Speakers, and Freebies, and Samples! Oh My!
Looks like 2015 is right around the corner! And that means a whole new batch of
Gluten-Free Events that we can go to.
Have you ever wondered if it’s worth it to travel to one of these
events?
**Would you like to hear about the latest discoveries
from professionals in the Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance fields?
**Would you like to spend just one day being able to eat
and enjoy food without worry?
**Would you like to know what new services and products
are available to you.
**Would you like to exchange tips and stories with people
who walk in your shoes every day?
**Would you like to see, smell, and taste brand new
products that haven’t even been offered to the public yet?
**Would you like to purchase products that are factory
fresh and available for discounted prices?
Dress Comfortably, Especially Your Shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking, maneuvering, weaving in
and out and even some just plain waiting.
You’ll probably be dealing with some pretty crowded halls. Concrete parking lots and cement floors do
not make for happy feet unless you’re wearing comfortable shoes. Pockets are a wonderful thing for stashing
some cash or card, and if you have to carry a purse go with one that you can
wear over your shoulder.
Bring Friends & Family: Heck, bring
everyone! Whether
they’re Gluten-Free or not, if they come with you
they’ll see that you’re not alone in your struggle to be healthy.
Attendance does vary, but there will be between 500-5,000 people at any of
these Events. Having friends and family along with you to sample comes in handy too when you’re looking to find something that everyone can enjoy.
Bring The Kids: These events are generally
family oriented and very kid friendly. You’ll often find small areas set
up just
for the kids to play. You can bring the strollers in, but
remember there will be crowds of people. Children simply love to sample,
but Vendors will not hand out treats willy-nilly without a responsible adult
nearby to give a nod of approval.
Bring a Bit of Cash: If you plan to
shop bring some extra cash along with your credit/debit card. A few
Vendors don’t have those handy little card swipes. Not only will you find
some of the best prices and bargains around but also the freshest product
available. Trust me, you’re gonna want to shop!
Bring an Extra Shopping Bag: Yep,
you’re gonna wanna shop! At most of these Events everyone gets a Goodie
Bag simply for walking through the door. And some of these are already
stuffed half full with take home goodies. If you bring friends and family
with you, often they can all get a Goodie
Bag for walking through the
door. But it never hurts to have an extra, empty, bag tucked away for any
overflow of freebies or purchases.
Handicapped or Handi-capable, be prepared:
Bring what you need to enjoy your day. Generally, Volunteers are
everywhere so don’t be afraid to ask for help…even if it’s simply to locate a
chair to sit for a bit. If you can’t find a Volunteer, ask a Vendor…it’s
just as important to them that
you enjoy your visit to the Event.
Please Be Respectful: Yes, there is a
ton of free stuff to be had…but don’t forget you’re in a hall full of other
human beings trying to enjoy their day too. I’ll never forget the idiot
who stepped OVER the baby in her baby carriage so that he could get to a free
cupcake! Seriously? It was a 1oz piece of cake with a dot of frosting for
heaven’s sake!
Taste as You Wander: Now, you have to
admit, Samples
are the main reason most people attend these Events. And
you’ll find bite-sized samples of just about everything from old favorites, to
hard to find gotta-haves, to brand new not-even-on-the-market-yet items. But
please pace yourself…nibble here, nibble there and the next thing you know
you’re sick on overload. Pay attention to all those little bites so that
you don’t regret it later on.
Bring your ‘Take Away’ Kit: Granted the
Samples are only tiny little 1oz portions, but that doesn't mean you can’t take
some home for later. Pack a couple of those small snap top containers
along with a few snack sized zip bags and you won’t be so inclined to overdue
the nibbles and you’ll have samples to try out later on when you get back to
your hotel room or home.
Check the Ingredients: Yes, everything is
Gluten-Free…but if you have multiple sensitivities it pays to read the label
even at one of these Events. Every Vendor should know what’s in their
product, if not they will have a listing of ingredients available.
Talk to People: This is not the time to
be shy. Vendors, Volunteers, other Attendees, they ALL understand.
It can actually be a little overwhelming at first. But don’t be afraid to talk
to people. Start a conversation; you’ll be amazed at the Community you may
not have even known was there for you.
Talk to the Vendors: Nosh and nibble to
your heart’s content…but don’t rush on to the next table so quickly. If
it’s not too crowded and
you can find a spot to get out of the traffic flow,
stop and speak to the Vendors for a moment. Tell them how much you enjoy
their product, what changes would you like to see, your feedback is priceless
to them. Be pleasant and polite and you just might find them tucking an
extra full-sized product into your shopping bag as a thank you!
If it’s FREE, it Must be for Me: Well, not always…this goes back to that ‘Please be Respectful’ reminder. Simply
because you see un-attended tables DOES NOT mean you can simply swipe
everything into your bag and walk away. Trust me, I've had Vendors tell
me this has happened if they even leave the table for a minute to get a drink
or use the bathroom. It’s rude and very unfair to the many others who
want to visit that table to receive their samples.
How far is too far: That depends on you. I know a few people who won't travel more than 30 minutes to go to an Event designed specifically for them. Myself? I'll drive four hours...in fact I do that at least once a year to attend an event. Living in Florida gives me 2-3 events to choose from every year. I like to plan a weekend get-away. Find a nice hotel for two nights, enjoy my day at the event and then take my time driving home again.
