EL CAJON SEEKS MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS FOR EAST COUNTY MARKET NIGHTS EVENTS

By Chris Berg, marketing and engagement manager, city of El Cajon

March 13, 2024 (El Cajon) —The city of El Cajon is inviting experienced and innovative event planners and organizations to submit proposals for the management of the newly conceived East County Market Nights. This weekly event, set to transform downtown El Cajon every Thursday evening, combines a certified Farmers Market with a dynamic nightlife experience, including live music, gourmet food trucks, and a beer and wine garden. Video Preview

With the aim of attracting thousands of attendees from San Diego’s East County, the City seeks to partner with a visionary management team to curate an evening that celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of the local community. The successful applicant will be responsible for the full spectrum of event management tasks, including planning, vendor management, entertainment booking, marketing, and ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.

Key Details:

• RFP Issue Date: March 13, 2024
• Proposal Submission Deadline: April 17, 2024, before 5:00 p.m.
• Event Overview: A blend of Farmers Market, live music, food trucks, and a beer and wine garden aimed at creating a lively night market atmosphere.
• Scope of Services: Comprehensive event management, including planning, execution, vendor and entertainment booking, marketing, and security.
• Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate experience in managing large-scale events, knowledge of relevant licensing and permits, and the ability to operate independently of city resources.

The City is looking for proposals that are innovative and demonstrate a clear vision for making East County Market Nights a hallmark event that provides significant value to the community. The selection criteria will focus on creativity, team expertise, implementation strategy, and financial planning.

Interested parties are encouraged to obtain the detailed RFP document from the City’s purchasing department for submission guidelines and further information on the project’s scope and requirements. Proposals must be submitted electronically by the specified deadline to purchasing@elcajon.gov.

This initiative represents a unique opportunity to contribute to the economic and cultural enrichment of El Cajon and the broader East County region. The City of El Cajon looks forward to reviewing proposals from teams eager to bring this exciting new event to life.

The city’s goal to launch the market nights is July, though that may get delayed based on the proposals received, Berg told ECM.