By DON DARE
6 On Your Side Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- The Fun Family Expo, scheduled for Knoxville this weekend, has been postponed, leaving some vendors wondering what went wrong.
According to its Web site, the latest products, services and information were to be available at the Expo Center on Clinton Highway.
Instead, 6 On Your Side has learned the Canadian promotion company involved with the expo has called off at least two similar events in other cities.
Now, the promoter has vendors' money and some want to know how they can get it refunded.
Small business owners whose products and services cater to moms and kids were a big part of the expo. But two days ago, vendors were told not to show up Friday.
From her home office, Misty Biddle arranges cooking events and shows for Pampered Chef, a franchise she co-owns.
Misty and her business partner had paid to be a vendor at the Fun Family Expo. "It was supposed to be all around families and moms, which is something great for my company."
Misty was told the Fun Family Expo is on hold, at least until this fall. "When we didn't get any confirmation, any packets in the mail, when the April 2 deadline came around, we tried to get a hold of them because we didn't want to send them more money."
Managers at the Expo Center say the promoter postponed the expo last week. But vendors were only told this week.
A similar women's expo in St. Paul, Minnesota and a family expo in Toledo, Ohio, both by the same promoter, were canceled last fall.
Also, a Fun Family Expo was planned in January at the Sevierville Events Center, but it never got off the ground either.
6 On Your Side spoke with the promoter, Linda Buchanan, by phone recently in Nova Scotia, Canada.
"We are now rescheduling this one and we are trying to find an accurate date," Buchanan said.
"Will the vendors be getting any of their money back if they opt not to participate in the August event?" 6 On Your Side asked. "Absolutely, they will," Buchanan said.
"It's definitely very suspicious, in the other cities where she (the promoter) did not come through with the shows," says Mike Biddle, Misty's husband.
"If you look at their terms and conditions, it says here, in the unlikely event if they cancel, then they will pay you in a full six to eight weeks," Misty says.
However, vendors should go on record with their credit company now and dispute the charge.
"This expo is not going to happen. If you paid for a booth, you need to contact your credit card company immediately and PayPal," Misty says.
Tuesday, an unhappy Linda Buchanan left a message for Misty. "It's not true what you have accused us of. I feel you owe us an apology."
Misty disagrees. "You know, I don't think I've handled it badly."
Misty believes the Fun Family Expo could likely have been successful if it had been handled by a local promoter.
She advises other vendors, "I would say, be careful when signing up for stuff like this."
The promoter has spoken with the Knoxville Expo Center about rescheduling the event for the second weekend in October.
However, no agreement is in place yet and right now, the promoter is in default.
A similar proposal was made in Ohio last fall. It fell through and 6 On Your Side was told the promoter defaulted there as well.
If you have a consumer question or problem, call the 6 On Your Side hotline at (865)-633-5974.
"I would say, be careful when signing up for stuff like this," Misty Biddle says.
