Event Vendor ROI Calculator

How It Works

Three simple steps to get accurate calculations

Enter Event Costs

Input booth fees, travel expenses, accommodation, and setup costs.

Set Sales Projections

Estimate expected sales volume and average transaction value.

Calculate ROI

See profit margins, break-even requirements, and return on investment.

Compare Events

Analyze multiple events to optimize your vendor schedule.

Calculate profit or loss from renting a booth at fairs, festivals, or trade shows. Plan your event investment with confidence.

Share Your Scenario

Copy link with your current inputs

Event Details

Basic information about the event you're considering.

Booth Fee

Total cost to rent the booth space for the entire event

Event Days

days

Number of days the event runs (typically 1-7 days)

Fixed Prep Costs

One-time setup costs: signage, décor, displays, marketing materials

Sales Projections

Estimate your expected sales performance based on foot traffic and conversion rates.

Event Type Benchmarks

Farmers Market

8-15%$15-40

Local weekly markets with regular customers

Tips: Weather dependent, Regular customer base, Lower booth fees

Craft Fair

5-12%$20-80

Arts and crafts focused events

Tips: Seasonal variations, Handmade premium pricing, Target specific demographics

Trade Show

2-8%$100-2000

Industry-specific professional events

Tips: B2B focus, Higher order values, Lead generation important

Festival

3-10%$10-50

Large public celebrations and themed events

Tips: High foot traffic, Impulse purchases, Competition intensive

Food Truck Event

10-25%$8-25

Food and beverage focused gatherings

Tips: High conversion rates, Lower margins, Weather sensitive

Expected Visitors per Day

visitors

Estimated foot traffic past your booth each day

Conversion Rate

Percentage of visitors who will make a purchase (typically 1-10%)

Average Order Value

Average dollar amount per customer purchase

Cost of Goods per Sale

Direct cost of products sold (materials, wholesale cost)

Staffing & Operations

Calculate labor costs and booth operating hours for the event.

Variable Staffing Cost per Hour

/hour

Hourly cost for booth staff (wages + benefits)

Booth Hours per Day

hours

Number of hours booth is open each day

Event vendor ROI calculation

Net Profit

$1,190.00

Total profit after all costs

Return on Investment

17,000.0%

Return on investment percentage

Break-Even Daily Sales

71 units

Total sales needed to break even

Gross Margin

60.0%

Gross profit margin percentage

Financial Summary

Total Sales150 units

Total Revenue$3,750.00

Variable Costs$1,500.00

Gross Profit$2,250.00

Gross Margin60.0%

Net Margin31.7%

Daily Break-even23.6 sales/day

Net Profit$1,190.00

Profitable Event

This event is projected to generate $1,190.00 in net profit with a 170.0% ROI. This indicates a financially viable opportunity.

Break-even Requirements

You need to sell 71 total units to break even, which equals 23.6 sales per day on average. Your projected sales are 150 units.

Gross Margin Analysis

Your gross margin of 60.0% is reasonable for most event vending scenarios. Focus on optimizing fixed costs to improve overall profitability.

Excellent ROI

An ROI of 170.0% suggests this is a highly profitable event worth participating in. This return significantly exceeds typical investment benchmarks.

Sales Performance vs Break-even

Your projected 150 total sales exceed the break-even requirement by 79 units, providing a good profit buffer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I include in my event vendor costs?

Include booth rental fees, travel expenses, accommodation, meals, setup/display costs, product inventory, staff time, and any additional fees like electricity or WiFi.

How much should I expect to sell at a trade show?

Sales vary widely by industry, event size, and product type. Research past attendee numbers, survey vendors from previous years, and start with conservative estimates of 1-5% visitor conversion rates.

What's a good ROI for event vending?

Aim for at least 200-300% ROI (2-3x your investment) to account for time and risk. Successful vendors often achieve 400-1000% ROI at well-matched events, but this includes long-term customer value.

How do I choose profitable events to attend?

Research target audience alignment, past vendor success stories, attendee demographics, event reputation, and cost-to-potential-sales ratios. Start with smaller, local events to test your approach.

Should I factor in long-term customer value?

Yes, many event sales lead to repeat customers and referrals. Track customers acquired at events and factor in their lifetime value when calculating true ROI.

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Results are estimates for informational purposes only. Consult professionals for important decisions.

Event Vendor ROI Calculator

Key Benefits:

How It Works

How It Works

Enter Event Costs

Set Sales Projections

Calculate ROI

Compare Events