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Victoria Women’s Expo showcases the latest trends

Over 100 vendors feature lots of beauty, health, food, jewelry products and more
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Victoria Women’s Expo takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pearkes Recreation Centre. (Spencer Pickles/Black Press Media)

The Victoria Women’s Expo is in full swing today at the Pearkes Recreation Centre.

There are more than 100 vendors set up, displaying a multitude of different products and services, including jewelry, clothing, food, fitness advice, and beauty merchandise.

One of the vendors includes Thirty-One Gifts, which sells personalized bags, thermals, gift items and home decor. Michelle Brekky, senior consultant with Thirty-One gifts, said the company attended the expo last year and it was a huge success, so they wanted to come back again this year.

“My favourite part about the women’s expo is getting to meet all the amazing women, including both the exhibitors and the ladies that come to our booth,” said Brekky.

Another exhbit is Tasteful Essetials, which sells a variety of gluten-free hot sauces, rubs, jams, spices, pickled items and other food products.

Robbin Vance, owner of the small, Parksville-based company, says the Women’s Expo is a great way to market her business, as well as get to know other women in business.

“I think this event is empowering for women, and inspires them to go out and create businesses on their own,” said Vance.

Jennifer O’Keefe, an attendee of the event is a women in business herself, so she wanted to come and check out other businesses.

O’Keefe brought her daughter along, who is hoping to travel after high school, to talk with some of the the travel vendors.

“The travel ladies gave us a lot of very helpful information and pamphlets so that has probably been our favourite booth so far,” said O’Keefe.

Another Attendee, Julianne Lamarche, said she wanted to attend the expo to see all the new and different products on the market right now.

“I love Women’s Expo, I go to all of them, they are so much fun,” said Lamarche. “I like just roaming around, and seeing all the vendors have to offer. I find it interesting and relaxing.”

Held against the background of the feminist #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, show producer Virginia Ritchie said the show will highlight how women can take charge of their lives, regardless of their current circumstances.

The event will include so-called PowHER talks, panel presentations featuring women from different spheres of life who will be discussing their experiences in overcoming adversity on the way towards living fuller lives.

Perhaps the most prominent of these speakers will be Robin Farrell, a Victoria radio personality, whose presentation “Get bitter…or GET BETTER! How to lose your life and get it back again in 12 months or less” will detail her broadcasting career.

Other presenters include Jill Van Gyn, founder of FATSO Peanut Butter and writer for Eat Magazine, who will be talking about entrepreneurship, and Kristin Greffard, owner and lead instructor of Sheepdog Self-Protection, whose seminar will show women basic fundamental skills with which they will be able to fight during a physical encounter.

Other speakers, such as Dr. Kamran Forghani, an anti-aging expert, and Brad King, author of Fat Wars, will respectively offer medical and nutritional advice.

The event today closes at 5 p.m. Doors reopen Sunday at 10 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors.

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Victoria Women’s Expo takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pearkes Recreation Centre. (Spencer Pickles/Black Press Media)