A Locally Made Products Festival

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

Recognizing that small businesses are the backbone of its economy, the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED) and Maui Chamber of Commerce established the annual Made in Maui County Festival (MIMCF) to further develop the County’s manufacturing industry. Held in November at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului, the goal of this two-day event is to: showcase locally made products; grow independent businesses headquartered within the county (islands Maui, Molokai and Lanai); strengthen the community by encouraging job creation; and diversify the county’s economy. The County was the catalyst for MIMCF, analyzing resources and partners and bringing them together to establish not only a major annual event that furthers its niche manufacturing industry, but providing a means for various business development groups and partners to collaborate on the festival and other activities to benefit all small businesses in Maui County. From its initial conception, the festival was designed to be more than a large community celebration promoting local artisan and manufacturing businesses and spurring massive sales on a single day; it was about creating business capacity and long term growth. Vital to festival vendor’s success and the event’s overall economic impact is the “Buyers Preview,” a B2B event held on the first day. Establishing wholesale buyer/distributor relationships through the Buyers Preview has taken Maui County businesses to new heights, increasing domestic and international market exports. Festival vendors have transitioned from hobby businesses to full-fledged manufacturers and exporters, creating new jobs each year. MIMCF continues to have a profound impact for local entrepreneurs. Since the first event was held in 2014, it has attracted over 40,400 residents and visitors in attendance, with participating vendors reporting over $1.8 million in total festival product sales, 982 total new wholesale accounts, and 6,291 new leads gained at the two-day event.