TORI NORDIC FAIR (marketplace) – FREE TO THE PUBLIC
FinnFest 2025 welcomes all vendors interested in presenting Nordic-related ideas, services, and products to the general public. Businesses, community organizations and individuals are welcomed and encouraged. Both profit and non-profit institutions as well as individual entrepreneurs and artists will feel comfortable in the non-political, non-confrontational, and family-friendly atmosphere of the Tori (Finnish word for marketplace). This year Tori Nordic Fair will be free and open to the public.
Don’t think you’re nordic enough?
Vendors may include those that provide services or products related to the annual themes of FinnFest. We want to encourage as many vendors as possible to partake in the Tori Nordi Fair, so please do not hesitate to reach out to see if there is a place for your business or organization.
Booth sizes and prices enable a cross-section of interested vendors to apply. Small and large businesses will find the tori creates a unique opportunity to present their businesses to the public, to develop new clients and to sell products and services. The festival encourages organizations to rent a booth to provide information and exchange ideas with the public. Individuals may wish to demonstrate traditional Nordic crafts, to have items on display and to sell examples of their work. Some may wish to sell a book, a handmade object or a service. All will find a warm welcome.
General Information
It’s more than just a marketplace!
Be a part of the lively festival marketplace atmosphere with shopping, food, coffee, live music, demonstrations and information booths. The Tori Nordic Fair will be located in Pioneer Hall, a 48,256 square foot space located on the first floor of the DECC (Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Corporations who wish to create their own spaces can be accommodated in the Edmund Fitzgerald room, a separate space adjacent to Pioneer Hall. This space will accommodate business presentations and discussion. Space costs for the Edmund Fitzgerald space will be negotiated with the tori manager.
The south section of the tori will include a café and a stage with live entertainment. The 2025 Tori Nordic Fair will have entertainment, food, and vendors all back in the same space and will be free and open to the public.
Criteria for Participation
The FinnFest Tori forms a marketplace built exclusively around products, services, and information reflecting the values and concerns of the Nordic countries and Nordic America with a special emphasis on Finland and Finnish America. Vendors are vetted based upon these values and concerns.
Nordic values of equality define the tori. Tori vendors include small and large businesses, professionals and amateurs, artists and crafters, for-profit and not-for-profit. The entire tori connects the tori attendees to a Nordic dialogue, including the principle of equality.
Products can be mass-produced or hand-crafted. Vetting will involve concern that the products meet Nordic standards regarding:
- Design
- Aesthetics
- Quality of materials
- Respect for the Environment
- Concern for Labor conditions
Food products are limited. The DECC is the exclusive supplier of food and beverages to all guests at the DECC. The DECC is a licensed food service operator by the Minnesota Department of Health. All other exhibitors need to obtain a valid special event license for sample foods provided in the tori. These items must follow the food preparation laws of the State of Minnesota; the Minnesota license must be shown in a prominent place in the booth.
Exceptions to the food guidelines:
- Candy jars are acceptable.
- Exhibitors may distribute food or non alcoholic beverage samples to their customers if that exhibitor is specifically exhibiting those food and beverage items that pertain to their business.
- Example: an ice cream company may distribute sample size ice cream serving to demonstrate their product.
Hours
Fri August 1: 9am-5pm
Sat August 2: 9am-5pm
Sun August 3: 9am-5pm
Set-up can begin on Thursday (July 31) at 5-8pm and continues Friday (Aug 1) before Tori opens at 9am. To ensure the public feels welcome until the end of the Tori Nordic Fair, on Sunday vendors should plan to breakdown and clean up spaces after we close at 5 pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
WILL ELECTRICITY BE AVAILABLE?
Vendors can order electricity from the DECC website.
WHAT ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT CAN BE ADDED?
DECC provides telephone, secure internet, carpeting and additional chairs for a fee. Check the DECC website for prices.
SPACE ASSIGNMENTS:
FinnFest USA cannot guarantee every vendor a specific location. Registering early will give vendors a better opportunity to be assigned a position with easy access. Vendors will be notified one month in advance where their booth will be located.
IS THERE A LOADING DOCK? WHAT IS THE PARKING SITUATION?
DECC does not have a loading dock. Vendors will move in through Garage doors. Parking is currently $10.00 and there are 1,800 spots available.
CAN PRODUCTS BE SHIPPED TO THE DECC?
Exhibit materials may be shipped to the DECC no more than seven days prior to the first scheduled move-in day. Please refer to the Drayage Service/Freight Handling Form for rates and information. Materials should be labeled as followed:
DECC Deliver to Door 9 FFUSA 2024 – Booth Number 350 Harbor Drive Duluth, MN 55802-2698
All materials must be removed following the close of the Tori, no later than Sunday evening, August 3.
WILL SECURITY BE AVAILABLE?
The DECC has its own security team. Vendors are responsible for maintaining their own booths during the day. After hours, the space is locked. Neither the DECC nor FinnFest USA will be held responsible for losses. Exhibitors must provide their own insurance.
WHAT GENERAL RULES APPLY WHILE TORI IS OPEN?
Vendors must observe designated hours and staff their booths during tori hours. Vendors must provide sufficient cash to accommodate their sales. Display areas should be left clean each evening. Vendors are responsible for collecting and reporting all state and local taxes. Vendors should have completed their set-ups by the time of the Tori opening on Thursday. They should plan to maintain their booths on all four days of the Tori.
WHAT WILL THE BOOTH RENTAL FEE INCLUDE?
Booth rental fee provides an 8 foot table, pipe and drapes, two chairs, and a booth sign. A discounted rate on a program ad or logo promotion on festival marketing materials can be added. Please contact tori@finnfestusa.org for details.
CAN A VENDOR GET A GUARANTEED SPACE AT THE TORI?
All applicants who fit the FinnFest USA tori criteria will be accommodated up to the limits of the spaces available. FinnFest USA cannot guarantee all vendors the space that they envision or the amount of space that they request. That said, every effort will be made to satisfy requests. Space is limited and vendors will be accommodated on a “first come, first serve” basis. It is best to reserve early.
HOW WILL THE TORI BE ADVERTISED?
Tori will be advertised as such in both traditional print and radio as well as social media platforms. The public will be welcomed and encouraged to come specifically to visit the Tori.
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?
A 50% refund will be made for cancellations received 30 days prior to FinnFest 2025. No cancellations will be accepted under 30 days.
TORI VENDOR FORM
