Vendor Handbook – RISE 915 Market

RISE 915 MARKET

Vendor Handbook

Where El Paso Rises Together

 

1. Welcome to RISE 915 Market

RISE 915 Market is a curated community market designed to uplift local makers, celebrate El Paso culture, and provide consistent opportunities for small businesses to grow.

Our markets may take place at various venues throughout El Paso, including community spaces, private properties, and military-affiliated locations.

All vendors are expected to follow RISE 915 standards in addition to any venue-specific requirements.

 

2. Mission & Market Standards

Our Mission:

To uplift local makers, connect our community, and create a welcoming space where El Paso rises together—week after week.

RISE 915 Market is:

  • Curated
  • Family-friendly
  • Community-driven
  • Professional
  • Consistent

We are not a flea market. We are not an unstructured pop-up.

 

3. Booth Size & Display Standards

Booth Size

  • Standard booth space is 10x10 unless otherwise approved
  • Booth footprint must remain within assigned boundaries

Canopy Requirements

  • White or professionally branded canopies only
  •  No neon, mismatched, or heavily patterned tents
  •  Canopies must be clean and in good condition

Tent Weights (Mandatory)

  • Minimum 35 lbs per leg (140 lbs total)
  •  Weights must be secured to each leg
  •  No staking unless explicitly approved by the Market Coordinator and venue

Table and Presentation Standards

  • Floor-length tablecloths are required
  •  Displays must be clean, organized, and intentional
  •  No visible storage boxes
  •  No handwritten paper signage
  •  All signage must be professionally produced and legible

Handmade products must reflect quality craftsmanship and finished presentation.


Night Market Standards

For Evening Events:

  • Vendors must provide their own lighting
  • Power banks are required if electricity is not provided
  • Lighting must be warm and inviting
  • Extension cords must be safely secured and taped down 

 

5. Food, Licensing & Regulatory Compliance

RISE 915 Market welcomes food trucks, on-site food preparation vendors, cottage food vendors, and prepackaged goods vendors where permitted by venue.

All vendors are solely responsible for maintaining proper licensing and compliance based on the goods they sell and the venue at which they are participating.

General Compliance

  • Vendors must comply with all applicable Texas state, county, city, and federal regulations
  •  Vendors are responsible for obtaining and maintaining required sales tax permits or business licensing
  •  Vendors must be prepared to provide documentation upon request by:
  •  Market Coordinator
  •  Venue Management
  •  Health Department Officials
  • Military or federal representatives (when applicable)

RISE 915 Market does not assume responsibility for individual vendor regulatory compliance.

Cottage Food Vendors

  • Must comply with Texas Cottage Food Law
  • Proper labeling is required
  •  Must hold an active Food Handler’s Card

On-site Food Preparation Vendors

  •  Must maintain required permits for food preparation and service I.e. Local licensing for truck or mobile kitchen, on site health department requirements and any federally regulated applicable licensing for their set up
  •  Must hold a valid Food Handler’s Card or required certification. Kitchen management card.
  • All trucks must have fire inspection 
  • All paperwork must be ready to be inspected by coordinator or any representative from the Health Department at any point during any event.
  •  Must comply with venue-specific restrictions

Meat & Specialty Food Vendors (Including Beef Jerky)

  •  Must maintain all required state and federal licensing
  •  Required documentation must be available at all times
  • Vendors must comply with all applicable food safety regulations


Set Up and Breakdown Rules

  • No setup prior to Market Coordinator arrival
  •  Vendors must comply with designated setup windows
  •  No breakdown before official market closing time
  • Early breakdown only if specifically instructed

Failure to comply may affect future participation and may result in removal without refund.


7. Professional Conduct & Customer Experience

Customer Service Standards

  • Vendors must provide respectful and welcoming service to all market guests
  •  Interactions must reflect positively on both the vendor and RISE 915 Market
  • Aggressive sales tactics are not permitted

Professionalism

  •  Vendors must maintain respectful communication with the Market Coordinator, venue staff, and fellow vendors
  •  No foul language
  •  No public disputes or disruptive behavior
  • Feedback must be communicated directly to the Market Coordinator after the event

Failure to comply with professionalism standards may result in immediate removal without refund and may impact future participation eligibility.

8. Venue-Specific Compliance

Certain venues may require additional rules, documentation, or operational adjustments.

  • Additional documentation or identification
  •  Security screening
  •  Restricted items
  •  Military or federal compliance standards
  •  Modified food preparation permissions

Vendors are responsible for complying with all venue-specific requirements communicated prior to each event.

9. Liability

Vendors operate as independent businesses and assume full responsibility for their operations. 

“Participation in the market is at the vendor’s own risk.”

Hold Harmless & Indemnification

Vendors agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless RISE 915 Market, its organizers, staff, venue partners, property owners, sponsors, and affiliated entities from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses arising out of or related to:

  • • Vendor operations
  • • Product sales
  • • Food preparation
  • • Booth setup
  • • Negligence or misconduct
  • • Regulatory non-compliance

Vendors assume full responsibility for their participation and release RISE 915 Market and its affiliated venues from liability to the fullest extent permitted by law.


Payment, Refund & Credit Policy

All vendor fees are non-refundable.

Refunds will only be issued if an event is canceled solely due to fault or decision of the event organizer.

If an event is postponed due to weather or unforeseen circumstances beyond organizer control:

  • • Vendor fees will automatically convert to a credit
  • • Credit is valid for the next scheduled RISE 915 Market event only
  • • If the vendor does not attend the next scheduled event, the credit is forfeited

If the vendor has already paid for the next scheduled event, the credit will roll into the next available unpaid market date.

Credits have no cash value and may not be transferred without written approval.

 

10. Agreement & Acknowledgment

By submitting payment or participating in any RISE 915 Market event, vendors acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to all guidelines, policies, and requirements outlined in this Vendor Handbook.

Vendors agree to:

  • Comply with all safety standards
  • Maintain professional presentation
  • Follow venue-specific regulations
  • Uphold customer service standards
  • Maintain proper licensing and documentation
  • Accept refund and credit policies as stated

RISE 915 Market reserves the right to refuse, remove, or deny participation to any vendor to protect the safety, professionalism, and integrity of any event.