TRAVIS CHAMBERS
EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING & EVENT PRODUCTION LEADER
PROJECT
KUUMBA JUICE & COFFEE
GROUNDS
CREATIVE
Creative Grounds was a community vendor fair
created by Uptown Society to give emerging
entrepreneurs an affordable, accessible space to
showcase their products, services, and creative work.
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The concept was built around a simple problem:
Vendor markets can be expensive, and people who
are just starting out, often do not have hundreds of
dollars to spend just to participate. Creative Grounds
offered a lower-barrier alternative with a $20 vendor
fee, giving small businesses, creatives, and entrepreneurs a chance to get in the room without
being priced out before they even started.
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Hosted at Kuumba Juice & Coffee, the event brought
together local vendors, community members, food,
entertainment, and promotional support in a fully
produced market experience.
THE CHALLENGE
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Vendor opportunities can sometimes become their own kind of hustle. For newer entrepreneurs, artists, makers, and small business owners, high vendor fees can make it difficult to test products, build customer relationships, or gain visibility in a real market setting.
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The challenge was to create an event that felt organized, valuable, and professionally produced while still keeping the cost of participation low.
THE SOLUTION
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Uptown Society created Creative Grounds as a low-cost vendor fair designed around access, visibility, and community commerce.
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The event gave vendors a simple, affordable way to present their work while giving attendees a chance to discover local products, services, food, and creative offerings in one shared space. The production approach focused on making the event feel intentional rather than thrown together.
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Creative Grounds was not just a room with tables. It was built with vendor applications, selection, layout planning, load-in and load-out coordination, marketing, signage, entertainment, food vendor coordination, sponsor support, and day-of management.
With such a small team, I can’t believe it went this smoothly. I’ve done a lot of vending, and this was
one of the most stress-free and fun ones I’ve done. Hands down! We’ll be back.
- Chrischella Roche
Vibez Creative Arts Space
"
KEY TAKEAWAYS​​​​
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Created an accessible vendor model with a low-barrier $20 participation fee.
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Produced a full community market with vendors, food, entertainment, signage, and
on-site coordination. -
Managed 35 vendors and 200 attendees through planning, layout, load-in, and day-of execution.
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Delivered a cost-conscious vendor model that kept participation affordable while supporting a fully produced event experience.
MY ROLE
Organizer | Producer | On-Site Manager
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Vendor applications​
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Vendor selection
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Event layout
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Load-in and load-out coordination
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Marketing and social promotion
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Signage
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Food vendor coordination
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Entertainment coordination
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Sponsor coordination
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On-site management
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Day-of troubleshooting
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Post-event recap and storytelling
