Pine Belt Women’s Expo set for March 1-2

The Pine Belt Women’s Expo is hosting their 12th annual event this year. This special event is brought to you by Emerge Events, a Mississippi event planning business. Mark your calendars for Friday and Saturday, March 1-2. Friday’s event will run from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturday (the main day) will start at 10:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. 

The Pine Belt Women’s Expo supports the many businesswomen in Mississippi. Whether you are a fitness instructor or if you sell products, there is room for your business at the expo. From larger companies to smaller ones, you’re sure to see it all here! 

Emerge Events Owner, Jennifer Clark

The owner of Emerge Events, Jennifer Clark, is a trailblazing event planner who plans and coordinates the annual Pine Belt Women’s Expo. “It was my first event I planned back in 2011.” Jennifer plans the event alone with the assistance of occasional volunteers and people who help sponsor the expo. She takes us through the experience of the women’s expo and gives us insight on what to expect and how to be a participant in the event. 

Since its inception, the event has brought dozens of women business owners together and has given them the opportunity to showcase their craft. From brick and mortar businesses to online business owners, this event has brought about many connections and opportunities for businesses owners to network amongst themselves. “Due to the pandemic, we weren’t able to host the event for two years.” Regardless of not being able to meet in person, Jennifer and other business owners would meet virtually to discuss their business plans and ways to improve their respective crafts. 

There are many non-profits who attend the event, and the expo is a great way to bring awareness to these organizations and their respective causes. 

What to Expect?

Come to the expo with an open mind about your local businesses. “I want people to leave with something more than what they had coming into the expo,” Jennifer tells me. Whether it is an item that you purchased or information on something you didn’t know before, Jennifer wants you to leave with something you didn’t have before.

“There have been many life changing stories,” Jennifer remarked. Many of the attendees have been coming to the expo for years, and their needs now are different from what they were a decade ago. When they came as children, they may have wanted a sweet treat from a local baker. Now, they want medical advice (and a sweet treat is always an added bonus). “It’s become like a family tradition for many.” While this event showcases women’s businesses, many men come out to support and learn. 

What if I want to participate?

If you want to participate, make sure to reach out! You can reach Jennifer at her email: [email protected] to register as an exhibitor. If you’d like to register as an attendee, you can do so online. 

Additionally, Jennifer has other events brewing. Her event, Connect and Emerge, will make its appearance, again, soon. “I last had it on March 4, 2020,” Jennifer said. Make sure to keep an eye out on her website, found here, to stay up to date on her upcoming events (specifically this one)!