Women Today Expo offers seminars, shopping, and celebrity guests

KNOXVILLE -- The Women Today show will return once again to the Knoxville Convention Center on March 16-18. Sponsored by the Knoxville News Sentinel and recognized as a top 20 event in the Southeast, this three-day expo is the largest show for women in East Tennessee.

Over 115 exhibitors, trendy fashion shows, cooking demonstrations and informative seminars will be featured. Attendees will be entertained by celebrity guests, get the chance to enter to win exciting door prizes, and shop a variety of vendors for new products and great ideas for home, work and family.

Three stages will be featured at this year's event, covering topics ranging from beauty and fashion to health and cuisine. The What Women Want Fashion Stage, presented by Thompson Cancer Survival Center, will feature exciting fashion shows and insider beauty tips from local and celebrity experts. The stage will also feature presentations by Star 102.1 and Thompson Cancer Survival Center, plus an exciting makeover reveal for one lucky attendee, sponsored by U.S. Cellular and the Douglas J. Aveda Institute. Attendees will be able to preview spring's latest fashions to update their wardrobe from Belk and get the latest in canine design with the return of the popular Pet Fashion Show, sponsored by Enrichment Federal Credit Union.

You won't want to miss the celebrity appearance by Giuliana Rancic, E! News host and co-star of the popular Fashion Police team on the E! Network. Brought to you by the Thompson Cancer Survival Center, Giuliana will be available for autographs, a Q&A session with Women Today attendees, and will also host a fashion show on Sunday, March 18, at the What Women Want Fashion Stage. With multiple fashion shows taking place throughout the weekend, Old City Entertainment Venue, the entertainment sponsor, will keep attendees dancing and the models moving on the runway with festive beats.

Foodies and culinary enthusiasts will enjoy cooking demonstrations at the Cooking School Stage, presented by Food City. With exciting presentations by culinary sponsor University of Tennessee Culinary School, Sisters of the Skillet, and local contestant from TLC's Next Great Baker Heather Grubb, the Food City Cooking School Stage will once again be a popular attraction at the 2012 Women Today. Attendees will be delighted with the culinary talents of Food Network star and host of "5 Ingredient Fix" Claire Robinson, who will be presenting and signing autographs on Saturday, March 17. Women Today is also pleased to welcome renowned chef Jeff Carter from Dancing Bear Lodge. Carter will showcase his recipes on Friday, March 16, at the Food City Cooking School Stage.

Attendees will learn the latest in medical advancements and common health issues affecting women at the Conversation Stage, presented by Covenant Health. With presentations throughout the weekend from experienced physicians and health experts, Women Today attendees can move toward a healthier lifestyle with the help of Covenant Health, which was named among the top 100 integrated health systems in the country. Presentations at the Conversation Stage will take place throughout the day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and will also showcase select fashions from The Heart's Truth Red Dress Collection.

Exclusive prizes will be provided by vendors. Early bird attendees will receive a complimentary Women Today Tote Bag, brought to you by Tanger Outlets, and all guests can enter to win great door prizes by participating in the Women Today Connect the Dots scavenger hunt program. Fashion & Beauty sponsor Belk will provide shopping bags for attendees throughout the show, as well as offer make-up refresher stations and samples of their popular spring scents at the Belk shopping pavilion. In addition to the many show specials available at Women Today, attendees can also scan QR codes provided by U.S. Cellular to access insider information from featured chefs and celebrity guests.

Women Today show hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.womentoday.com for a discounted price, available at $6 for adults (ages 13 to 55), $4 for youth (ages 6 to 12), $4 for senior guests (ages 56 and older). Children ages 5 and under are free. Tickets are also on sale now at area Food City Retailers for $2 off the door admission prices with your Food City ValuCard. Best of all, your Women Today ticket includes admission for all three days of the event! Guests can purchase tickets at the door as well, available at $10 for adults, $6 for youth, and $6 for seniors.

The 2012 News Sentinel Women Today is sponsored in part by Thompson Cancer Survival Center, Food City, Covenant Health, Belk, U.S. Cellular, Douglas J. Aveda Institute, Old City Entertainment Venue, Chick-Fil-A, Tanger Outlets, University of Tennessee Culinary School, Enrichment Federal Credit Union, Junk Bee Gone, Star 102.1 and WBIR. Complete show details and ticket information are available at womentoday.com and inside the News Sentinel.

Published March 2, 2012