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A dietician by trade, Tyler Earl spent years traveling around the country participating in trade shows. After awhile, Tyler got tired of traveling and wanted to do something a little closer to home. Tyler and his wife, Debbie, decided to organize a health and fitness show.
During the planning stages for the event, Tyler traveled to Florida to work on a women's show as a courtesy for some of his larger clients. It wasn't the niche he was accustomed to, but he felt the idea had great potential. After returning to Utah, Tyler and Debbie changed their business plan, modified the direction of their new company - 1st Class Weekend Events, headquartered in West Jordan - found investors and launched their show. Little did they know how much their idea would take off.
Ten years later, Tyler and Debbie's event, the Utah Women's Show, is the largest, most interactive women's event in the Salt Lake City area. Debbie's goal for the program is to show women exactly what resources are available. Booths involve fashion, finance, car care, cooking, hairstyles, small business tips, and even scrapbooking.
One of the regular exhibitors is Home Depot, which brings tools and blocks of wood. Guests can use the tools to make wooden toys that are donated to Primary Children's Medical Center. Attendees get the satisfaction of participating in a service activity while also being exposed to different types of tools and how to use them.
Last year's event attracted more than 6,000 participants, some from as far away as Nevada, Wyoming and Southern Utah. Tyler says the more interactive the booth, the better it is received. Home Depot is always a big hit, but health screenings are also popular. And makeovers, jewelry and fashion tend to draw large crowds.
The 10th Annual Utah Women's Show will be held this weekend, Nov. 6-7, at the South Towne Expo Center. Debbie encourages women of all ages to stop by to learn, participate and shop, because there is always something of interest to every woman.
