Jay Handy of the LGBT EXPO NYC

On Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1, the Jacob Javits Center will be the setting for the spectacular LGBT Expo extravaganza. Expected at this event will be approximately 350 vendors, many with giveaways, enlightenments, lectures, weddings and a live stage show, just to name a few. I recently spoke with Jay Handy, the expo’s producer, about the event. 

So what can we expect from the expo this year?
You know, being the new production guy, it’s always fun the first time out. I think we’re asking the same thing. We’re excited to get our arms around the event, just a little background on it.  The management company that I own took over the LGBT Expo this year.

What’s the name of the company you own?
It’s called “Life Out Loud Events,” and that company is now the management of The Original LGBT Expo. Formerly it was The Original GLBT Expo last year. The RDP Group was actually the first trade show company I worked for right out of college. When I graduated from the University of Rhode Island, I moved to Connecticut and found through a random help wanted ad a job at the RDP Group, so I took it. That was my first exposure to trade shows in general. … It was then the Gay and Lesbian Business and Entertainment Expo. It was the first trade show I ever produced. So in a full circle, 12 years later, when the RDP Group that was running it before was really looking to retire, I was the first person they called. It’s kinda cool.

Where are you based out of?
We’re based out of Philadelphia. So this year we’re kind of in charge of maintaining a great event that’s been going on for 21 years, but at the same time kind of reviving and bringing an entirely new generation into it. The RDP Group before did some amazing things with the event, but it certainly says something when everybody except for one person retired.

What’s the website?
theLGBTexpo.com. There is the heart and soul of the event, the general admission. There you can save 25% off the tickets by basically sharing the event on your social network.

How do people get tickets?
They can either buy them online or they can buy them the day of the event at the box office.

Where will the event take place?
It’s at the Jacob Javits Center, 655 W 34th Street, NYC.

How many vendors do you expect?
I think there will be about 350.

Is there still time for the people who want to get a space?
Yep on exhibit space. This year one of the new things that we have is we’re offering VIP tickets, so the general admission tickets are $20 and the VIP tickets are $40. The VIP ticket gets you a shoulder bag, a t-shirt, a ton of different discounts and freebees from sponsors and it also gets you into the VIP after parties at no charge.
That’s fun! So what kind of guests will you be having?
Man, the great thing about this event is it’s so broad and so wide reaching. We’ve increased the presence of the entertainment stage with new shows. So we have a lot of different and new performers coming through, everything from comedians to DJs to dancers to drag queens, you name it. We’ve also added a seminar series to the show, with just different LGBT topics. It’s not anything too stuffy or boring. We’re bringing in different speakers and drawing from our exhibitors and sponsor base. There’s a film festival that runs throughout, which is really cool. So there’s plenty of stuff that will keep you entertained.

Can you name a few?
We have Destiny Devine, Aris, Aaron Paul. We have a ton of new exhibitors we brought in, some pretty well-renowned artists and painters that will be there. A lot of their artwork will be for sale. We have some awesome new sponsors this year. Uber just signed on; it’s the official transportation sponsor, and they’re giving out a ton of different discounts with your ticket. You get a $20 free ride with a VIP ticket—I think it’s $25 or $30 free ride. We also have Delta signed up and Key West. The event itself has an entire wedding expo called “The Engaged Wedding.”  That’s an entire area that’s set aside for everything that’s gay wedding orientated, whether it be venue, flower places, etc. We are actually doing a wedding on Saturday at the show. It’s actually a huge contest that we’re running currently on the website. It’s a $30,000 wedding and honeymoon package. They get flown to New York, everything is all donated from wedding cakes to wedding rings. They have the wedding ceremony right at the show, and they go for a four-day, five-star honeymoon in Costa Rica.

Wow.
Yeah, we’re talking like private chef dinners each night. It’s pretty crazy. So the wedding portion is an ever-growing part of the event. The gay travel section is also a large portion.

I’m really, really excited to go.
It’s all coming together really well. It’s fun to be the new guy on the block. We’ve gotten some amazing feedback.

Jay, do you do this in other states as well?
This is the only location currently that it’s done, in NYC. One of our first line items after the show is to look at other markets that may be amenable to it. We certainly have had our eye on Chicago for quite some time. So we’re excited. We have a lot of new stuff going on with it.

thelgbtexpo.com