Shawn Conner offers five reasons to check out this year’s West Coast Women’s Show.

1.

Fashion

Western Canada’s largest women’s event, the Annual West Coast Women’s Show, boasts an annual attendance of 24,000. This year’s three-day exhibition features 400 pop-up boutiques and three stages. Themes include home decor, health, careers and travel. Fashion highlights include Fashion Truck Alley. Yes, think food trucks but with clothes.

2.

Martini lounge

On Friday and Saturday evenings attendees can enjoy the Main Stage Fashion Show and the Hall-of-Flame Calendar Fashion Show (featuring B.C. firefighters) from the comfort of the Martini Lounge.

3.

Chef Massimo Capra The celebrity chef (Gourmet Escapes, Restaurant Makeover and Chopped Canada) does his thing on the Chef’s Kitchen Stage (Saturday). Over the weekend, the stage hosts other top chefs, as well as three of the hall-of-flame firefighters (The People’s Choice, Mr. Congeniality and Mr. February). Other foodie events include A Taste of Italy (seminars, pairings and tastings), and the World of Taste (new food and beverage products, ideas for entertaining and recipes).

4.

Female power

In the Women Empowering Women panel series, top female speakers talk about adversity and how their struggles informed who they are. Author and on-air personality Aeryon Ashlie, life coach DeeAnn Lensen and naturopath Shabita Teja are among the guests. Vancouver singer Bif Naked headlines the series with an intimate chat (Saturday at 4:30 p.m.).

5.

Michelle Stafford

Live on the main stage Sunday, the Daytime Emmy Award winner (The Young and the Restless and General Hospital) dispenses advice and wisdom, and takes questions from the audience.