From my experience the Best Vending Spot at Daytona Beach is the International Speedway.  Spots are always limited, so make your reservations early. I’m only providing this information out of good will to help vendors out, and I have no association with the organization, I don’t get any commissions or special deals by doing this.  After all I’m a vendor supplier selling wholesale patches.  The more you sell the more often you will come see me to get more stock. Be sure to visit my wholesale store which you must have an account for.  But its very simple all you have to do is sign up and let me know your company details.  I will adjust your account and you can easily place an order directly off the web, with no shipping charges, no membership fees.  One thing though, I do not extend credit to people.  This is thanks to those that took advantage of me when I first got in the business and never paid me back.  I will be sure to include a list of people you do not want to deal with sometime in the future.

Well back to Vending spots in Daytona. Why is the International Speedway in Daytona the best spot you might ask yourselves.  Why not be on Main Street?  Well I’m only speaking out of my own experience.  And to tell you the truth, Main Street has always been on a constant decline in sales year after year.  One thing hasn’t changed though, if not has been on the rising side, and that is the Rent.   I’ve seen people book their spots way in advance for spots on Main Street, paying thousands of dollars for a 20×20 spot.  When in fact last year (2009) in Biketoberfest as well as the Main Bike Week in Spring, store owners were practically begging people to rent their excess space giving them away for a fraction of what they would have charged months before.

What other places are there then.  Well there is Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona located at the intersection of US-1 and I-95 in Ormond Beach.  There was such a big hype when it first opened back a few years ago.  It was open until almost past midnight everyday.  Now you would lucky to find anyone there past the Harley Store’s closing hour.

I would recommend vendors to stay clear off Ridgewood (US-1) around South Daytona.  That place has been dead the past few years.  The only place that might be somewhat good is the Last Resort Bar and Camp Ground, and you want to be in the camp ground and not on the side of the road.  That’s a big no no from my observations.

Beach Street had also been dead for quite sometime.  However, I cannot say the same for 2009.  Promoter Brian Holt had done a good job organizing vending spots and attractions in the lot right across from the Harley Store on Beach Street.  Finally, someone is putting some effort in bringing the action back to Beach Street.

In conclusion I would say, get your place at the Speedway.  Every tourist stops by at the speedway and they don’t mind spending money.  I suppose it’s because it is right there as you enter Daytona off the US-92 Exit from the I-95 Highway.  First stop means Biker’s still have their pockets full.  I’ve seen people travel all the way from Australia, England, South America just for this event.  Then I asked myself, well if I was a Biker and had my Bike parked in the garage all winter long, where better to go then warm, sunny Florida.   Daytona Bike Week is strategically scheduled to take place right when winter ends and spring begins. Although there is not really such thing as winter in Florida, 10 years living here, and I’ve never seen it snow.  It is perhaps the most perfect time to pay a visit to Daytona, not too hot or sticky, just perfect clear blue skies.

We hope to see more Bikers and Vendors especially Vendors offering originality.  There really isn’t much point for a small vendor hoping to make money by selling Event T-Shirt.  The market for that is extremely competitive, and the big guys will clean you out.  Making money is not easy, but it is possible when you offer original and quality items.

I’ve also found this nice informative site that has some information on different landlords that offer vending on their properties around the Daytona Beach Are.

Editors Note:  All information displayed here in are my personal opinions based on personal experience, they are not hard facts.  Don’t come crying to me that you couldn’t make any business at so and so spot.  I don’t predict the future, I just let you know what I’ve seen based on past information.  Each and every location can be different from year to year, it totally depends on promoters.