November, 2009

Dear Vendor and Friend of Thespians,

We are busy preparing for the 2010 Florida State Thespian Festival to again be held in Tampa. This year we will be using the Tampa Performing Arts Center, Tampa Theatre, and the Tampa Convention Center. The Florida Festival is the largest Thespian festival in the United States with over 7,200 students, sponsors, chaperons, university representatives and professionals attending this annual three and a half day conference. It all begins Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. and continues through midnight Saturday, April 10, 2010.

Vending will be offered for TWO days: Friday and Saturday. I am inviting you to join us for the two days that we are in the Tampa Convention Center and share your items and information at our Festival. Please join us by filling out the attached form and returning it by January 11, 2010.

If you would like to register by the internet, simply click here.

Florida State Thespian board has initiated a dress code for all evening performances. We are encouraging all vendors NOT to sell wigs and costume pieces that would violate this conservative, theatre-going attire. In the past we have had vendors actually sell “fake” cigarettes and “extreme” clothing. We do not want the students in the audience to be wearing costumes or costume pieces. If in doubt, please e-mail the State Director at the address above.

The commercial vendor’s fee for Festival 2010 will be $300 per table. In early February, you will receive information on renting/obtaining electricity, poles, braces, stands, carts for loading in, and many other types of exhibitor’s equipment. Additionally, we will send you information on shipping your materials in advance. Please remember that every one of these services must be contracted directly from the Tampa Convention Center. All that Florida State Thespians will provide you with is the correct number of tables with cloths and skirts, set up in the designated vending area.

If you are unable to attend, would you send catalogues, book copies or any other paraphernalia we can display and make available to our delegates? There are approximately 300 sponsors attending. If you send sample scripts, books, or similar items, we will raffle them off and add the proceeds to our scholarship fund. These materials should be sent to me by April 1st at my school address noted above.

NEW FOR 2010: We will be using an on-line program this year and will NOT BE ACCEPTING ADS for this pilot year of the program. Sorry. I look forward to seeing you at our Festival 2010 aptly titled:

Welcome Home!

Sincerely,

Michael J. Higgins