With approximately six months to go until opening day, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt is finalizing its vendors for 2018 and is making a big push to lure sponsorships for the event’s second year.
Market Master and CEO Maria Murphy said last year was a whirlwind launching the market in a short time, so her goal this summer is to land sponsors to help offset city grants.
“We do want to go away from having to go to council every year for funds, and so this is a great way for a company to contribute to the community,” she said.
In its first year, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt brought in nearly $1.4 million in gross sales, serving about 150,000 people. Murphy said that audience is huge for a business looking to connect to families and shoppers during the holiday season.
“The numbers speak for themselves, and we had at least 150,000 people last year. Any company wants to get their name in front of that many people (and), this is a great opportunity,” she said. “It’s a great way to have your brand in front of people when they’re spending money during the holidays.”
In its first year, the city gave the nonprofit $420,000. Another $125,000 is budgeted for this year.
Sponsorship levels range from $1,000 to $30,000 and include different activities and sections of the traditional German holiday market, which is outside of The Palladium. One of the top sponsorship opportunities is the gluwein mugs. There will be 30,000 boot-shaped mugs and 20,000 train-shaped mugs this year, and a sponsor could have its logo on the commemorative item that many Carmel residents took home and collected in 2017.
For more, email Murphy at [email protected].
