Young Entrepreneur Expo
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate?
Any Mat-Su student in grades K–12 is welcome to participate.
Is there a deadline to register?
Registration is currently open until all spots are filled. In the past, vendor spots have filled quickly, so we strongly recommend registering early.
How much does it cost?
The cost is $10 per table.
Do we need to bring our own table and chairs?
No. Each participant is provided with a 5 ft x 3 ft table and two chairs.
What size are the tables?
Tables are 5 feet by 3 feet.
How many vendor spots are available?
There are 58 vendor spots available. Registration is first-come, first-served.
Can vendors choose their booth location?
Vendor spots are assigned in order of registration. However, vendors are welcome to include any location requests on the registration form, and we will do our best to accommodate them.
Are there different age groups for judging?
Yes. Participants will be judged within three age categories:
– Elementary School
– Middle School
– High School
There are no categories based on the type of product or service.
How much should I charge for my products?
That decision is up to you. Part of being an entrepreneur is doing market research and a cost analysis to determine how much to charge for your items. We encourage students to think about their costs, their customers, and what similar products sell for when setting prices.
Do we need a business license?
No. A business license is not required for this event. Everett’s Restaurant is located outside the City of Wasilla boundaries, so a City of Wasilla business license is not needed.
Can I sell food or drink items?
Yes. Students may sell food and drink items that can be eaten on site.
What if I need to cancel?
If you need to cancel your participation, please notify the organizers as far in advance as possible. Expo spaces fill quickly, and with sufficient notice we may be able to offer your spot to another student. Early notification allows waitlisted students the time they need to prepare their products and materials.
Please note that the $10 registration fee is non-refundable for cancellations made after March 20.
What is the expectation for parent involvement?
The Young Entrepreneur Expo is a youth-led event. Parents are encouraged to support their students while allowing them to take the lead in running their business.
Elementary students may have one parent sitting at the booth with them.
Middle and High School students’ parents are welcome to remain on site but should not plan to spend the day sitting at their student’s booth.
Parents are welcome to:
– Help with setup and takedown
– Provide breaks for students
– Assist with Venmo or credit card payments
Are we allowed to use Venmo or take credit cards?
Yes. Students may use their own Venmo accounts and any personal credit card services they have set up.
Please note that Everett’s Restaurant cannot process payments on your behalf.
Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available at the venue.
What if I need to arrive late or leave early?
We ask that all participants plan to be present for the entire event from 12:00–4:00 PM to ensure a positive experience for customers, judges, and fellow vendors.
When is setup?
Setup will take place on Saturday, March 28 from 10:00–11:30 AM.
All vendors must be fully set up by 11:30 AM.