Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for the Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo, which has provided me with compensation. [Disclosure policy]
With the tremendous increase of gluten-free products and restaurant options in the Delaware Valley, the Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo no doubt will be bigger and better than ever this year. The expo is scheduled for Saturday, May 18 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks (100 Station Ave.).
The event will once again include local and national exhibitors, educational presentations, door prizes and, of course, plenty of gluten-free samples and concessions. The expo will be open to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Hall C. VIP tickets are sold out, but general-admission tickets are still available. General-admission tickets are $10.00 each in advance ($15 at the door), with kids 12 and under free, and can be purchased by phone at 717-248-6741, at any Wegmans service desk or online. Free parking is available at the Expo Center.
More than 70 exhibitors will be sampling, selling and promoting products there. Many companies participating have carved out a niche by producing products that are difficult to replicate or find in a gluten-free form, such as the soft pretzels made by Tonya's Gluten-Free Kitchen and bagels from The Greater Knead. Local restaurants at the event include Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar and The Melting Pot, and there'll be baked goods from The Happy Mixer and others.
Attendees over 21 can also try beverages from Aurochs Brewing Co., Faber Easy Drinking, Liquors, Cardinal Hollow Winery and Boardroom Spirits. Gluten-free foods available for sample or purchase at the event will include breads, funnel cakes, corn dogs, pizza, pastries, vegan items, baking mixes and gluten-free beers. Last year, over 2,500 consumers attended the expo.
Speakers at the event include yours truly, who will be co-leading a session on gluten-free beers with Aurochs Brewing co-founder Doug Foster; Arunjot Singh, M.D., a gastroenterologist with CHOP’s Center for Celiac Disease; Claire Baker, Director of Communications at Beyond Celiac; and author Melinda Arcara.
The advocacy organization Beyond Celiac, with headquarters in Ambler, is an expo partner and will be promoting the need for Celiac Disease testing at their booth. I'll be at the Beyond Celiac booth in the morning prior to my talk, so be sure to stop by and say hello.
The event is social-media friendly; follow the expo on Twitter (@PhillyGFExpo), Facebook (/PhillyGlutenFreeExpo) and Instagram (@PhillyGlutenFreeExpo) and share your favorite photos and products from the event.
Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo Schedule:
10:30 a.m.: Vendor area open to general-admission ticket holders
11:30 a.m.: I’m Not a Party Pooper…You Are! A Lighthearted Look at the Hard Work of Living Gluten Free with Claire Baker, Beyond Celiac
12:30 p.m.: Beer for Everyone: A Guide to Gluten-Free Beer with Doug Foster, Aurochs Brewing and Michael Savett, Gluten Free Philly
1:45 p.m.: Three Steps to Gluten-Free Living with author Melinda Arcara
2:45 p.m.: Celiac Disease session with Arunjot Singh, M.D., Children's Hospital of Philadelphia