Event Planning and Production Intern
| Organization: | Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) |
| Job Type/Description: | Event Planning and Production Intern, Christkindlmarket Des Moines (Remote) |
| Start/End Dates: | 1Apr2022 – 15Dec2022 |
| Schedule: | Monday – Friday, some evenings for optional, scheduled online meetings |
| Time Commitment: | Approximately 5 hours/week, scaling up to optional 8hrs/day during the festival and set up/tear down |
| Compensation: | Unpaid |
| Location: | Remote. Optional on-site support during the festival and set up/tear down: 28Nov2022 – 5Dec2022 |
You could be the next intern with Christkindlmarket Des Moines!
Who we are: The mission of IECC is to connect Iowans with European traditions, language learning and cultural experiences. Our signature event is Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM).
Inspired by a European tradition, Christkindlmarket Des Moines provides an outdoor venue for vendors to sell European handcrafted wares, foods and beverages from traditional wooden huts. Attendees learn about European culture through children’s activities, demonstrations & live entertainment. Since it began in 2016, CDM has grown to become the second largest festival of its kind in the US (based on average daily attendance). The popular outdoor event takes place at Principal Park’s Main Lot.
Here is your chance to build on your skills and turn what you’ve learned into support for a large-scale special event.
General Responsibilities
- Support all aspects of organizing the USs’ second largest holiday market on-site (optional) and virtually
- Assist with activities related to event planning and coordination, for example, the logistics behind the scenes, organizing entertainment for the market, and performing important administrative tasks
- Event marketing activities such as media outreach, graphic design and social media assistance
- Sponsorship research
- Optional on-site market support, including interacting with visitors, assisting with the support of vendor’s needs, and helping to prepare the venue for attendee experiences and performances
- Interact with visitors and attendees in person (optional) and virtually
Candidates should possess the following:
- Creativity, organization skills and attention to detail
- Good work ethic, ability to multi-task, positive attitude
- Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment
- Strong research, communication, and organizational skills (verbal and written)
- Strong interest in full-cycle event planning and behind the scenes logistics
- Good knowledge of Microsoft office programs, Dropbox, Google Drive and MailChimp are of advantage
- Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign are of advantage
- Strong customer service skills
This Internship will offer you the opportunity to become more familiar with large-scale, outdoor festival planning and production, working with external vendors, sponsors and volunteers. We hope you will help Christkindlmarket Des Moines deliver magic for the holidays!
To apply: Send resume to [email protected] along with one long-form writing sample (press release, blog post, etc.) and 5 short-form writing samples (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram posts).
2022 Call For Vendors
Iowa European Cultural Connection invites you to become a vendor at the 7th Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 1 – 4, 2022 at Principal Park.
This beloved, community-supported cultural experience attracts approximately 16,250 daily visitors from around the Midwest. (2021 total festival attendance: 65,000)
The quality of a traditional Christmas market depends on maintaining a high standard for the vendor products it offers. Christkindlmarket Des Moines is no different. We’re dedicated to immersing visitors in a world of folklore and craftsmanship as well as enticing them with traditional and seasonal culinary specialties.
Our vendor guide will give you an overview of the application process and requirements. As soon as you fill out the application, it will be reviewed internally. You will receive feedback by March 31, 2022 at the latest.
2022 Vendor Guide
2022 Vendor Application
2022 Electricity Request Form
We are interested in products typically offered at Christkindlmarkets throughout the world, which may include (but are not limited to): decorative fresh wreaths and centerpieces; one-of-a-kind handmade items; holiday ornaments of all colors, materials and sizes; nutcrackers; cuckoo clocks; beer steins; wooden toys; jewelry; wood carvings; pre-packaged European sweets and treats; sausages; sauerkraut; potato pancakes; waffles; crepes; stollen; gingerbread; roasted nuts; cakes and pastries; German smokers; candles; wooden nativity scenes; items made from hand-blown glass; clay and ceramic pottery; tea light holders; Eastern European/Slavic handcrafted gifts, such as nesting dolls and papier-mâché lacquer boxes; lace; leather products; beer and wine glasses; handwoven garments and more.
Vendor Testimonials
Wild Cherry Spoon Co has vended across the Midwest. From popular indie craft markets in Chicago to small first time shows. Christkindl Market Des Moines blew them all away in terms of revenue, participation, crowd size, after show sales, interesting things to see and do at the market, and volunteer support. We would love to be able to attend every subsequent market and word of advice to vendors; plan for your wildest sales expectations and then bring 4x the inventory…it sells out fast!
