Misleading Promises, Disrespectful Execution – Not for Real Crafters
We participated in a Marketplace Events-run show under the Affair of the Heart brand, expecting what was advertised: a showcase for artisans, crafters, and small independent creators.
What we experienced instead was a poorly curated resale expo packed with imported goods, price-fixed booths, and multi-booth vendors pushing the same mass-market items aisle after aisle. Handmade vendors were few and far between — and treated as expendable filler between corporate resellers.
Parking was blocked off for vendors, setup was chaotic, and teardown was rushed. We were given two hours to break down and haul handmade products across long distances in the heat. Absolutely no vendor hospitality, no operational support, and no effort to honor the spirit of a true craft show.
Marketplace Events claims to support local makers. What they actually support is booth volume, profit margins, and wholesale repackaging. This isn’t a craft show — it’s a cash grab dressed in nostalgia.
We won’t be back. And if you’re a true artisan, you shouldn’t be either.
