Event settings

Every event has its own set of configurable settings that let you control how vendors interact with it. These settings help you tailor the experience for each event, whether it's a small community market or a large-scale trade show.


Where to Find Event Settings

  1. Open the event you want to configure from the Events page

  2. Click Edit to open the event form

  3. Scroll to the settings sections: Vendor Settings and Email Notifications


Vendor Settings

Approval Required

When turned on, vendors must submit an application and be approved by you before they can register or pay for a booth. This gives you full control over who participates in your event.

When turned off, vendors can register and pay immediately without waiting for approval.

Tip: If you're running a curated event where vendor quality or category balance matters, turn on approval. For open-registration events where any vendor can join, you can leave it off to speed things up.

Vendor Categories

Define the types of vendors you accept at your event. Common categories include Food, Artisan, Retail, Service, and Non-Profit, but you can create whatever categories make sense for your event.

Categories help you:

  • Organize vendors by type on your event page

  • Filter and sort your vendor list

  • Ensure a good mix of vendor types at your event

Tip: Keep your category list focused. Too many categories can be confusing for vendors filling out their application. You can always add more later if needed.

Max Vendors

Set a cap on the total number of vendors your event can accept. Once the limit is reached, new vendors won't be able to register.

This is especially useful when you have a fixed number of booth spaces available and want to prevent overbooking.

Refund Policy

Write a refund policy that will be displayed to vendors during the checkout process. Being upfront about your refund terms helps set expectations and reduces disputes later.

Your policy might cover:

  • Whether refunds are available and under what conditions

  • Deadlines for requesting a refund

  • Whether partial refunds are offered

  • How vendors should request a refund

Tip: Even a simple one-liner like "All sales are final" or "Refunds available up to 30 days before the event" goes a long way. Vendors appreciate knowing the terms before they pay.

Load-in Instructions

Provide setup and arrival details for accepted vendors. These instructions are shared with vendors after they've been approved and paid, so they know exactly what to expect on event day.

Good load-in instructions typically include:

  • Setup date and time (if different from the event start)

  • Where to park and unload

  • Entrance or gate to use

  • Any items vendors need to bring

  • Contact information for day-of questions


Tax

If you charge tax on vendor payments, you can configure a per-event tax rate and label. When enabled, tax is calculated on the subtotal and added as a separate line item in Stripe checkout.

Field
Description

Charge tax on vendor payments

Toggle to enable or disable tax for this event

Tax Rate

The tax percentage to apply (e.g., 13 for 13%)

Tax Label

A short label shown at checkout (e.g., "HST", "VAT", "GST")

New events inherit your organization's default tax rate and label from Organization Settings. You can override them here for any event.

Tip: If your events span multiple jurisdictions with different tax rates, set the correct rate on each event rather than relying on the organization default.


Email Notifications

Control which automatic emails Vendor Space sends to vendors for this event. Each toggle affects only automatic, system-triggered emails. Manual emails like reminders and re-engagement campaigns are not affected.

Toggle
What it controls

Waitlist notification

Sent when a vendor is moved to the waitlist

Offer email

Sent when a vendor receives an offer with their portal link

Payment confirmation

Sent after a vendor completes payment through Stripe

Application approved

Sent when you approve a vendor's application

Application declined

Sent when you decline a vendor's application

All emails are enabled by default when you create a new event.

Tip: If you prefer to contact vendors through your own channels, you can turn off automatic emails and share portal links manually. The underlying actions (offer creation, payment processing) still work normally -- only the email notification is suppressed.

For more details on each email, see Email Notifications.


When to Configure Settings

You can update event settings at any time, even after your event is published and vendors have started registering. However, it's a good idea to have your core settings in place before you start accepting vendors.

  • Before publishing: Set your approval mode, categories, and vendor cap so the rules are clear from the start.

  • Before sending payment links: Make sure your refund policy is written and saved.

  • Before event day: Add or update your load-in instructions so vendors have everything they need.

  • Email notifications: Review your email preferences before you start making offers or processing applications.

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