Nashville’s first ever GLBT Business and Life Expo will be held November 19 at The Cannery, from noon to 5 p.m.

The free event, which marks a milestone in Nashville’s growing GLBT business community, will allow those who attend to sign up for a chance to win a free trip to Europe, a set of tires from Bridgestone, and network with more than 50 different businesses. The Expo begins with a lunch and keynote address by Justin Nelson, president of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce  (11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.). Tickets to the luncheon can be purchased for $35 and there are only a limited number left.

The exhibit hall and Workshops are FREE and open to the public from noon - 5 p.m.

1 p.m. workshop - Gay and Lesbian Health Issues presented by Vanderbilt Medical Center

2:30 p.m. workshop - Success in Small Business presented by Josh Estrin, Concepts in Success, Miami, FL.

4 p.m. workshop - Home Renovations and Expansions presented by Lynn Taylor of Taylor Made Plans, Nashville, TN.

Expo participants will also have the chance to visit the booths of more than 50 companies who have signed up to exhibit their products or materials to the GLBT community, said John Wade, one of the organizers of the Expo, which is sponsored by the Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce (NAPP) with American Home Mortgage as the presenting sponsor. 

“These are companies who are saying directly to Nashville's GLBT community, ‘We want your business.’ I hope the community turns out in large numbers to meet many of these gay owned and gay friendly businesses,” he said.

The free trip to Europe – which offers roundtrip airfare and lodging for two people for one week in the winner’s choice of Amsterdam, Berlin or Paris – is being offered by Traveling Proud to people who come to the Expo to register.

“It will be an exciting and historical day for the Middle Tennessee business community,” said Christopher Sanders, president of NAPP. “We are expecting a great turnout. The committee has worked very hard and their hard work will be mirrored in the great success of the day.”

In addition to the workshops and booths, a celebrity will be on hand to greet Expo goers. The Lady Chablis, best known for her character in the book and movie, “Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil,” will be present to sign copies of her book, other autographs and pose for photos with expo attendees.

The public can see her perform at Play on Friday November 18 and then attend the Expo on Saturday to meet her in person.

Some of the exhibitors attendees can expect to see at the expo:

American Home Mortgage; Out & About Newspaper; Ameriprise Financial; Nashville Scene; Tribe; Play; SBResults Marketing Solutions; DNGraphics; Planned Parenthood; Xenogeny; Deloitte; Village Real Estate; Wells Fargo Mortgage; Freedom Financial; Superglass Windshield Repair; Michael Mills, Attorney; Tennessee Transgender Pac; Taylor Made Plans; Gay Days Orlando; Sheila Bernard, Realtor; Tennessee Equality Project; The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee; The Salas Slocum Law Group; Nashville Pride; Allstate Insurance; Jive Digital; Josh Estrin; Nashville Title Insurance; One in Teen; Traveling Proud; Out RIGHTS Outfitters; Packers and Poodles; Freedom Press; Wachovia Bank; Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; Julie Hall, LMT; Metro Health Department and Hanging Around Gallery.