Charlotte Gluten/Allergen Free Expo

EXPO 2012

2011-10-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

The Charlotte Gluten/Allergen Free Expo 2012
is NOW taking applications for
Vendors/Sponsors for the event taking place on

June 2nd, 2012

The Park Expo & Conference Center

in Charlotte, N.C.

TICKETS TO GENERAL PUBLIC ARE
ON SALE NOW!
TICKETS

Example of event in Park Expo Center

Don't miss out on this 3rd year event

with space for up to 150 vendors

in 40,000 sq. ft. of facilities

Educational Presentations

featuring

Dr. Alessio Fasano (Director of the Center for Celiac Research)

Dr. Akiba Green (Lake Norman Wellness)

Nikki Everett, Founder of R.O.C.K.(Raising Our Celiac Kids) Charlotte & Director of Charlotte Gluten/Allergen Free Expo

Special Appearance By Mrs. United States, Shannon Ford
& The R.O.C.K. Kids

Cooking Demo Stage
Sponsored By Earth Balance
& Glutino

featuring
Jules Shepard, Founder of Jules Gluten Free
Author, Advocate of the Gluten Free Community, & Speaker Extraordinaire
Brings her delightful talents to the Charlotte Gluten/Allergen Free Stage

Jules Shepard, Mardi Gras

Chef Peter Reinhart
Chef On Assignment Johnson & Wales Culinary
Author, Multiple James Beard Award Recipient,
& Owner of Restaurants

Bryan Luce on left and Chef Reinhart on right at Expo 2011

Vendor Booths include tables, chairs, linens, and electrical capability.

Wi-fi accessibility

Security

Convenient loading and unloading

Our events net results for the communities we have them in and the vendors who invest their marketing into brand name recognition.
We do it ethically because we live gluten free too.

We use recyclable materials when possible, offer recyclable options for less waste, & support main street business to lower carbon footprint while never compromising on quality.

Contact Nikki Everett at irresistiblyglutenfree@gmail.com

for a Vendor/Sponsor packet

THE ILLUSTRIOUS VENDOR LIST OF EXPO 2011

2011-05-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

If you missed coming to the Charlotte Gluten/Allergen Free Expo 2011, we thought you might like a list of ALL of the fine vendors who were there.

The Expo team only ask the best quality allergen friendly products on the market and local companies who take exceptional care to our shows and will maintain our focus in doing so in the years to come.

We thank them all for participating.

Please click on the vendor names below which are linked to their websites and don't forget to ask your local markets to carry these products to make your gluten free/allergen free life more fulfilled and convenient:

1-2-3 GLUTEN FREE

AGAINST THE GRAIN GOURMET

ALLERENERGY

AMERICAN KEY FOOD PRODUCTS

ARBONNE

BAKERY ON MAIN

BEALER WHOLESALE - sampled out Redbridge GF Beer

BEST ACUPUNCTURE

BEVERLY'S GOURMET FOODS

BONE SUCKIN' SAUCE

BRAIN BALANCE

CAROLINA DIGESTIVE ASSOCIATES

CECELIAS MARKETPLACE

CENTER FOR CELIAC RESEARCH

CHARLOTTE GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY, PLLC

CHEBE BREAD

CLEAR ALLERGY LABELS

COCONUT TREASURES INC

CROHN'S AND COLITIS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA

CRUNCHMASTER

CUPCAKISTRY

CUSTOM CHOICE CEREAL

EARTH FARE represented companies like Funky Monkey, Roots Organic Hummus, Old Mill Kettle Corn, Bhuja Snacks, LaraBars, Sunfoods, Enjoy Life Foods, World's Best Carrot Cake, Endangered Species Chocolate, DoMore Bars, Justin's Nut Butter, Food Should Taste Good, Honest Tea, Truwhip

ELLE PALMER

GARDEN SPOT DISTRIBUTORS with samples from Feel Good Foods, King Soba, The Good Bean, Wellaby's and Asherah's Gourmet

GIG PIEDMONT TRIAD

GLUTINO/IAN'S

GLUTEN FREE by BEVERLY

GLUTENFREE SOCIETY

GLUTEN FREE RD

HEALTHY HOME MARKET represented many products as well with Bob's Red Mill, Glutino, Enzymedica, & many more

HEALTHY MEALS FROM HOME

LAKE NORMAN HEALTH & WELLNESS

LIFE SPRING WELLNESS CENTER

LINDYS GOODIES GF BAKERY

LUCES GLUTEN FREE ARTISAN BREAD

MARY'S GONE CRACKERS

MATTHEWS FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

NOTHING BUT NOODLES

NUSKIN

PENNY'S PIMENTO CHEESE

RUDIS GLUTEN FREE BAKERY

TOTAL NUTRITION TECHNOLOGY

UDIS GLUTEN FREE FOODS

WHOLE FOODS MARKET & BAKEHOUSE

Not to mention, we were very appreciative to have received samples, books and/or coupons from the following vendors:

LIVING WITHOUT MAGAZINE

DELIGHT GLUTEN FREE MAGAZINE

CANYON BAKEHOUSE

NO NUTTIN'

KATZ GLUTEN FREE BAKERY

P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO

We thank you all for making this Expo 2011 the best one yet!

