TBM Summertime Weather Bulletin

Summer Market Season is now in session, along with Florida summer weather patterns of extra heat, humidity, and random pop-up showers for the flowers!

We are writing with an important Summertime Weather Bulletin for all to review. The safety of our vendors, market shoppers, and team members is always paramount in our planning and operational processes.

Bulletin Topics:

1. Weather-related delayed openings/cancellations of a market date.

2. Vendor responsibilities and communication.  

3. Staying Safe -  onsite protocols for sudden storms and heat.  

Now through October, Florida forecasts often show a high probability of rain during some part of the upcoming market days ahead.  We also recognize that weather patterns change so quickly in Florida.  TBM’s protocol for weather monitoring is to review hour-by-hour reports daily as we approach each upcoming market date.  

If inclement Weather is in the forecast we will either issue a delayed opening or a market closure.  

Here’s the breakdown: 

Weather-related delayed openings/cancellations of a market date. In the event we will either need to announce a delayed opening or a cancellation of a market day, our protocol for timing and communication is as follows:

• TBM management will make decisions for any weather-related schedule modifications by 5:30 a.m. on the day of the market for the markets operating that day.
  
  

• Notification to vendors of either a delayed opening or a market closure will be sent via text and email through Marketspread messenger and will be posted via social media pages by 6 am.
  
  

• Delayed Opening - market will open no later than 11 am, and vendor load-in will begin between 9 and 10 am.

• Market Cancellation -  A half-day credit will be provided for all paid invoices for this date for all vendors scheduled for the day. The credit will be applied towards your next day of rental at this market location.
  
  

• Payment Reminder: If the market closes early due to declining weather conditions, vendor fees collected are final and will not be returned or credited.

Vendor Responsibilities & Communication: 

We operate rain or shine: Please note that a market will continue in light rain or even have a delayed opening due to weather conditions at setup. We will continue to operate the advertised market unless the weather conditions worsen onsite and it becomes a dangerous situation to continue with the market.

Check for TBM Weather-Related Notifications no later than 6:30 am in any of the following 3 places:

• • TBM Social Media Pages

    • TBM Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tampabaymarket/ 

    • TBM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayMarkets/

  • Email notification sent from Marketspread Messenger

  • Text message sent via Marketspread Messenger

    • Please make sure your Marketspread profile contains reliable, current information for your primary email address and cell phone #.
      
      

• Keep in touch with the market manager for your location.  Our phone numbers are listed on the vendor logistics for each market.
  
  

• Make sure your cell number is listed in your profile on your application on Marketspread because we will send out text alerts when needed.
  
  

• All vendors need to make the best decisions for their business. If you decide not to participate, advise the market manager of your decision immediately, and we will adjust the market footprint accordingly.

If you decide not to attend the market as scheduled, please take these steps:

• Send a comment via Marketspread to the market at which you are booked. We will be checking marketspread through the night and into the next morning.

• Send a text to the market managers on site before 7 am on the market day.

Our guidelines are created to ensure a consistently safe, equitable, and quality

experience for all involved.  

Each week, we ask that you please continue to watch the radar and make the best decision for your business. 

Apps that we find useful - Bay News 9, Klystron Radar hour by hour, and NOAA Weather app *Weather.com does not always update quickly enough, and it's not as reliable. 

Mikes Weather Page on Facebook is also a good option. 

In the event that we issue a delayed opening and a passing shower or thunderstorm arrives during the time of market operation, a warning from market management will arrive via text and on the ground.