Tim McGuire, Wild Cherry Spoon
This show for three years has exceeded expectations! A very festive atmosphere, the volunteers were exceptional, and our needs were met by the organizers. Sales were excellent. We have been selling roasted nuts for 16 years and this is our best show. Looking forward to next year. Thanks to those that attended and to the people that put this together.
Greg Lincoln, Top of the Hill Nuts
I’ve been fortunate to sell at both the inaugural 2016 and the 2017 Christkindlmarkets. As a vendor in the Des Moines area, selling at 45 events in 2017, I can tell you this market simply blows away any other show in terms of revenue and after market sales. The hardworking and dedicated organizers have created a festive, well attended, and well organized three-day community event. Selling at the Christkindlmarket is exceedingly profitable and its just plain fun to be part of the Christmas festivities!
Betty Chamness Trost, Three Smooth Stones
We had a great time & experience this year at The Christkindlmarket. We “Curbin Cuisine” were one of the food vendors & had a busy fun weekend. Sales were good, plenty of Joy & Christmas Spirit all weekend from the market! Looking forward for 2018, had a blast!
Jarrod Fontanini, Curbin Cuisine
I was especially impressed with the advertising for Christkindlmarket Des Moines—I think the organizers did a great job of getting the word out through many different avenues. The parking for unloading was easy to get to and convenient to the booth location. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful. The booths made for a great ambience, and we loved the signs! My one reservation about the event was being outside because I am not at all a fan of cold weather, but the heaters in the booths made it comfortable enough, and the crowds were terrific all weekend.
Pickle Creek Herbs
In 2016 we set up at 125+ events around Iowa, and out of all of those events, Christkindlmarket Des Moines was our #1 event for gross sales. When accounting for the time spent at the event (sales/hour) and the cost of the booth (sales/event cost), it was also among our best events of the year (in the top 5). There were other benefits to this market as well. One is that we got to meet a lot of new customers. We’ve been vending at events in Des Moines for about 8 years, and at Christkindlmarket we sold items to people who had never heard of us before. We also could trace several visitors to our web site who clicked on a link to us from the Christkindlmarket web site. I had high hopes for this event, and in terms of both sales and marketing, this event exceeded all my expectations.
Since this was the first year, I’m excited to see how next year goes. I think it started out really well and can only get better, and I am definitely coming back if they will have me! A big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen!!
Pickle Creek Herbs
The first Christkindlmarket Des Moines was one of the most fun and well organized first-time shows we’ve had the pleasure of participating in. We were provided with ample information before the show, so setup was a breeze, and the how cute were the booths?!
It’s always tough to predict how many people will come to a new event, but the people of Des Moines turned out in droves – the event was consistently busy all three days of the show.
So many little touches made for a really great show – the live music kept both customers and vendors in good spirits, even through cold and rainy weather. The food and hot beverages were huge draws to bring in more people along with great local products and holiday atmosphere.
It was a great time to see people just enjoy the start to the holidays, enjoy time with each other and say cheers to just being here in Des Moines.
Overall it was a great event that we hope to participate in for years to come!
Tammy & Adam, The Red Door Press
We are very pleased with the Christkindlmarket. It was very well organized and everyone one was very helpful. They contacted us often to see if we had any needs and fill our requests. I was very happy with the attendance and it ws a very positive atmosphere. Looking forward to next year.
Greg Lincoln, Top of the Hill Nuts
Worldly Goods loved being part of the inaugural Christkindlemarket! The volunteers were fun and professional to work with and did their best to accommodate all situations that came up this first year. We look forward to the future; seeing old friends and meeting new ones as the market continues to grow and expand!
Worldly Goods
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the first annual Christkindlmarket in Des Moines. The volunteers and staff did a wonderful job of organizing this Christmas Market, and took great care of the vendors. This was a fun, family-friendly event that had something to offer everyone. We look forward to being a part of this cultural experience next year.
Kathleen Gill, Royal Mile
2022 Call for Performers
Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) invites you to become a performer at the 7th annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 1 – 4, 2022 at Principal Park.
If you have applied in the past, but were not accepted, we encourage you to complete an application each year. The programming committee takes several factors into consideration when choosing the slate of performers each year.
