New women’s expo coming to Lisle
A national beauty pageant parade coming to Lisle this summer is expanding with a second event also coming to the village this spring.
On April 17, the Hilton-Lisle will host the The Modern Successful Women’s Expo from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event, which will feature 60 exhibitors, a fashion show and more is an offshoot of the annual Miss, Ms. and Mrs. U.S. Beauties National Pageant Parade.
Organizers announced late last year that the 2011 parade, which previews the actual pageant to be held in Schaumburg, will come to downtown Lisle this July. The contestants also will lodge at the Hilton-Lisle, bringing more tax revenue to the village.
Now organizers have decided to host an expo to generate additional interest in their brand.
“Our goal is to bring more exposure to the pageant organization, to help connect women and businesses and to bring revenue to this wonderful town,” said expo spokeswoman Michele Winslow.
The expo will include a relaxation station where women can get a hand massage and neck wrap, musical entertainment and a Queen for a Day contest that honors a local woman who gives back to the community.
In addition, members of the Firefighters Highland Guard of Naperville collaborated with expo organizers to create a calendar to raise funds for charity. The group, which is a pipes and drums band of firefighters and other musicians, will sell the calendars to benefit Honor Flight Chicago, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and the band.
Some members also will participate in a dating game and bachelor auction during the expo to raise funds.
While the expo is new, the pageant typically rotates locations throughout northern Illinois each year. But Winslow said if all goes well with both events, organizers would like to see the expo become a tradition and have both annual festivities remain in Lisle.
“Absolutely, we’d love that,” said Winslow. “Everyone in Lisle has gone above and beyond to welcome us.”
Expo tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and free for ages 12 and younger.
For details, visit modernsuccessfulwomensexpo.com.