What do women want? The most challenging question of all time has been asked over and over.
Sigmund Freud never came up with an answer to the eternal question, but the organizers of a mini trade show April 11 in Parksville are confident they have.
A lot of the things that appeal to women will be offered at the third annual What Women Want trade show at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre (PCCC).
The evening will include live entertainment, a fashion show, fitness and dance demonstrations, tons of door prizes and vendor gifts, food, a cash bar and pampering stations.
With more than 50 vendors, the service showcase is aimed at promoting local businesses while offering women a few of their favourite things.
Guests will be treated to complementary makeovers, plenty of delicious appetizers, and of course, what every woman craves … chocolate.
While women want a lot of things, a night out with friends shopping while sampling appies and sipping spirits can be found on many a female to-do list.
The evening will provide an opportunity for women to spend time with friends and focus on the things they love including clothes, shoes, bags, accessories and pampering.
Donna Andres of Lady’s Mantle gift shop and accessory store in Parksville will be the MC of the event.
Andres was the driving force behind the very first What Women Want event and said she borrowed the idea from an event in Regina as a way to promote all of the businesses in town.
“I have been in business for five years and I know the struggles of new businesses. It is hard. Even for people who have been in business for 20 years they hear people say … oh I didn’t know you were here.”
More than 600 women attended last year’s sell-out event and Andres said everyone had a blast.
“The girls were having fun and the vendors had fun. Customers got to know business owners and they got great exposure.”
With 50 door prizes and a grand prize of a weekend get-away sponsored by the Beach Club Resort in Parksville, the function is sure to sell out quickly.
Tickets are $20 with proceeds going towards the new chairs for the PCCC.
A list of participating vendors can be found at www.whatwomenwantparksville.com.
Contact any vendor or the PCCC for tickets. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the fun starts at 7:30 p.m. Harris Oceanside Chevrolet will be providing safe rides home.