BASKETS FULL OF GLUTEN FREE PRODUCTS TO BE RAFFLED OFF FOR CELIAC DISEASE RESEARCH

2011-03-06T16:03:00.000-08:00

When you enter the Charlotte Gluten Free/Allergen Free Expo doors on April 30th,

don't forget to buy your raffle tickets to win one of our fundraiser baskets full of gluten free products and services!

Raffle tickets are only $3 each or 4 tickets for $10

Each basket will be filled with $50 - $100 worth of goodies like:

Udi's GF Foods

Katz Bakery
The Thoughtful Baker

Jason's Deli

The Gluten Free Bar

Gluten Free Mall

Village Tavern

P.F.Chang's

Outback

Pat Fogarty

GF Cookbooks by notable authors like Jules Shepard, Carol Fenster, and Elana Amsterdam

& more...

And best of all, ALL proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Celiac Disease Research Center at the University of Maryland.

Tickets are already on sale at the next Charlotte Celiac Connection meetings March 19th & March 26th.

Contact Heidi Scott for more details about raffle at: afrugalfox@gmail.com

NEW UPDATED SPEAKER SCHEDULE FOR GLUTEN FREE/ALLERGEN FREE EXPO 2011!

2011-02-19T15:11:00.000-08:00

This year we proudly announce that our event will feature top professionals and medical experts in the fields of celiac disease, gastroenterology and gluten free living.

Ballroom I

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Dr. Alessio Fasano

Director of the Celiac Disease Research Center

University of Maryland

11 am - 12 pm

Ruth Perry, FPN with Charlotte Gastroenterology & Hepatology will present

“I Have Celiac Disease?? Now what??”

Dr. Jeffrey Zaidman

of Charlotte Gastroenterology & Hepatology

presents "What To Do When It Is Not Celiac Disease"

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Dr. Peter Osborne

Founder of Gluten Free Society &

Town Center Wellness

"Going Grain Free When Gluten Free Isn't Working"

Ballroom II

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Chef Peter Reinhart

Chef on Assignment at Johnson & Wales University

Recipient of James Beard Award & author of cookbooks

"Gluten Free & Low Carb"

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Lisa Stimmer, CN

"Eating for Vitality-Gluten Free" Seminar

http://www.total-lifestyle.com/

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Jules Shepard

Jules Gluten Free Flour and author of gluten free/allergen free cookbooks

Cooking class $40 fee

You may pay for Jules' class at her website by clicking here: Jules' Class

You don't want to miss this information packed day!

ITS OFFICIAL! EXPO 2011 IS ON IT'S WAY!

2010-11-08T16:26:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Charlotte Gluten-Free/Allergen-Free Expo Scheduled For April 30

Charlotte, NC -- The second annual Charlotte Gluten-Free/Allergen-Free Expo will be held Saturday, April 30 at the Blake Hotel at 555 McDowell St. in Charlotte, N.C. Tickets will be $5 per person in advance; $10 per person at the door and registration will open December 1, 2010 for advance tickets and 9:30 a.m.at the door. Children under 12 get in free!

Gluten-Free/Allergen-Free Expo events will occur from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as follows:

9:45 – 10:30 am: Alessio Fasano, M.D., Director of the Center for Celiac Research (http://celiaccenter.org/), at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, will present the latest research on diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease.

10:30 am – 3:30 pm: Vendor Expo will be open.

2:30 – 4:30 pm: Jules Shepard from Jules Gluten Free and author of the new allergen free cookbook, “Free For All” will offer a cooking class at an additional ticket charge of $40. This can be paid for on her website: http://www.julesglutenfree.com/

The goal of the event is to build awareness of celiac disease and other conditions which require adherence to a gluten-free diet with other allergen-free choices, and to highlight local and national companies that are producing exceptional gluten-free/allergen-free products that are equivalent or superior to typical products that contain gluten.

