Regina women’s event features more fun, shopping and learning than ever before

Shop. Indulge. Discover. Learn. For three days next week, What Women Want will provide women in Regina — and men — with over 2,000 square feet (185 square metres) of answers.

It’s more than a trade show according to Michelle Strawford, the event’s organizer.

“We really want to be an event, a day out for women, for their friends, for them and their spouse,” she said.

To bring that about, the popular women’s event is making some changes in its fourth year, Strawford explained.“It was time to evolve.”

This year, What Women Want, which runs March 16 to 18 at the Conexus Arts Centre, will showcase a new mix of vendors.

“And we have refocused our efforts on a true experience, with more fun, shopping and learning than ever before,” Strawford said.

The revamped experience will include everything from sipping and sampling local spirits and cuisine, to learning about the latest in home, health and spa trends. There will be opportunities to shop for a vast array of products — including fashions, eye wear, beauty products, even a luxury vehicle. This year’s event will also include stage entertainment and education.

“We wanted a reason for people to stay,” Strawford said. “We really want it to be a day out.

“We put such a tremendous amount of energy into the atmosphere and shopping experience this year. It’s always been a great show. No doubt about it. We’ve always had a huge number of women that come to the show. But this year, we wanted to bring a new mix of vendors. We wanted to bring some entertainment — another reason for people to stay.”

The event will feature over 100 booths. (Another 70 businesses are on the waiting list, Strawford said.)

“We wanted it to feel like a new mall in Regina,” Strawford explained, comparing the atmosphere to walking into a Vegas casino, where “you don’t know what time of day it is; you just know that it’s fun and that you want to stay.”

Regina boutiques, including Stella & Sway, will be setting up shop at What Women Want. Out-of-town participants will include Obviously Chic Boutique from Estevan, “which will literally be moving their store here,” Strawford said. Even its chandelier is coming to the Queen City.

In addition to the event’s main stage, mini stages in some booths will showcase everything from the latest fashions for 2012 to the newest hairstyles.

Shows will be presented every 30 minutes on the main stage, including: style makeovers, mini fashion shows, dance demonstrations, wine education; cosmetics demos, and spray tanning demos.

“We knew that people are interested in all these things, but we don’t always get an opportunity to see it in an unthreatening manner,” Strawford said. “It’s a really nice environment to sip a glass of wine, have a snack and watch a stage show.”

VIP bags are another new addition to What Women Want. The first 200 attendees daily will receive a bag featuring cosmetic products, jewelry, gift certificates and food samples.

The VIP experience will also include complimentary awards-show-style entrance photos, as well as a sip and sample lounge with entertainment.

To date, What Women Want has raised over $20,000 for local charities. This year, the event will once again support the Leader-Post Christmas Cheer Fund, focused on enabling local shelters to enhance the programs and services available to women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

Free limo and party bus shuttle service will be provided to the Dewdney strip of pubs and clubs after What Women Want closes Friday and Saturday nights.

“It’s just a little add-on for women who have come out for the ladies’ night out, and they want to continue their night. This is a great way to do that,” Strawford said.

On Sunday, the Posh & Pink Dress Sale, produced by Eye Inspire Events, will be featured at What Women Want. The one-day, cash-only sale will feature about 500 “previously loved” formal dresses for graduations and special events. No dress will cost more than $80. Proceeds will go to the Leader-Post Christmas Cheer Fund.

Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the three-day event, for a chance to win over $10,000 in prizes, including two tickets anywhere WestJet flies. Proceeds will go to the Leader-Post Christmas Cheer Fund.

“It really is an event for every age … We are not just catering to the business woman, or the girls’ night out crowd. We’ve got stuff for mothers, too. … And every price bracket,” Strawford said.

What Women Want runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10, available only at the door.

Category Women’s, Tags Women’s

Category Woman, Tags Woman

FAMU women, men look to reload teams.

The mission isn’t much different for Clemon Johnson and LeDawn Gibson when it comes to the future of their Florida A&M basketball teams.

While Johnson has the most significant reloading to do with the men’s team, Gibson is about fine-tuning the women. Both said they want to find top-notch talent to fill the scholarship spots created by seniors who played their final season of eligibility.

The end of the season came in surprising fashion for both teams Friday in the MEAC Tournament. The men, who started with an 8-22 record, pulled off two stunning upsets to reach the semifinal where they lost 58-46 to eventual champion Norfolk State. In the women’s bracket, the Rattlers were uncharacteristically flat in a 51-43 loss to Howard University.

Gibson led the Rattlers to their first 20-plus win season in 15 years coming into the tournament. Their remarkable season included a run of 14 straight victories and a stay at the top of the conference standing to the final week.

The league named Gibson coach of the year and Antonia Bennett was player of the year. Qiana Donald also was named the best defensive player in the conference. Both players along with Regina Smiley and Tameka McKelton played their last season.

But they came up short of the prize they wanted the most.

“They didn’t get what they wanted and that hurts so badly,” Gibson said. “I think they achieved a lot for themselves but they wanted the MEAC championship.”

Work has already gotten under way to attain that goal next season, said Gibson. She’s on the recruiting trail searching for shooting guards and post players, hinting that college transfers are high on her list.

“We are looking for some scorers and players that can step in and play,” Gibson said. “Not necessarily high school players that are going to take some growing.”

Johnson seems to be taking the same approach to reloading his team, which will lose seven seniors. He was optimistic that the Rattlers’ 2-1 postseason performance would help recruiting.

“Of course, we have to make sure we get the quality of individuals that fit into my system,” he said. “I’ve got to get some guys who are able to play this system right off the bat so we won’t have such a long time to get a unified team to the through the tournament.”

Category FAMU women, Tags FAMU women

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