grant application."

A specific ask produces a specific vote. An open-ended pitch can end in a referral to committee and a long delay.

Step 5: Follow Up in Writing

Within 48 hours, send the mayor and each council member a one-page summary of your proposal and the economic data. Include your contact information and a clear next step. A professional follow-up helps council members remember your proposal, and you, when you return next year with a larger request.