"Until recently, people who have adhered to a gluten-free/allergen-free diet have only had tasteless, cardboard-like food options, but availability of high-quality gluten-free breads, baking mixes, pizzas and restaurant menus has exploded over the last few years, making it much easier and more satisfying to live gluten free and allergen-free. We're excited to be bringing back the Charlotte Gluten-Free Expo by adding to the allergen-free fare, and especially to be hosting Dr. Fasano, to share the latest information about celiac and gluten-free living to the Charlotte community," said Nikki Everett, organizer of the Charlotte Gluten-Free/Allergen-Free Expo and mother of a 9-year-old daughter with celiac disease.

The inaugural Charlotte Gluten-Free Expo was held August 7, 2010 at Johnson & Wales University and attracted a capacity crowd of nearly 400 participants who enjoyed gluten-free food samples and information from more than 50 vendors. By moving to the Blake Hotel, the Expo will be able to accommodate 1700 participants and 100 vendors.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, barley and possibly oats, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi—the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine that allow nutrients from food to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food one eats. Researchers have found that more than 3 million Americans have the disease, or about 1 in 133 people, and that the prevalence of the disease is rising. The only treatment for celiac disease is complete elimination of gluten in the diet. Other conditions that may be improved by elimination of gluten in the diet are autism and type 1 diabetes. There are many links to celiac disease and other sensitivities to foods like dairy, casein, and soy.

For more information about the Charlotte Gluten-Free/Allergen-Free Expo, including becoming a vendor, visit http://www.charlottegfexpo.blogspot.com or contact event organizer Nikki Everett at irresistiblyglutenfree@gmail.com

PLANNING FOR 2011 EXPO NOW IN PROGRESS

2010-10-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

The planning team for the 2011 Charlotte Gluten Free Expo are hard at work getting all the details for the next event which is slated for April 30th, 2011! Dr. Alessio Fasano was the driving force for us waiting on date selection because we wanted to make sure we could have his presence here in Charlotte for the gluten free community. His work has catapulted the medical profession's better understanding of celiac disease and has further enabled the medical community to grasp new ways of detecting celiac disease and other auto-immune related disorders. We are proud to bring him to our city in hopes we can further help Dr. Fasano in educating the public and our medical professionals. In the coming weeks, keep checking in to receive new updates on other speakers and happenings planned as well as REGISTRATION LINKS FOR TICKETS for the Charlotte Gluten Free Expo 2011! Thank you,The Charlotte Gluten Free Expo Team

2010-08-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

MUCHO GRACIAS!

2010-08-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

A HUGE thank you to all of our attendees for experiencing the 2010 Charlotte Gluten Free Expo with us at Johnson & Wales University!

The gluten free food that was offered was amazing in quality and taste just as we had anticipated by selecting the best of the best in gluten free vendors. Time and again we heard oohs and aahs from participants who tried samples until they could eat no more! The event was well rounded though with more than just gluten free food - Products for continued health and wellness on a gluten free diet were also featured. As well as presentations by top experts and medical professionals to ensure our participants could glean more than just pleasurable eating.

It is wonderful enough to know when you have contributed to the gluten free community - but it is equally as sweet to read about it. Jennifer Harris of the Atlanta Metro Celiac Support Group wrote a wonderful recap on the Examiner of the foods she loved best and you can find it here:

Charlotte Gluten Free Expo....favorite products roundup and new ones in the works

The adorable Twin Cakes Bakery blogger, Lori, wrote a wonderful review you can find here:

Re-cap of Charlotte Gluten Free Expo

Thank you to both of them for writing about our event and being as excited as we were about our wonderful vendors!

Our email box has been overflowing with exemplary comments about experiences from our attendees and vendors which is immensely pleasing for us to read and reflect on. There have been some very constructive comments as to how we can improve our next event too which are welcomed so that the 2011 Expo will be even better.

As you'll notice we have placed a photo montage on this page of the event which we will be adding to as the photographs are made available to us. Also look for videos to be coming of the highly informative presentations that were offered by Chef Reinhart, Pat Fogarty, and Dr. Ivor Hill.

Thank you to Johnson & Wales for a beautiful venue and excellent support staff!

Thank you to our presenters for sharing information with all of us!

Thank you to our GF vendors for raising the bar on gluten free foods and options!

Thank you to the volunteers from the Charlotte Celiac Connection and R.O.C.K.(Raising Our Celiac Kids) Charlotte, N.C. among others for hard work and time devoted!

And lastly, thank you to our sponsors - J&W, Farmo, Bloom, Carolina Digestive Associates, and Healthy Home Market for making our day possible:-)

ATTENDEE CONFIRMATION/WELCOME EMAILS ARE ON THEIR WAY

2010-07-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

Charlotte Gluten Free Expo Guests,

Attendee Confirmation emails are being sent out this week (July 5th - July 9th) to everyone who has pre-registered for the Charlotte Gluten Free Expo. This confirmation email will include all pertinent information on the Expo including parking and general event information.