Performances typically seen at Christkindlmarkets include (but are not limited to): European folk music players, European folk music singers, yodeling, guitarist, accordionist, clogging, folk dancers, Scottish pipes & drums, high school choirs, children’s choirs, violinists, bell choirs, church choirs, storytellers, brass bands, alpine horn blowers, marionette/puppeteers, Schuhplattler Verein, vocal performances in European languages, harpists, etc.
Yuletide Hall is a four-sided, forced-air heated tent at a location to be determined by the CDM event planning committee at Principal Park’s Main Lot. A lighted stage within the tent will be provided. The size of the stage in 2021 was 16x32x32″ tall.
Our performer guide will give you an overview of the needs assessment process and requirements. As soon as you fill out the needs assessment, it will be reviewed internally.
What is the timeline for the process?
- Fill out the online needs assessment below by March 1, 2022
- Send photographs and links to audio files/videos representing you or your group to [email protected] (REQUIRED; your application is not complete until we receive this)
- Receive feedback from CDM staff by March 15, 2022
CDM 2022 Performer Information Guide
CDM 2022 Performer Needs Assessment
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Danish Brotherhood Des Moines
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction has returned this year with ten local non-profits to support while enjoying the market experience.
Adding some Danish flare for a second year, the Danish Brotherhood Des Moines will be displaying their “Julehygee” tree. Translated as “Christmas fun,” this tree spreads joy and contentment.
The Danish Brotherhood was chartered November 26, 1884 with a mission to encourage Danish tradition, support members, and other community nonprofits. The money raised through this Silent Auction tree will be used for awarding scholarships.
If you would like to bid on the “Julehygee” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 2nd-5th. Bidding is available via text and online at www.event.gives/cdm2021 starting December 2nd at 5pm.
For more information on Danish Brotherhood Des Moines, please visit their Facebook page.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Alliance Française of Central Iowa
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction has returned this year with ten local non-profits to support while enjoying the market experience.
Returning for a second year, Alliance Française of Central Iowa will nourish your mind and satisfy your sweet tooth with a “Madeline et des madeleines” tree. You will find this tree by its blue, yellow and gold color scheme and assortment of miniature Eiffel Towers. It celebrates the beloved children’s book “Madeline” by Ludwig Bemelmans, of which includes a copy. In addition, it comes decorated with the popular French mini cakes called “madeleines.
Alliance Française of Central Iowa was established in 1994, and is part of the Alliance Française global network that dates from 1883, when the Alliance de Paris was created. Today, there are over 1200 Alliance chapters established in 112 countries. The Alliance is an all-volunteer, non-profit, educational, and cultural organization whose mission is to help foster friendship and collaboration between the people of Central Iowa and the French speaking world. They work to develop knowledge and appreciation of the French culture and the French language.
If you would like to bid on the “Madeline et des madeleines” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 2nd-5th. Bidding is available via text and online at www.event.gives/cdm2021 starting December 2nd at 5pm.
For more information on Alliance Française of Central Iowa, please visit their website.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: A Home for EveryBunny
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction has returned this year with ten local non-profits to support while enjoying the market experience.
A Home for EveryBunny is joining us for a third year with a “Rabbit Royalty” tree. Decorated is silver and gold, this tree will be fit for the Kings and Queens looking to support Iowa’s only rabbit rescue.
Celebrating their fifth anniversary, A Home for EveryBunny has grown exponentially from their humble beginnings helping over 360 rabbits find their forever homes. By relying on the tireless efforts of almost fifty volunteers, they provide the specialized care that rabbits need for their health and success through their network of foster homes. With rabbits being the third most common animal to end up in a shelter or rescue, there is a constant need for more help and resources. They also provide personalized attention to each adopter, so that they can find the pet that will best fit their home for years to come.
A Home for EveryBunny will use proceeds for ongoing operations and the specialized veterinary care that rabbits need. In addition, they are raising money for a much-needed van for the rescue, which would be invaluable for supply runs and rescues throughout the state.
If you would like to bid on the “Rabbit Royalty” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 2nd-5th. Bidding is available via text and online at www.event.gives/cdm2021 starting December 2nd at 5pm.
For more information on A Home for EveryBunny, please visit their website.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Veterans in Agriculture
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction has returned this year with ten local non-profits to support while enjoying the market experience.
Joining us for a fifth year with a “Farmhouse Christmas” is Veterans in Agriculture (VIA). Featuring farm and farmhouse themed ornaments primarily in red and white with hints of blue representing veterans’ transitioning into agriculture. The colors are also a nod to the military service organizations utilizing VIA’s services.
