By Alicia Doyle Correspondent Wednesday, March 11, 2009
What: Women’s EXPO Ventura County.
When: Noon to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Ventura County Fairgrounds at Seaside Park, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura.
Cost: $10 for one-day admission ticket; $15 for unlimited-admission wristband.
Information: Visit http://www.WomensExpoVC.net; or e-mail womensexpovc@earthlink.net.
The social traditions of women and money, ways to eliminate fear from success and how to cope in a toxic workplace are among dozens of topics this weekend at the first-ever Women’s EXPO in Ventura County. The event runs Friday through Sunday at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
“The Women’s EXPO experience addresses the whole woman; there’s been nothing like it before,” said event founder and producer Beth Sutherland. The more than 50 event speakers include Somnath Basu, professor of finance at California Lutheran University, who will discuss women and money; and Riverside Mayor Kristin Tillquist, who will address “Creating Kindness Capital — Success Strategies for a Difficult Economy.”
“It’s three days with three classrooms going every hour on the hour,” Sutherland said. “That’s a lot of great information being provided, and most of our speakers are from the community or in close proximity.”
For instance, clinical psychologist Priscilla Partridge de Garcia of Camarillo will present “A Nervous Breakdown is Not For You,” offering a humorous approach to stress. “The women putting on this expo care about other women; women who are noncompetitive are the best support for each other,” Partridge de Garcia said. “You might find a mentor, someone who’s accomplished in an area you’re trying to learn, or you might find a resource to help you in various areas, whether it’s physical, emotional, spiritual or intellectual. “None of these things is petty,” she said. “We need all these areas working for us.”
Family, fashion, fun Categories covered at the event include business, career and leadership; family; fashion and décor; fitness and health; relationships and romance; and fun, life and well-being. Exhibitor booths will include Athena Cosmetics, Beverly Hills Physicians, Channel Islands Plastic Surgery, Hair Free Forever, Liberty Mutual Group, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Older & Wiser Workout, Twisted Temptations Jewelry and Women’s Economic Ventures. Speakers include Karen Gabler, an attorney at Nordman Cormany Hair & Compton LLP, on “Career and Motherhood: Asserting Your Right to Do It All.”
Gary Erkfritz, executive director of the Brain Balance Achievement Center, will present “Can Your Children Improve Their Grades and Behavior with Nutrition?” Daisi Pollard, president of Model House Holdings, will talk about “How to Dress and Feel Like a Supermodel.” And Esta McIntyre, owner of My Health Studio, will discuss “A Weight Has Been Lifted! Beating the Mid-life Fat Trap!” Anne Fenwick, an exercise physiologist with an office at Spa by Diane Loring Inc. at the Historic Love House in Ventura, will cover the benefits of cardiovascular exercise during her talk on “Heart Sense for Women.”
“This is a really exciting event because it’s bringing experts together in one arena,” Fenwick said. “It’s ideal for women who want inspiration or hope, or just want to be around other positive women.” Joan Blacher of Somis, an educational psychologist and author, will discuss “Difficult Teens: Overcoming the Challenges.” “Teens face a society that simultaneously glorifies and denounces high-risk behavior such as violence, alcohol, drugs and extramarital sex,” said Blacher, co-author of “Difficult Teens: A Parent’s Guide for Coping.” “My goal is to help parents of difficult teens learn why they behave the way they do, about some of the troubling aspects in their world, and gain the tools and resources they need to help them weather the turbulent adolescent years with success.”
‘The Truth About Fear’ Gwen Thibeaux of Murrieta, CEO of Divine One Management, will present “The Truth About Fear: How to Eliminate its Effect on Your Success Potential.”
“Fear can hinder and stunt a person’s growth even in the best of situations,” Thibeaux said. “I want audiences to understand that if they want success and prosperity in their lives, they have to be willing to do what is necessary despite the fear.”
With the current state of the nation’s economy as well as the circumstances with which business owners and others are challenged, it is important to stay focused on goals and dreams, Thibeaux emphasized.
“Regardless of the external circumstances, it is important to combat all the negative with something positive,” she said.
“Events like this allow people to surround themselves with other people who are still thriving, who are still pursuing their dreams,” she said. “It is important that people seek a different perspective in life. Life is not all doom and gloom.”