We apologize for the delay in the information being conveyed and if you have any questions regarding the emails to be sent or if you pre-registered and do not receive your confirmation email, then please contact us at:

charlotteglutenfreeexpo@yahoo.com

We hope you had a Happy July 4th weekend and look forward to meeting you in a little over 30 days!

Warm Regards,

The Charlotte Gluten Free Expo Team

CHARLOTTE GLUTEN FREE EXPO IS ON WAIT LIST

2010-06-26T22:16:00.000-07:00

As seen in Charlotte Observer Food Editor, Kathleen Purvis' Blog, "Ill Bite" - Gluten Free Expo Has A Waiting List

Ms. Purvis writes, "I was looking forward to posting information on Charlotte's first gluten-free expo, planned for Aug. 7 at Johnson & Wales. But before I could even type the words, the free event filled up."

Read more: http://obsbite.blogspot.com/2010/06/gluten-free-expo-has-waiting-list.html#ixzz0s1lMSnzB

To sign up on our Wait List, click the link for the Cancellation Wait List above. And as Kathleen implied, if you didn't get to register for this year's event be on the lookout for one in 2011.

THE OFFICIAL CHARLOTTE GLUTEN FREE EXPO PRESS RELEASE

2010-06-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vicki Walker

VLCWalker@yahoo.com

Charlotte Gluten-Free Expo Aug. 7 at Johnson & Wales University

Charlotte, NC, June X, 2010 -- The inaugural Charlotte Gluten-Free Expo will be held Saturday, August 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in JWU’s University Events Center. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required due to facility capacity. To register, please visit http://www.charlottegfexpo.blogspot.com/
and click on "Registration Public."

The goal of the event is to build awareness of celiac disease and other conditions which require adherence to a gluten-free diet, and to highlight local and national companies that are producing exceptional gluten-free products that are equivalent or superior to typical products that contain gluten.

The Expo will feature up to 40 vendors from local and national food companies and restaurants that are supportive of providing high-quality gluten-free foods. In addition, two presentations will be offered at the Expo:

• From noon to 1 p.m., Johnson & Wales baking instructor Peter Reinhart will provide a gluten-free cooking demonstration. Reinhart is the author of five books on bread baking, including Brother Juniper's Bread Book and the modern classic The Bread Baker's Apprentice, which was named cookbook of the year in 2002 by both the James Beard Foundation and the International Association of Culinary Professionals. He is also the owner or Pie Town restaurant in Charlotte.

From 1:15 to 2 p.m., Pat Fogarty, Registered Dietician specializing in celiac disease will be giving a presentation and discussion on "Key Nutrients for a Healthy Gluten Free Diet"

• From 2 to 3 p.m., Dr. Ivor B. Hill, Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Wake Forest University, will discuss new research in the field. Dr. Hill is author of more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and 35 textbook chapters and chaired the committee that developed the official Guidelines for the Evaluation and Treatment of Celiac Disease in Children.

"For so long, people who have adhered to a gluten-free diet have only had tasteless, cardboard-like food, but recently we've seen an explosion in high-quality gluten-free breads, baking mixes, pizzas and restaurant menus, making it much easier and more satisfying to live gluten free. We're excited to bring awareness of these options to the Charlotte community and to be partnering with the highly respected university and its culinary program," said Nikki Everett, organizer of the Charlotte Gluten-Free Expo and mother of a 9-year-old daughter with celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, barley and possibly oats, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi—the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine that allow nutrients from food to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food one eats. Researchers have found that more than 2 million Americans have the disease, or about 1 in 133 people, and that the prevalence of the disease is rising. The only treatment for celiac disease is complete elimination of gluten in the diet. Other conditions that may be improved by elimination of gluten in the diet are autism and type 1 diabetes.

For more information about the Charlotte Gluten-Free Expo, visit http://www.charlottegfexpo.blogspot.com/

or contact event organizer Nikki Everett at haircolorexpertise@hotmail.com or media representative Vicki Walker at VLCWalker@yahoo.com .

###

CALLING ALL VENDORS OF GLUTEN FREE FOODS

2010-05-28T05:52:00.000-07:00

If you represent a gluten free food manufacturer and would like to see your company's product offered at the Charlotte Gluten Free Expo - Then you can simply click on the icon above that says "Registration Vendors" and our Registration Committee will contact you back by email.

We only have space for 40 gluten free vendors to attend the Expo which is expected to draw 350 attendees. However, if you cannot be there in person and would like to send samples of gluten free foods or coupons for those products to offer our attendees - we will have volunteers who will make sure they are given out along with any information about your company.

We are looking for only the best quality gluten free foods and products because our mission is to dispel the thoughts that gluten free isn't as tasty as other food.