The Women’s EXPO is a showcase and a marketplace for Long Island women entrepreneurs, consisting of artisans, importers, designers and distributors of products such as jewelry, clothing, fine art, pottery and wood/metal/leather/glassware, children’s items, culturally diverse crafts, fiber art, specialty food items, gift baskets, household accessories, and paper.
The goal of the EXPO is to provide a venue for women entrepreneurs on Long Island to market their products, serving as a vehicle to promote economic development as well as networking among women entrepreneurs and women in the business and not-for-profit world.
Upon entering, shoppers are immediately met by a welcoming committee and an entire section of baskets to be raffled. The entire library floor is overtaken by many tables of unique products, led by women entrepreneurs, that were on display for the thousands of visitors coming and going. Having gone each year for many years, it is both a great shopping experience as well as a fantastic community gathering.
The EXPO has many familiar faces, both as vendors and as guests, as well as items such as Sweet Melissa’s homemade salsas, stuffed olives and jams, made by Melissa from what she grows on her own farm out east. The EXPO had booths of handmade jewelry, soaps, and others with manufactured items like pajamas and handbags. Some tables were real pieces of art. A particular example that stands out was sea glass molded into the shape of Long Island, which looked absolutely stunning. A wide variety of fun and unique items were steadily sold as shopping was in full swing, especially with the season of gift-giving right around the corner.
The Middle Country Public Library should be commended as the whole event always runs so smoothly, being both successful and enjoyable for all. Shoppers were also provided a full luncheonette, to grab a sandwich or a cup of coffee, chat with friends and recharge to continue shopping.
The community from all over Long Island always looks forward to this great October event.
