The Booth Boss: When You Don’t Want to Be Promoted

Not every vendor wants their business featured in articles or social posts—and that’s okay! In this week’s Booth Boss, I’m diving into why visibility matters, how event marketing benefits your business, and what we can do when a vendor prefers a little more privacy. Spoiler: there’s always a middle ground that keeps everyone shining. Every now and then, I hear from a vendor who says something like this: “I’d prefer not to be part of any articles or marketing promotions for the event. My business is an LLC, and I’m trying to keep it separate from my personal name. My business is also a trademark that’s about to be registered, so including it might make things confusing.” At first glance, that might sound like a simple request—but it’s one worth unpacking. As someone who’s spent years organizing events and cheering on small business owners, I want every vendor to understand how marketing visibility really works and why opting out might not serve you as well as you think.

1. Your Business Name Is Meant to Be Seen

Whether you’re an LLC or a sole proprietor, your business name is your public identity. It’s how customers find you, remember you, and tell their friends about you. Event marketing—articles, posts, and press releases—helps reinforce that recognition for free. Hiding your name means you’re essentially paying for a booth but leaving your sign covered up.

2. Event Promotion = Free Advertising

When we feature vendors in Made in Iowa marketing, we’re running ads for you at no charge. We’re helping you reach potential customers who may not walk through your booth but might visit your website, follow your social media, or seek you out later. Every mention is a seed planted for future sales.

3. LLCs and Trademarks Don’t Limit Visibility

It’s a common misconception that a trademark-in-progress or LLC status means you should avoid public exposure. In truth, those structures protect your right to use your name, logo, and brand in public. They don’t restrict it. You can still promote your products proudly while your registration is pending.

4. Visibility Builds Community

When all of our vendors participate in joint promotions, we create a ripple effect that benefits everyone. Our collective story becomes stronger—and customers love seeing the variety of makers, artists, and entrepreneurs that make each market special. That shared visibility is part of what makes Made in Iowa events so vibrant. Because of that, vendors who prefer not to be featured in marketing will still be welcome, but they may not receive priority placement or featured coverage.

Finding the Middle Ground

We understand that every business has its own comfort level when it comes to publicity. If you prefer to limit how your business is shown, there are easy compromises: We can list your business name on public materials without including a personal name. You can provide a generic logo instead of a photo. We can include you in vendor directories but skip individual feature stories. That way, you’re still part of the community without compromising your privacy comfort zone.

In Closing

If privacy or branding concerns come up, please talk with your event organizer. There are usually simple solutions. But don’t let paperwork or formality dim your spotlight.
Your business deserves to be seen, celebrated, and shared. After all, Made in Iowa isn’t just about selling—it’s about showing the world what our community of makers can do.