Spring Seasonings Exhibitor Information

What you provide:

• Approx 300 sample sized portions of one signature menu offering (there will be a TON of food/drink in the room so we encourage you to select just ONE or TWO featured items and keep portion sizes small – 2 bites or 2 sips)
• All serving utensils, hot/cold holding equipment (ice buckets, thermometer, gloves, cambros, prep equipment)
• Staffing for your booth the day of the event (we recommend at least 2 representatives from your establishment.  If you are concerned about staffing, please reach out.)

What we provide:

• A hungry audience of 500+ business and civic leaders, residents and foodies.
• Extensive online marketing benefits featuring your establishment both before-during-and after the event
• Table and tablecloth (black skirted linen)
• Sign featuring your business name, location, website and/or social
• Small plates, napkins, forks, spoons and/or tasting cups
• Access to ice, sanitizer and handwashing stations
• Small prep area
• Access to electricity upon request (very limited access. MUST be requested in advanced)
• Completion of temp. event licensing and permit application with the City of Newton

• We’ll be marketing the event through email, print, social media and on the chamber’s website to generate buzz, sell tickets and promote your restaurant to the public. We’ll announce all participating exhibitors in advance of the event and send out a marketing kit for you to use to highlight your participation with your followers.
• Day of - We encourage you to bring décor, marketing materials and signage to decorate your booth space and re-create the ambiance of your establishment.
• Our event website and digital brochure will be resource to feature all of our participating restaurants before and after the event. We’ll you help build out a featured profile to feature menus, corporate catering options, private function/dining space and share photos to make it easy for attendees to find you post-event.

How many attendees do you expect and who typically attends the event?

We expect 500+ attendees throughout the course of the evening. It’s typically employees of local businesses, business owners, local political leaders, residents and foodies. This is the first Spring Seasonings since our chamber’s expansion from Newton and Needham into Watertown and Wellesley so we’re thrilled to welcome both attendees and restaurants/caterers/beverage shops from all four chamber communities as well as neighboring towns.

This is a business-heavy crowd to if you are seeking corporate catering business or private function rentals – we definitely encourage you to feature menu items/marketing materials geared towards this audience.

Can I cook my items on site?

We encourage you to fully prep items off-site and only bring what you need to hold hot/cold, and plate your items. However, if you are envisioning live cooking, let us know what you are thinking so we can make sure your booth is positioned appropriately (i.e. not under a smoke detector) and run it by the team at the Marriott to make sure it will work.  Avoid cooking methods that release grease laden smoke.  Kitchen facilities are not available at the hotel.

What will I have for a booth space?

Each exhibitor will have a 6ft table (with black skirted linen), and sign showcasing your name, location and website.  You’ll also have a small prep area behind your table. We’ll provide napkins, your choice of bowls, small plates or tasting cups. You are welcome (but not required) to bring décor, menus and other display items to recreate the ambiance of your establishment.

300-400 portions sounds like a lot – I’m not sure I can handle food cost/prep for this crowd. What are my options?

Please reach out to us to discuss ways we can help support your restaurant’s participation. From shared booth space with fewer portions to on-site volunteer support we can brainstorm solutions to help make the experience both feasible and valuable.

I want to participate but am concerned about staffing, what should I do?

We do require at least one person in charge be present from each exhibitor for the duration of the event. However, we can support you by helping to find volunteers to assist with unloading, set up and/or serving during the event. Just let us know if you think you might need extra help.

When does set up open day of? What time do I need to be ready?

Set up opens at 3 p.m. and we ask all participants to be ready to go for 5p.m. If you are planning to bring hot food close to the start time, we encourage you to come earlier in the day to unload and set up any décor or non-food items to expedite last-minute rush (you won’t be the only one trying to squeeze in last-minute!)

I’m not currently a chamber member, can I still participate?

We do require that all participants be members of the chamber but if you are not currently a member just let us know on the application and we’ll follow up with an invoice so you can easily get set up. Beyond Spring Seasonings, year round membership benefits include participation in the chamber’s dining collaborative, access to business support resources, marketing benefits, event hosting opportunities, local advocacy/community support – and so much more. Annual fees are $325 (single location/local owned) or $345 (all other restaurant groups, franchises). If you are concerned about the financial contribution, please let us know and we can discuss payment options.