As many as 1,000 women expected at expo

By SHERI McWHIRTER
smcwhirter@record-eagle.com

August 22, 2008 12:00 am

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ACME -- Throngs of women are expected to descend on the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme this weekend for the inaugural Grand Traverse Woman's Expo.

"I'm hoping there will be carloads of gals coming out and having some fun," said Kandace Chapple, co-publisher of Grand Traverse Woman magazine, one of the event sponsors.

Organizers say as many as 1,000 women may attend the event today and Saturday that's billed as a collection of entertaining and educational sessions for modern women.

It's to be an expo with attitude, Chapple said.

There will be poker, Pilates and perfect eye makeup workshops, plus others, from gardening and exercise to more serious topics like business and anti-stress techniques. Women can also shop for clothing, accessories and jewelry.

"I would really like to see women come together and maybe try something they've never tried before, like kick-boxing, Pilates or hula hoop exercise. I'm going to try that this weekend," Chapple said.

Elk Rapids resident Marcy Ford signed up to attend and volunteer at Woman's Expo. She, like Chapple, intends to check out the hula hoop exercise demonstration, as well as pick up some pointers at financial planning workshops.

"I just thought it would be a fun way to meet people and see people. There's going to be some interesting topics," Ford said.

The first-time event met with enough interest that additional space was needed at the Resort, but many vendors still did not make the cut and are on a waiting list for a follow-up in September 2009, said Debbie Wentworth, event coordinator.

"It's very diversified. There are plenty of subjects women are interested in, from the fluffy to the more serious," Wentworth said.

The event is presented by WOW! Up North Women's Only Weekend and Cedar Run Eye Center, along with the magazine and other sponsors.

Tickets are $5 for both days, or four people for $15.

Visit www.grandtraversewoman.com for more information, or call (231) 276-5105.