TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Times presents its inaugural Tampa Bay Women's Expo and the event will include an opportunity to meet many of its key women staff writers and editors.
Susan Taylor Martin (Senior Correspondent/Real Estate) and Managing Editor Jennifer Orsi (10 a.m.), Diggin Florida Dirt Gardening Columnist Penny Carnathan and Tampa marketing director Lynn Cristina (11 a.m.),Times Food Critic Laura Reiley and Things to Do Editor Sharon Wynne (noon), Times Book Editor Colette Bancroft and Times Tampa Social Columnist Amy Scherzer (1 p.m.), Arts Writer Maggie Duffy and Features Editor Stephanie Hayes (2 p.m.) and Bay Magazine editor Katherine Snow Smith (3 p.m.) will rotate through at the special Times exhibit table.
This one-day special event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (Sept 29) in the Entertainment Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301, and features exhibits, shopping, entertainment, giveaways, interactive seminars and education on a wide range of women's interests such as fashion, health and wellness, travel, beauty, lifestyle and more.
Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
At the same time, WBVM/Spirit FM 90.5 will host its fifth annual Catholic Women's Conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Special Events Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds as well.
This year's conference features Father Leo Patalinghug, the founder, host and director of Plating Grace and former competitor on Throw Down! With Bobby Flay, and singer-songwriter Sarah Kroger and Sister Mary Jackson.
The event has nearly tripled in size since its started in 2014 and the planning committee at Spirit FM expects an even greater turnout this year.
"We've sold out so quickly every year; we knew we had to make room to grow," said conference organizer Danielle Wright.
"There is definitely a need and a desire for this kind of event in our community."
Nativity Catholic Church and School in Brandon is a proud, presenting sponsor of the event and supports women wanting to grow in their faith and sign on as presenting sponsors.
"We are proud to support our women of faith, so they can recharge the fire in their soul and grace in their hearts," said Robert Martin, Nativity's director of finance and operations in a prepared statement.
Contact Monique Welch at mwelch@tampabay.com.