One of the most exciting LGBT events of the year, the Original LGBT Expo is returning on Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13 to the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. Open both days from 12pm to 6pm, this event will feature an impressive variety of 300 exhibiting businesses. Some of the most popular industries will include the Silvercar.com Travel Pavilion, Wedding Pavilion, Small Business Pavilion, Non-Profit Pavilion and the all new Family Pavilion. This amazing convention showcases business, education, the arts, health, technology, media, travel, non-profit sectors and everything in between. The majority of these booths are owned and operated by members of the LGBT community. Make sure to check out GO Magazine’s booth! As a gold level sponsor, we have always understood the importance of contributing to such a worthwhile event. By attending the longest-running LGBT convention in the world, you will have the opportunity to both check out the latest and greatest products and give back to the community.
This year’s Saturday seminar is entitled “It Gets Better with the FDNY” and will give the community a chance to talk with LGBT members of the New York City Fire Department about their brand new video, created for the “It Gets Better” campaign. This recent release, which features Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro and the FDNY, showcases proud LGBT firefighters discussing the struggles and successes they have faced on the job. This special seminar is included with admission to the expo! This year’s convention will also hold a series of workshops entitled “LGBT Competence Training” and “Making Your Business LGBT Friendly.” Ideal for the small business owner, these workshops will offer tips and tricks for making your business the best it can be.
After you finish attending the seminars and workshops, be sure not to miss the entertainment portion of the convention. Superstar Constantine Maroulis, star of “American Idol” and the Broadway smash “Rock of Ages,” will grace the audience with his presence as the convention’s headline attraction. Maroulis says, “I am very proud to stand with the LGBT community and support this amazing event.” This Tony Award-nominated artist has continued to soar after his success on American Idol. He has appeared in multiple musical productions including “Jekyll and Hyde,” “Rent,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Just this past year he returned to the American Idol stage, this time as a mentor. If this sounds up your ally, make sure to check him out on Sunday, March 13 at 3pm.
For those seeking even more entertainment, make sure to look out for some of the LGBT community's finest performers. On this year’s stage you can find musical and comedic talent of all kinds, including Niki Darling, Lovari, Lady Clover Honey, Paul Hallasy, Aris, Quanna, The Mighty JSE, T-Boy, Bebe Sweetbriar, Devonde, Ron B., Carmela Cann, Aaron Paul, Destiny Devine and many others. For those more interested in film, both Saturday and Sunday afternoon will be dedicated to showcasing documentaries from award winning directors and producers. This years films include; “Crossing Over,” directed by Isabel Castro; “Hallway,” directed by Leah Shore; “D.Asian,” directed by Sarah Smith; and “Pink Boy,” directed by Eric Rockey. With such a fantastic lineup, this year’s film showcase is not to be missed!
Tickets are now available for both days of the Original LGBT Expo. If having access to the incredible entertainment stage, educational seminars and show floor is not enough for you, the expo also offers exclusive VIP ticket packages. VIP tickets give you all of the original perks as well as tons of discounts and freebies from the exhibitors, free entry into the VIP lounge and VIP after parties and a custom LGBT Expo show bag and tee shirt!
For more information about this exciting event and/or to purchase tickets, head to http://thelgbtexpo.com. We can’t wait to see you there!
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