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newlenoxpatriot.com LIFE & ARTS the New Lenox Patriot | April 26, 2018 | 23 Lady - A Women’s Expo is 22CM’s biggest yet Rochelle McAuliffe Freelance Reporter It was all about girl power at the Tinley Park Convention Center the morning of Saturday, April 21. Lady - A Women’s Expo, presented by 22nd Century Media and Planet Fitness, returned to the Tinley Park Convention Center for its fifth year, with more than 110 vendors and 1,000 attendees. It marked the biggest incarnation of the event yet. From cooking demonstrations to fashion boutiques to insurance agents, this expo had something for every woman. Whether you were looking to kick back and relax for the day, or to get more active, there was something for everyone. Heather Warthen, chief events officer at 22nd Century Media, said her favorite part about the expo is seeing the generations of women come together at the expo. “I love seeing that we get grandmas, moms and granddaughters coming out and enjoying the day together,” Warthen said. “We want them to spend time together and bond over being a woman over the fashion, the beauty, the health screenings ... everything we have to offer here today.” The event was free, and Warthen explained that was to help the vendors to succeed by having attendees spend their money with them instead. And the fact that 22nd Century Media publishes seven newspapers in the area helps everyone involved. “Not only are the newspapers well-read, but it’s a great advertising vehicle for the expo, as well,” she said. “People will come up, and when we asked them how Tom Grotovsky, of Unforgettable Chef, does a cooking demonstration. they heard about the expo, I would say anywhere between 60-70 percent of them heard about it from the paper. It makes sense, because we’re the community newspaper, and we’re a staple in the community to bring the community together for an event like this.” Donna Miller, of Fred Astaire Dance, wanted to reach people who were interested in taking dance lessons. “A lot of them don’t even know we’re over there, so this is a good for them to get to know us,” Miller said. With her studio’s location in Mokena, she found out about the expo through The Mokena Messenger. She said she was impressed by the line of people waiting. “First hour-and-a-half was just a rush of people; it’s really good, well-attended,” Miller commented. For attendee Jennifer Wruk, her visit to the expo was not planned, but she made it work to her advantage. “I usually work Saturdays, but I had the day off,” Wruk said. “So, I was looking for something fun and interesting to do, and they have lots of nice booths that I was interested in. So, I had lots of interest in coming.” While this was not Three B’s Boutique owner Pamela Hudson’s first Lady expo, it was her first in their new mobile boutique, which is a converted truck. Hudson was a vendor at last year’s expo, selling American or woman-made jewelry, leather and textiles. As a female entrepreneur, Hudson said she understands what hardship is after being forced out of the corporate world 17 years ago, but her story and the story of Three B’s is one of rebirth. “I think it’s important to show people you can start over,” said Hudson. “You can start over, and it doesn’t Danni Allen (left) speaks with Adriel Neakarse about Planet Fitness Saturday, April 21, during Lady - A Women’s Expo at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Photos by Adam Jomant/22nd Century Media Michelle Schaper leads a yoga demonstration at publisher 22nd Century Media’s Lady - A Women’s Expo. matter when, how. It doesn’t matter how old you are. It doesn’t matter. If you have an interest and a dream, I think you can make it come true.” Warthen added, “It’s pretty amazing to put 110 vendors in a room – some of them women-owned businesses, some of them locally-owned businesses, and some of them are businesses you’ve probably never even heard of, but you’d love to know about. It’s great for us.”
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