Veterans in Agriculture received nonprofit status in 2014 and have used their work to empower veterans to thrive in agriculture. Forty-six percent of the Nation’s military is from rural America, which translates to a tremendous amount of knowledge in that field.
VIA has gained approval from the US Department of Labor for two registered apprenticeships. The Silent Auction proceeds will be used to support this programming as they work to train the next generation of farmers and agricultural leaders.
If you would like to bid on the “Farmhouse Christmas” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 2nd-5th. Bidding is available via text and online at www.event.gives/cdm2021 starting December 2nd at 5pm.
For more information on Veterans In Agriculture, please visit their website.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: The Daughters of Norway- Eva Nansen
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction has returned this year with ten local non-profits to support while enjoying the market experience.
Daughters of Norway- Eva Nansen Lodge is joining us for a fifth year and giving a tree “Full of Hearts.” There are many things to love about Norway and the other Scandinavian Countries, and it shows through the time and attention given to every ornament on this tree made by lodge sisters. Don’t forget about those gnomes roaming Scandinavian homes (and trees) spreading a little bit of luck along the way.
The Daughters of Norway put their hearts into searching and learning all things about their heritage through speakers, programs, crafts, music, food, traditions and more. Eva Nansen Lodge 46 became the first Iowa lodge to bear the name Daughters of Norway on November 5, 2006 with forty-six charter members representing Norway, Denmark, and Sweden ancestries. Membership is available not only to Norwegians, but women with Danish, Swedish, Finnish, and Icelandic connections. The Lodge Sisters pride themselves in offering educational and festive events, cultural programs and activities, and social gatherings. Lifelong Nordic friendships have developed while sharing common interests.
If you would like to bid on the “Full of Hearts” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 2nd-5th. Bidding is available via text and online at www.event.gives/cdm2021 starting December 2nd at 5pm.
For more information on The Daughters of Norway, please visit their website.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Sons of Norway Marsteinen Lodge
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction has returned this year with ten local non-profits to support while enjoying the market experience.
Decorating for their fourth year, SoN will treat us to a “Red, White, and Blue” tree representing the countries of Norway, United Sates, and Canada, where lodges are located. The decorations are mostly handmade and will include natural materials, wooden ornaments, Rosemaled ornaments, garden materials and treated paper ornaments.
Sons of Norway has been in existence for 126 years and the Marsteinen Lodge, located in Des Moines, has been around for 37 of those. They are dedicated to keeping the Norwegian culture alive and membership consists of those with Norwegian ancestry and anyone who has an interest in the culture. Christmas is the highlight of Norwegian winters. Before December 25th many towns have a Christmas market, special parties and concerts. These activities unify the communities and families with a strong tradition of special foods, music, dances, decorations, even the animals are included. The Marsteinen Lodge usually has a potluck dinner at the December meeting followed by singing and dancing around the Christmas tree. The children attending are treated to a visit from the Nisse bringing small gifts.
Silent Auction funds will be used to aid other nonprofit organizations in the community.
If you would like to bid on the “Red, White, and Blue” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 2nd-5th. Bidding is available via text and online at www.event.gives/cdm2021 starting December 2nd at 5pm.
For more information Sons of Norway, Martsteinen Lodge, please visit their website.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Serving Hands, Inc.
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction has returned this year with ten local non-profits to support while enjoying the market experience.
Decorating for their first time, Serving Hands, Inc. would like to encourage everyone to open your hearts to the world with “Loving Kindness.” Ornaments with inspirational messages remind everyone how important it is to show loving kindness in a divisive world. The tree ornaments symbolize nature with pine cones and wooden ornaments reflect the serenity that nature provides.
Since its inception in December 2018, Serving Hands, Inc. has provided 1077 meals, donated 837 hygiene items, and provided financial assistance to individuals, families, and organizations in need. As a volunteer led nonprofit, people from all walks of life serve others by providing food, personal hygiene, and financial assistance to those in need.
The holidays mean hope, love, kindness, and giving. Serving Hands, Inc hopes to impact and enrich people’s lives during this season and beyond by using the funds from the Silent Auction to further their work in the community.
If you would like to bid on the “Loving Kindness” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 2nd-5th. Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2021 starting December 2nd at 5pm.
For more information the Serving Hands, Inc., please visit their website.