North Carolina "Small Business" Out-Performs "Big Business" Competitors

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- FestivalNet.com is an online platform that connects festival attendees, promoters and exhibitors.  As the company approaches a milestone of 26,000 event listings, it's especially interesting to note that the 8-person company is out-performing all other competitors combined.  Some of their big business competitors:  Eventbrite.com has 277 festival listings while eventful.com comes in at 227.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131112/PH14899-a)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131112/PH14899-b)

Research and Database Manager Sara Potts says, "We have an average of 85 new events added every week.  500 events get updated with new and current information each week and the company has grown from 19,987 events in 2010 to 25,869 events in 2013."

How has the small company achieved this level of interest from the festival community? 

"Call us the festival matchmaker," Connie Morris, Co-founder of FestivalNet.com, said.  "We've been doing this a long time; providing a central place for consumers, exhibitors, entertainers and promoters, it's a model that benefits everyone."

Kurt Irmiter, Co-founder, said,  "People love festivals.  They want to be entertained.  Actually, the economy has amplified the consumer's desire for interesting, diverse, affordable, family-friendly fun, and festivals provide the perfect outlet."

Irmiter and Morris launched FestivalNet.com in 1996.  What started as a pdf download service listing craft shows, art fairs and music and art festivals is now a thriving marketplace for artists, crafters, vendors, musicians and promoters to connect and present what they each do, all in one space.  There are currently 213,824 members on their site. "Similar to sites like Facebook or LinkedIn, we are a networking and data hub, but for the festival market," says social media and marketing director Julie Cochrane.

While vendors consider FestivalNet.com a valuable source for planning, so do consumers who are looking for events – from holiday festivals for some unique holiday shopping – to upcoming spring home & garden shows.  The website includes dates, times, entertainment, special activities and details like exhibitor booth fees, so event-goers and exhibitors can each plan their calendars.

Given that FestivalNet.com is close to reaching 26,000 listings, it's safe to say that festivals are big business.  And a big new feature is FestivalNet's online marketplace.  Here, artists, vendors & musicians can sell their products year-round. So when the stages and booths come down, vendors and consumers can visit FestivalNet.com/mc to benefit throughout the year from the relationships made at a festival or event!

"Our Marketplace is an awesome venue for people to find holiday items for Thanksgiving and unique handmade gifts & affordable artwork for Christmas shopping," said Cochrane.

FestivalNet.com publishes the most extensive and comprehensive database of festivals and fairs in North America. We provide web tools and resources relevant to the festival goer, exhibiting artist, craftsperson, musician, band, service provider, booking agent, food vendor and festival promoter. As the leader in the festivals and special events industry, we publish detailed event data on 25,000+ events. We can be reached at 800-200-3737 or http://festivalnet.com/

Media Contact:

Peggy Glassman 
704-604-5515 
Email

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SOURCE FestivalNet.com