The LGBT Community’s Largest & Longest-Running Expo Returns To The Jacob Javits Center in New York City

On Saturday, February 28 & Sunday, March 1 the Original LGBT Expo marks the 22nd anniversary of the largest and longest-running LGBT convention in the world, but the first under new event producers Life Out Loud Events. “We’ve been tasked with not only maintaining an already amazing event,” said Jay Handy, Director of Life Out Loud Events, “but also enhancing it and breathing new, younger life into it, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

And what an amazing experience this will be! For the 5th year in a row Connextions Magazine, The Travel & Lifestyle Magazine for the LGBT Traveler since 2010, will sponsor the LGBT Expo. MVP, Editor of Connextions Magazine says, "This year, just like the LGBT Expo, we are returning with new experiences for our booth." For starters, we will be showcasing our latest issue titled: Love Around the World. On Sunday afternoon (2:30 - 3:15), Connextions Magazine will present a seminar titled: Travel Like an Expert: From Extreme Adventures to Family Getaways. Lastly, we have partnered with several brands, hotels and resorts to giveaway lots of raffle prizes.

Here's a list of some of the prizes we will be giving away:

• DVDs courtesy of WOLFE Videos
  

• Autographed copies of LEAVING MONTANA, author Thomas Whaley. (Read our review). Author Thomas Whaley will be at the Connextions Magazine booth on Sunday signing copies of LEAVING MONTANA.
  
• 1 Night in the Family Suite courtesy of Great Wolf (various locations in the US)

• 1 Night stay in a Deluxe Harbor View Room courtesy of The Delamar Hotels.
  

• 2 Nights stay courtesy of the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa in Florida.

• 2 Nights stay and daily breakfast courtesy of the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in Massachusetts. 

• 2 Nights stay and daily breakfast courtesy of The Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, NY.
  
• Pride & Joy Package courtesy of Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa in Florida. (Read about the Pride & Joy Package)
• And more!!!

So make sure to visit our Connextions Magazine booth this weekend for a chance to win! 

The LGBT Expo is from 12 pm - 6 pm on Saturday, February 28 and March 1, convention goers attending the event will be treated to 100,000 square feet and over 300 participating companies and exhibitors, including long-time and first-time sponsors of the event such as Delta Airlines, MetLife, Pella Windows, Uber, Key West, ZIRH, .LGBT and the Village Voice. The show also features over 40 musical and dance acts on the entertainment stage, 10 hours of engaging seminars and a full schedule of screenings and Q&A session in a video lounge.

Brand new to this year’s event is a VIP ticket option. VIP ticket holders will receive an LGBT Expo tee shirt, shoulder bag, various free and discount products and services from the events exhibitors and sponsors, as well as free entry into any of the nightly VIP after parties.

The Official LGBT Expo After Parties will be taking place all weekend long in the city that never sleeps at hotspots like XL Nightclub and the Phoenix Bar.

This year we’re introducing The LGBT Expo Mobile Scavenger Hunt. The hunt, which is 100% free, leads you through the twists and turns of the LGBT Expo exhibit floor to take photos, check in, answer trivia and scan QR codes, all while getting points for each task completed. The highest scorer overall will receive $500 in cold hard cash, while other runners-up will receive free VIP tickets to next year’s event. To participate, download the Scavity app (https://www.scavify.com). When you get to the Javits Center the day of the event, search for the “LGBT Expo” and join the hunt. From there, complete as many tasks as you can to win.

The stage will also feature a very special Lifetime Achivement Award presentation to writer Michael Musto presented by Briah, Bruno and Nicole of this season’s “Real World: Skeletons.” To see a full list and schedule of events visit: http://thelgbtexpo.com/schedule.

The Engayged Wedding Expo, sponsored by EnGAYgedWeddings, is a melting pot of all the latest and greatest products and services catering to the LGBT wedding industry. From choosing the right person to officiate your nuptials, to the photographer, florist and venue, the LGBT Wedding Expo is your one-stop-shop to help you plan your perfect day. It will also feature a wedding on Saturday.

Also returning this year is the Passport Magazine Travel Expo. Browse from dozens of travel vendors showcasing the best products, services, and destinations from around the globe. Participating vendors include: Florida Keys, Visit St. Petersburg, Aeromexico, Cambria Hotel & Suites, St. Pet, I LOVE NY, Mohegan Sun, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Vermont Gay Tourism and dozens more.

Life Out Loud Events is pleased to continue the tradition of giving back to the LGBT Community by donating over $100,000 worth of exhibit space, in the Non-Profit Pavilion and complimentary tickets to various organizations and volunteers. Exhibitors within the pavilion include Cheer New York, Gay Officers Action League, Gay Mens Health Crisis, Independent Adoption Center of NY, MCCNY Charities, Inc., Live Love Dance, New York City Anti-Violence Project, New York City Fire Department, SAGE, Sirens Woman’s Motorcycle Club of New York City, and the Visiting Nurse Service Of New York. Another not for profit, the LGBT Youth Organization, Our Youth, will be hosting the official LGBT Expo after party on Sunday.

All of this info, schedules and much more is now available on the Expo’s official website.

Tickets are now available for both days of the Original LGBT Expo.

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