GAAM Holiday Nerd Market

What is the GAAM Holiday Nerd Market?

The GAAM Holiday Nerd Market is a crowdfunded holiday market event put together by the GAAM team, with a focus on nerdy small businesses. We plan on consistently curating 30+ local businesses with nerdy stuff to sell right before the holidays!

We’ve gone this route to create a dedicated, financially inclusive market, that is put together by the people, for the people, with free general attendance tickets, and the option for vendors to achieve full refunds (or donate their fees to fund good things like this, happening in the community).

Hopefully, this tradition to showcase all the creative, nerdy entrepreneurs and small businesses in our community will continue, and live as a fun gathering of our nerdy family.

Our Mission

To carefully curate markets that lift the wonderful small businesses and creators that comprise the nerd and gaming communities, while inspiring inclusion, acceptance, and good will to others.

We want to make those positive moments and opportunities accessible to ALL, by making it FREE to attendees, AND to Small Businesses (vendors).

To Continue to “Do Good”.

Testimonials

I love the Gaam Holiday Market! Everyone is so supportive and welcoming. The event organizers put a lot of time and care into giving back to the community!

Angela Pisano
Angiepuff Art
Every single staff member at the Nerd Market was spectacular- all incredibly kind, helpful people, fostering a cheerful, lively holiday experience for both those attending and those vending at the market! The most awesome and attentive staff I’ve ever met going to an event like this, hands down!!

Marin Smith
Strikixit Studios
i’ve been working cons/flea markets/other events with my business for over 2 years now, and i can say with utmost confidence that this event has been THE SMOOTHEST event i’ve ever brought my candles to, hands down! it’s the heart of the volunstars that truly sets the holiday nerd market leagues above the rest. a large majority of events i’ve worked are run by staff who are only concerned about money, and it shows in how they treat their artists and vendors, but the gaam volunstars actually WANT you to succeed, to be comfortable, and have fun!! because of that, a volunstar is always easy to find, if there’s something they’re not sure about they’re quick to find someone who has an answer for you, and they’re typically the ones who are approaching YOU to make sure you have everything you need. i couldn’t recommend supporting this event enough!

Ashe Delaney
emberworks by ashe
Thank you for allowing us to get booth refunds. I was going to let y’all keep it but the week before the Market, a friend of mine has a seizure and drove off a cliff on his way to TX. The Uhaul with his entire art studio inside was completely destroyed and he didn’t have enough insurance to cover everything. With the money I knew I could get back from market fees, I bought him a new digital drawing tablet and some art supplies to get him back on his feet. The booth refund will be used to reimburse me. So, technically it was donated and went to a great cause. Thank you so much GAAM for giving that artist a second chance.

Jessica Cone
Vee Art Studios
The Nerd Market is a great event for vendors with unique gift items. The GAAM team made the whole experience from load in to load out easy. They did a great job at having a consistent flow of attendees in the vendor area throughout the entire market. This was one of the best small events that I’ve been a part of, and I look forward to joining more of their Nerd Markets in the future!

Cassandra Pohlhammer
Pure Alchemy Soaps
Working with the GAAM team is always an amazing time. They go out of their way to make every event an experience, not just for attendees but also for the artists/vendors as well. The commitment for doing good and raising up the local community is always 100% every time.

Sage Youngblood
Rosemary Faire Creations

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Local Economic Impact

Small Businesses Helped

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Toys Donated

Holiday Nerd Market’s Origin Story

How it started

Many of the supporters of GAAM, as well as members of the GAAM team, were small business owners, and pillars of the community. There was a substantial amount of passion and potential, but not many opportunities for them to highlight their skills and connect their dreams to a fiscal reality.

There were markets for traditional goods, art markets, artisanal markets, conventions, but nothing that focused purely on the small business owners and creators that were passionate and engaged in pop culture and gaming.

With the help of friends and volunteers, we decided to uplift our community by creating together the first Holiday Nerd Market in 2018 to fill the void and help lift our people.

Since then, we’ve continued to champion small businesses and nerdy culture, by consistantly aligning good deeds with economic opportunities.

Visit GAAM Holiday Nerd Market

FAQ

What’s your goal?

– To raise enough funding to keep the event financially inclusive, and create a family friendly nerdy event that supports our local community and economy during the holidays.

Wait, you said family (you should have said GAAM Fam)…does that mean I can bring my kids?

Yes, this is an all-ages GAAM event!

What is the “Do Good” part of the GAAM Market?

– We will be collecting toys to be donated for the holiday season. With each toy you donate, you will receive a raffle ticket to win some wonderful nerdy prizes! We will also be fundraising to keep creating events that support a healthy, positive, and inclusive community.

Lastly, we made it so we can offer refunds to small businesses who are trying to get by, and make it financially inclusive, so anybody can attend, no matter their economic circumstance.

What do I get with General Admission at the GAAM Holiday Nerd Market and how much does it cost?

– General Admission at the GAAM Holiday Nerd Market depends on support. It includes scheduled entry to the market itself, and access to all the GAAM activities on the venue property. Tickets MIGHT be $10 at the door…but we’re hoping through community support this will be a free event AGAIN!

What is there to do for attendees?

– The main draw is the vendors and artists; this is a nerd market! There will also be gaming stations, a costume contest, crafting for kids, family activities, holiday-themed selfie spots, lounge areas, food, a toy drive, and whatever else we can pull together with the community!

GAAM Holiday Nerd Market

What is the GAAM Holiday Nerd Market?