FUN AT WOMEN’S EXPO
Thousands came out this weekend for the 10th annual New York Women’s Expo
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. >> The 10th annual New York Women’s Expo brought thousands of area women together over the weekend.
Held Saturday and Sunday at the Siena College Marcell Athletic Complex, the event showcased 180 exhibitors, ranging from gourmet food vendors, fitness studios, wellness coaches, cosmetic companies, lawyers, investment advisors, and pet- based businesses.
“It’s not just fashion and jewelry,” said founder and organizer Suzette Anthony of East Greenbush. “It’s three- dimensional.”
This mix of exhibitors is exactly what Anthony intended when she first started the show a decade ago.
“There are a lot of home shows and there are a lot of craft shows — I wanted something in between,” she said. “There are so many decisions women make. I looked at myself — I’m looking for stuff for my kids, for my pets, for my house, for myself. So I kind of brought it all together.”
Looking ahead, Anthony said her goal for the future of the New York Women’s Expo is to keep growing in terms of attendance.
“Yesterday we had about 3,000 women,” Anthony
said on Sunday, as she took a moment to get some sparkly extensions from exhibitor New York Fairy Hair.
“One of the biggest things a lot of women will say leaving the show is ‘ I did not know this was in the Capital Region or this was in the Capital Region,’” said Anthony, noting that 80 percent of the exhibitors are locally owned businesses.
Troy- based company AMC Jewelry and Decor participated in the expo for its third year in a row.
“We are very excited to be back again,” said co- owner Carmen Agrusti. “This year we decided to double our space at the event to maximize the shopping experience for visitors.”
Agrusti said he likes how the organizers incorporate new features and hold a level of quality.
“They also don’t hold back on the marketing. You see it everywhere, leading up to the Expo,” he said. “That brings a great comfort to us as vendors.”
Young Living Essential Oils representative Teresa Alger of Saratoga Springs, exhibited at the expo for her fourth time this year.
“It’s a nice place to get a concentrated group of women together,” said Alger, noting that she is glad to return to the local show.
In addition to selling the Young Living products, Alger, who is an essential oils educator, was also promoting some of her classes.
“I teach people about oils; I’m not just selling them,” she said. “I’m very much about education. I’m an educator of essential oils. I teach people how to use them, why to use them, [and] what’s the most effective way to use them.”
First-time exhibitors like Rhonda McMaster-Allendorph, who was representing her two Clifton Park stores Style Encore and Plato’s Closet, found the expo to be a hit as well. These businesses, both based on a recycling model, help women wear trendy fashions for a fraction of the price.
“Women want to look nice, and they always want to be able to have the cur-
rent styles, but can’t always afford it,” McMaster-Allendorph explained. “With a store like this its 70 percent off the current prices,” she said, “and it’s great for women.”
Juniors shop Plato’s Closet opened within the past year, and women’s clothing store Style Encore, while nowpurchasing inventory, is set to open next month. Ahead of this grand opening, “We tried this expo,” McMasterAllendorph said. “We’re having a great time, loving it.”
Local women like Linda Byer of East Greenbush, Marilyn Parslow of Schodack, and Diana Houghton of Castleton, enjoy being part of the expo crowd each year and checking out all of the exhibitors.
“We always come every year,” Parslow said. “It’s a fun day out.”