(Livonia, Mich, March 2, 2016) – The Buy Michigan Now campaign is dedicated to helping businesses succeed in Michigan, and creating awareness of products made here. For the fifth consecutive year, in conjunction with the campaign’s events, entrepreneurs can compete to win free marketing exposure worth more than $1,000. The Up & Coming Entrepreneur Contest begins today.

Previous Winners

Last year’s winner was Gordon Cepnick. His West Bloomfield-based company, Motor City Bait, makes motion-detected, solar-charged, deer feeders with LED lighting. As deer approach in the dark to feed, the light turns on for easy viewing. Previous winners have included Jonathan Ramer of Michigan Adirondack Chairs in Grand Rapids, Peter Purol of All American Torch in Sterling Heights, and Christine Stamper of Crunch Granola in Walled Lake.

“Each of the past contest winners has credited the opportunity with helping them to establish their new businesses and that’s what the Buy Michigan Now campaign is all about,” said Buy Michigan Now founder Lisa Diggs. “This year we’re particularly excited to be able to offer vendor opportunities for the winner at new events in Frankenmuth and Jackson, in addition to the Buy Michigan Now Festival in Northville,” added Diggs.

Buy Michigan Now will select one Grand Prize winning business and two runners up.

Grand Prize Winner

  • 10×10 vendor space at Michigan Market & Mayhem (Frankenmuth July 16-17), Buy Michigan Now Festival (Northville Aug 5-7), and Buy Michigan Now Fall Fest (Jackson Oct 22-23)
  • Press release announcing selection as Grand Prize winner
  • Story pitched to media outlets
  • Free Premiere membership and listing in BMN’s directory of Michigan businesses for one year
  • Included as a Featured Business on BuyMichiganNow.com
  • Listed in Scheduled Exhibitors on the festival website with company’s website link
  • Featured in Buy Michigan Now monthly newsletter
  • Highlighted on Buy Michigan Now social media

Runners Up 

  • Free Premiere membership and listing in BMN’s directory of Michigan businesses for one year
  • 10×10 vendor space at one event of their choice of Michigan Market & Mayhem event in Frankenmuth or Buy Michigan Now Fall Fest in Jackson
  • Featured on Buy Michigan Now social media
  • Named in press release announcing contest results

Eligibility guidelines

  • Must be a Michigan-based business that meets one of the following criteria: operates entirely in the state of Michigan or headquartered in Michigan with additional operations outside the state.
  • Has been in business for no more than two years
  • Grows, creates, assembles, and/or manufactures product(s) in Michigan.
  • Has not previously participated as an vendor at a previous Buy Michigan Now event

Submission guidelines 

Businesses must send an email with “Up and Coming” in the subject line to Fest@BuyMichiganNow.com by March 31, 2016.  Submissions MUST include ALL of the following elements to be considered:

  • Submitter’s name, title, and phone number
  • Company name and city where product(s) is grown or made
  • Date company began
  • Website (if applicable)
  • Description of product (must be made in Michigan)
  • Picture(s) of product
  • Explanation in 200 words or less of what makes the company/product unique and why the entrepreneur deserves this opportunity

By entering this contest submitters agree to allow Buy Michigan Now to post any pictures and content submitted on social media or other websites, and to include content in press releases.  Submitters further agree to answer questions and provide additional information if requested. All decisions of the Buy Michigan Now selection committee are final.

Event Details

The inaugural Michigan Market and Mayhem event will take place in Frankenmuth on July 16-17. The Buy Michigan Now Festival will enter its 8th year in Northville August 5-7, and the Buy Michigan Now Fall Fest will return to Jackson for its 2nd year October 22-23. For information on vendor or sponsorship opportunities, contact Buy Michigan Now 248-390-0974 or Fest@BuyMichiganNow.com.  For the most up-to-date information about all three events visit www.BuyMichiganNowFest.com.

Contact Info

Press questions and interview requests should go to Jeanne Micallef at 248-547-5576 or Jeanne@imjcommunications.com.

Author: bmnadmin