Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival aims to help local businesses grow, succeed

KAHULUI, Hawaii, Oct. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On November 1 & 2, Maui County's largest products show returns to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului, Maui – the 6th Annual Hawaiian Airlines Made in County Festival. Presented by the Maui Chamber of Commerce, this annual event is dedicated to improving the islands' economic well-being by helping to grow and sustain Maui County's niche manufacturing industry.

This year, over 140 vendors from Maui, Molokai and Lanai will offer hundreds of locally made products – food, art, crafts jewelry, fashions, furniture, gifts, collectibles and more. In addition, Maui's popular Food Trucks will be featured – 3 on Friday and 13 on Saturday – offering delicious island-inspired menu items.

For a complete list of 2019 Product Vendors, visit http://www.MadeInMauiCountyFestival.com/2019-vendors. For a list of Food Trucks, visit http://www.madeinmauicountyfestival.com/2019-food-trucks.

According to Pamela Tumpap, President of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, "The mission of this annual festival is to help small businesses grow and succeed. By helping our islands' small businesses prosper through increased revenue and creating opportunities to expand to national and international markets, we are ultimately helping Maui County to be more sustainable and economically strong."

Since the first festival was held in 2014, this annual event has attracted over 51,000 residents and visitors in attendance, with over 300 participating vendors reporting over $2.5 million in total festival product sales, 165,900 items sold, over 1,120 new wholesale accounts secured, and over 6,770 new leads gained during the two-day event.

Each year, Product Vendors have to meet certain criteria in order to participate, including having their business based on the islands of Maui, Molokai or Lanai. Products being offered for sale also have to be made in Maui County and meet a minimum 51% of their value added in Hawaii. Vendors' branding, packaging, website/online presence, and interest in and/or readiness to export were also taken into account.

This year, those who want to be first through the gate and who appreciate a leisurely shopping experience will enjoy the "Exclusive Shopping Day" on Friday, November 1, from 1:30 pm to 6 pm. Festivities include the Opening Ceremony and complimentary pupu at 5 pm. Food will also be available for purchase from 3 food trucks up to 5:30 pm. Attendees will receive a free festival tote bag and have the opportunity to win a special Maui getaway (must be present to win). For tickets ($35 per person, children 12 and under are free), call (808) 242-SHOW (7469) or visit http://www.mauiarts.org/exclusive_shopping_day.

On Saturday, November 2, the "Big Festival Day" will be open from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Saturday's festivities will include live entertainment, fashion shows, 13 food trucks in the Pasha Hawaii Food Court, and prize drawings. The first 2,000 attendees will receive a free festival tote bag. Free parking and complimentary shuttles will be available at various locations, visit http://www.MadeInMauiCountyFestival.com for information. Public admission is $5 (purchase that day only at MACC Box Office), children 12 and under are free.

On both days, visit the Hawaiian Airlines table in the Yokouchi Pavilion for a chance to win 120,000 HawaiianMiles. On Saturday, visit the Pasha Hawaii Food Court for the chance to win a Pasha Hawaii Certificate of Passage good for shipping one personal vehicle to/from San Diego and Maui.

Qualified wholesale buyers and distributors may also register online to receive complimentary admission to attend a special "Wholesale Buyers Event" on Friday, November 1, from 1:30 pm to 6 pm.

"The amazingly varied categories of products at the festival, along with the food trucks, stage activities and energy from vendors and attendees ensures that it will be a memorable experience for everyone who attends," said Tumpap. "There is literally something for every age, gender and cultural background at the festival and we encourage everyone to join us for this annual tradition."

The 6th Annual Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival is presented by the Maui Chamber of Commerce and supported by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development. Hawaiian Airlines is the event's title sponsor.
Event sponsors are: Hawaiian Airlines; Pasha Hawaii; Minit Stop; HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union; Maui Visitors Bureau; HAWAI'I Magazine; KAOI Radio Group; Maui No Ka Oi Magazine; Pacific Media Group; MauiOnLine, The Maui Visitor Channel; The Maui News; American Savings Bank; HHawaii Media; Maui Printing Company; Queen Ka'ahumanu Center; Waste Pro Hawaii LLC; Bank of Hawaii; Central Pacific Bank; First Hawaiian Bank; Maui Electric Company; Maui Hotel & Lodging Association; Maui Research and Technology Center; State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism; and Na Koa Brand.

For more information, visit http://www.MadeInMauiCountyFestival.com or email [email protected]. Connect with the festival on Facebook and Instagram.

SOURCE Maui Chamber of Commerce