Working Women's Survival Show Comes to St. Charles Convention Center

Whether you're a CEO or a stay-at-home mom, all are welcome at the 24th Annual Working Women's Survival Show.

The show runs Friday through Sunday, Feb. 25-27, at the St. Charles Convention Center, One Convention Center Plaza in St. Charles. The center will be filled with more than 350 exhibits and multiple stages featuring information on fashion, food, fitness and more.

The Working Women's  Survival Show was created by Geri Kroon, who had been working on bringing shows such as Sesame Street Live and The Harlem Globetrotters to St. Louis.

"I was looking for a show that would be mine," she said. "This one overtook everything. I spend all year working on it."

The show launched in the 1980s and initially suffered from a perception problem.

"We never wanted to have the perception that it was only for working women. Trust me, we perceive women at home with kids to be working women, very much so. So that was an obstacle we had to overcome in the beginning," Kroon said.

"The one thing that we did see was that women going to work outside the home was incredibly strong. The percentages in St. Louis were very high. Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and St. Louis were extremely high," Kroon said. "That's why we thought it was something we could tap into. But also, there wasn't a resource. There wasn't anything happening."

Kroon said she wasn't trying to tap into any existing women's movement.

"We're just normal people. Everything about the show is normal. Whatever people do in their lives--whether it's their families, their husbands, their kids, themselves, their business, their jobs--it's all just everyday life. That's what we tap into," she said.

"The agenda is really helping people get some information and have some fun."

Among the presenters will be Karen Conant, a florist with Mexico Road Florist in St. Peters. She will give a 45-minute presentation on the topic "Honor Yourself with Flowers" on Friday and Sunday.

"Don't wait for someone else to buy your flowers, buy your own flowers. And I mean that," she said. 

People expect to receive flowers as gifts, but Conant wants everyone to think beyond that. "People love flowers, so why not buy them for yourself when you want to or need to?"

Conant will give demonstrations on how to display flowers. "If you come in and get a cash-and-carry bundle, I'll show you how to put it in a vase and make it look phenomenal."  

In addition to hundreds of exhibitors, the show features several activities and guests on multiple stages.

• The Missouri Lottery Entertainment Main Stage will feature games, prizes, programs on fashion, flowers and fragrances as well as entertainment by the St. Louis Sirens, Pazazz, Shades of Jade and the Mosaic Whispers.
• The Ms. Fix-It Stage will offer home improvement tips from Home Depot.
• The Firm, Fit and Feminine Stage will tackle topics like skin care, exercise, yoga and even pole dancing for fitness.
• Local chefs will demonstrate their talents on the Cooking Class Stage and Cuisine on the Green.
• If you're hungry or thirsty check out the action at Restaurant Row, the Wine Garden and Vinter's Vault.
• The Pampered in Paradise section offers attendees a chance to relax and unwind with a variety of rejuvenating treatments.
• The Hats Off for Cancer program is also returning. Visitors can receive a free haircut in exchange for a new children's cap to be donated to pediatric cancer patients. If you don't have a cap, you can get a haircut for a $15 donation
• This year's special guest is Clinton Kelly, co-host of the makeover reality show, What Not to Wear.

"We'll have 21 seminars covering anything you can think of," Kroon said. "There will be over 100 booths in the upper level and over 200 booths in the lower level. We sell out our exhibitor space.

"It's a good show, people love it."

Tickets for the Working Women's Survival Show are available online or at Shop 'n Save. Tickets cost $9 for adults; $7 for children age 6-11 and seniors age 60 and older; and $5 for college students with valid college ID. Children ages 6 and under are admitted free. A two-day pass is available for $12.

For more information, including a schedule of events, and to purchase tickets, visit www.wwssonline.com.