The best Gluten-Free & Allergen-Friendly expo where celiacs, gluten & food allergic, autoimmune suffers alike can gather for a safe consumer to brand in-person experience! The GFAF Expo is the chance to connect with manufacturers, educators, services, and the community as a whole!
I am so excited to be an official blog ambassador for the GFAF Expo this year! If you're a very long-time reader, you'll remember that I attended the expo 2 years ago and blogged about it here. It was the first "foodie" expo I'd ever attended as it's rare you can find any type of expo or conference close to New Jersey! I loved it though and was sad I couldn't attend last year, but this year I am able to get up there again as well as be an ambassador. (Finally those business cards will com in handy!)
Anyway, if you don't know what the GFAF Expo is, let me tell you! "The GFAF Expos are the largest and fastest growing special diet consumer events in the US. Started in 2007, the events are professionally managed and have expanded from one to seven cities throughout the United States. In addition to meeting the needs of the Celiac community, the Expo welcomes those with gluten sensitivities, auto-immune/inflammatory diseases and autism."
Some of the upcoming expos for the rest of 2015 and 2016 are as follows:
Secaucus, NJ - October 3-4, 2015
Dallas, TX - October 17-18, 2015
San Diego, CA - Feburary 20-21, 2016
Atlanta, GA - April 2-3, 2016
Schaumburg, IL - May 14-15 2016
Worchester, MA - July 23-24, 2016
I will be attending the one in Secausus the weekend of October 3rd, at the Meadowlands Expedition Center. If you want to attend, you can get 20% through October 2nd using this link. If you purchase your ticket through that link, you can get a FREE 1-year subscription to Delight Gluten Free Magazine! (That's my favorite G-Free mag, by the way)!
What can you expect at the expo? Well it's a vendor fair with over 100 vendors, who will be offering samples, coupons, discounted products for purchase from their brand, educational sessions by some of the leaders in the gluten-free/allergen-free community like: Jenna Drew, Silvana Nardone, Jen Cafferty, Dr. Peter Green, Amy Fothergill, and Carol Kicinski. There is also tons of free goodies and prizes to collect (I came back stocked!), and really, the best part is getting to meet and speak with your favorite brands, authors, bloggers and gluten-free peeps! You will meet so many new brands, people, and see tons of products to try!
My most memorable moment when I went 2 years ago was meeting the wonderful founders of GF Harvest, who produce safe gluten-free oats. They encouraged me to try oats again after a lengthy conversation, which lead me to the Ola! Granola stall (who is so sadly out of business now), and from there that began my extreme love for granola (and oats)! The expo is also where I discovered Wink! That was a fun company to meet in person!
So I am beyond excited an honored to be an official blog ambassador this year! I have one more surprise for you too! I have FOUR promo codes to give away to my readers who can attend the Secaucus expo, for free admission to one day of the expo (either Saturday or Sunday). The first 4 people to comment below that they can and will attend and would like a code will get an email from me with the code!
***GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED***
Can't wait to see you there!!!
You can connect with the GFAF Expo on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #GFAFExpo!
So tell me:
+ Have you ever been to any of the GFAF Expos?
+ What brand would you love to meet in-person?
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Shann Eva
That is awesome. Congratulations! I'm going to take my mom when it comes to Chicago.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks! You guys will have a blast!
Sarah
How exciting! I'm looking forward to the one we're going to be having in the UK in November. Last year was my first year going and I was so excited to load up on a ton of flours that aren't easy to find here. Looking forward to reading your blog about it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's awesome! Yea, these events are so great for being able to get some easy (discounted) access to some fabulous goodies!
Krissy @ Pretty Wee Things
I wish it was here in Australia too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Maybe one day!
Laura
I wish there was one coming to Canada:(
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think it's tome for a trip to the states 😉
Linda @ Veganosity
Congratulations! I'm so happy that you'll be able to attend, and use those business cards. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think I may be most excited about the business cards 😉 Hahahaha!
sue
So good to see gluten free becoming more acceptable and provided for.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a great expo!
Farrah
Oh em gee, I actually know where Secaucus is!! haha. 😛 This sounds like such an awesome opportunity--especially for you! <3 I can't wait to read your recap on it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I've missed it! It was so fun when I went 2 years ago! Excited to go again!
Michele
Oh man too bad I didn't see this early morning! I'd love to attend the one in Secaucus so I'll still check it out.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
YOU HAVE TO GO!!!! We can finally meet up!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
Any place that is the origin of your spectacular return to oats is a wonderful, wonderful place! It sounds almost like a GF foodie Disney World. I wish I could snack and chat through it all with you, that vendor list is pretty epic. You have to keep me posted on all the new fantastic things you find there! Everything! I need details! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I am planning an epic recap!!! (Hopefully giveaways too!!!) We would have so much fun there if we went together 😉 One day...one day 😉
Nikki Vergakes
So glad there's something out there like this! I love glutino products. I don't have any of these allergies, but I'm glad this is available to those that do. Also, I'm glad to see it's coming to MA! The city name is spelled "Worcester", a lot of people get it confused.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! It's great to attend for anyone!
GiGi Eats
Maybe I will actually make the trek to San Diego for this!!! I have always wanted to go to an ALLERGEN-FRIENDLY food expo!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's fun!
Eileen Kulhawy
My daughter has celiac and I would love to go!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you get to!
Tracy
Hi Rebecca.
Again thanks for all this info. Newly diagnosed with celiac this year and have been loving your blog. Glad this event is in NJ. Would love to go.
Tracy.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you get to attend!
Dorothy Bowersox
I would love to go. I have been diagnosed with celiac for 12 years. I love to see the new products!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You got it! Last ticket!
Sue Gitzen
I would love to attend! Thank you!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You got it girl!
Merrill
Hi,
I am a single mom with a a 23 year old son with a life threatening milk allergy and autism.... and we would love to attend this event!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You've got it girl!
Merrill K
Thank you!
Helene wasserman
Having 3 daughters ages 7 11 and 14 all diagnosed with celiac this past 6 months is a lifestyle changer and I might be as well but who has timento check yourself when so bust figuring out how to keep my daughters well. I would love to go to this expo even with them to show them their kind of normal exists and they can be safe. Thanks do the inf . If you want teenage and kid follow up let me know.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This would be so fun for them to attend then!