Pride Source Media Group, publisher of Between The Lines, is pleased to announce its fourth-annual Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo from 12 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 12 at new location in order to accommodate more vendors and guests. The event will be held at the Southfield Civic Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield, MI 48076.
Open to LGBT and allies, The Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo will feature local businesses that provide wedding services to same-sex couples – many of whom plan to marry after the ruling on the trial where Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage may be ruled unconstitutional.
"With the DeBoer case coming to a close, and federal tax changes accommodating same-sex marriage, LGBT Michiganders are thinking about getting married,” says Susan Horowitz, editor-in-chief of Between The Lines. “The Expo is the perfect place to find LGBT-friendly vendors for a future Michigan wedding and other events, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and more."
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This year The Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo moved to a larger location in order to accommodate more couples, vendors, presentations and activities. The event will feature a couture bridal fashion show, presented by B. Ella Bridal, complimentary mini spa treatments, free wine and hors d’oeuvres tastings, dancing and dozens of exciting raffle prizes. Attendance is $10 and open to the public. Parking is free.
“Market research shows LGBT consumers prefer to do business with companies that demonstrate their support for LGBT equality by advertising and marketing to LGBT people – even when the cost is higher,” says Jan Stevenson, co-publisher of Between The Lines. “With the majority now in favor of same-sex marriages, and the scores of opportunities for companies in the wedding business, we think attendance at this year’s event will exceed past shows,” she explains.
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A 2004 Forbes magazine article projected that if same-sex marriage rights were granted nation-wide, same-sex weddings would generate $16.8 billion dollars in expenditures, adding significantly to America’s annual $70 billion wedding industry.
According to a July 2012 CNN report, in the first year of legalized marriage in New York, 236,000 hotel room nights were booked by LGBT weddings and wedding guests, generating an estimated $65 million in hotel revenue.
Stevenson says vendor space and sponsorships for Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo are quickly selling. Vendor applications are available on the BTL Expo website (www.btlweddingexpo.com); prices for booth rentals begin at $395, and each 10x10 exhibit space includes draping, table, two chairs, and a listing in BTL's Special Wedding Guide, which will be published the week of the Expo.
This year's Gold sponsors include Star Trax Event Productions in Ferndale and C & N Party Rentals of Royal Oak. Silver sponsors include Five 15 in Royal Oak and B. Ella Bridal in Plymouth. Miners’ Den of Royal Oak is a Bronze Sponsor. Dozens more vendors, including florists, photographers, caterers, lawyers, adoption agencies, bridal shops, tuxedo rentals, banquet halls, hotels, officiants and more have recently signed up.
For tickets ($10) or more information, visit www.btlweddingexpo.com or e-mail Jan Stevenson at janstevenson@pridesource.com.
