Your Frequently Asked Questions about the Vendor Application Process
How are vendors and artists selected?
We want to make this the best nerd market we possibly can! With that being said, we only have a limited amount of space, and there’s a lot of great people to choose from!
We are selecting vendors based on the following factors
- Residence (Duval/Jacksonville get first priority)
- Product quality
- Character (are you a “Good” person/business? Do you contribute to your community? That goes pretty far with us 💓)
- AI: If you’re selling AI produced work, sorry, we’re not a fit.
- Photos provided
- Artistic Ownership: If ur selling other artists goods, your chances of getting in are kinda low. Like, if ur hiring artists on fiverr to make posters or shirts for you… ur chances are REALLY slim.
- Uniqueness
- Online presence and activity
- Attitude (we want to work with people who have a great attitude!)
- Booth Display
- Communication skills
- Engagement with customers in person and online
- How well you promote your products and other events online
Is there an application fee?
Nope. This is volunteer and community driven, so we just put the time in out of our commitment to the community.
What do I have to contribute?
This market is all about community. We ask that every approved vendor donate an item or package of what they do/sell, that is valued at $30 or more. These items are then used to promote the event and and incentivize attendees to visit more vendors, essentially lifting ALL the vendors and the community.
Is there a fee to setup if the application is approved?
There is a $50 REFUNDABLE deposit, per table (which are provided by us), per day. Tables are provided, but feel free to bring your own :).
Within 7-10 business day of the event’s completion, vendors are privately offered the option to donate a portion of their fees to keep GAAM Good going, or a FULL REFUND. It’s up to you.
When is the application deadline?
Please try to get in your application before October 1st. We’re getting a lot of applications, so the sooner the better. We’re trying to confirm everybody the week of October 5th. #fingersCrossed
Is there rolling approval?
For the most part, no. With this going to 2 days, and with the idea being some vendors will only be there for 1 (as the 2nd day will have more activities), we want to try to be as accommodating as possible to people coming in from out of town (for example, if somebody wants to do 1 day and is out of town, we want to help them get back home that day and not have to incur additional costs staying overnight, unless you WANT to stay ).
Additionally we want to minimize the need for anybody to have to set up and breakdown multiple times.
We’re planning on sending out confirmations and approvals the week of October 5th, to give the vendors and the logistics team time to plan, and present the attendees with a cohesive vision.
When is the Vendor confirmation deadline?
Approved Vendors must confirm and pay by October 31st. You should have the payment link in your email.
If payment has not been made by midnight of October 31st, it will be understood as you releasing your space, and we will proceed to go through the waiting list to fill the spot.
Instructions regarding payment were also sent to your email with the subject “You’ve been approved for the 2025 Holiday Nerd Market!”.
If you can’t make it, please let us know in advance. We would much rather hear it from you, than have to scramble.
Do you send out waiting list and rejection emails?
We only send out communications to vendors that are accepted. We’re not staffed for maintaining waiting lists and rejection lists, and the subsequent communications that would accompany that (we’re all volunteering and have day jobs, sorry 😅). We use those resources towards making the event better and to make it free for the vendors.
If we started charging the vendors, or charging vendor application fees, we could do it… but I don’t think anybody wants that.
If we achieve the needed level of funding in the future, that’s something we plan on incorporating, but right now, it’s a nope.
Where is Aloft?
Aloft at Tapestry Park is located at 4812 W Deer Lake Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32246 (it’s pretty close to Tinseltown and right off Gate Parkway).
You can book a room there at https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jaxtl-aloft-jacksonville-tapestry-park/.
What size are the tables?
Tables are 5 feet by 30 inches. (Thanks to the 2025 vendors for making us update this!)
What if I need a 6ft table instead of a 5ft table?
If you need a 6ft table/more space, you’ll have to pay for 2+ 5ft tables.
What if I have more questions Vendor related questions about the event?
Check out the Vendor Event FAQ. That was an easy one.
What’s the Vendor Code of Conduct?
The same rules that apply to attendees, also apply to vendors as seen here.
Additionally, theft of others work, drunkenness, inappropriate behavior to other vendors, attendees, the GAAM team, or venue staff will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal of the event, or revocation of Vendor Approval.
You will be granted a refund at that point at the discretion of the vendor managers. They will evaluate your actions, and the time and effort associated with dealing with the situation in making a determination of a refund.
Just be a decent human being, and everything will be ok. Don’t be a good person, and that’s grounds to not be a part of the event.
