The Body and Sol Women’s Expo will hold its inaugural multiday retreat and extravaganza on March 8 and 9, at the Tucson Convention Center. The community event aims to enrich the spirits and lives of Tucson’s women and provide a place where learning, creativity and purpose strengthen community businesses. Organizers are seeking participants and sponsors to join more than 200 community exhibitors showcasing their innovative products and services.

The Expo’s focus lies on small business owners, artists and health and fitness practitioners, exhibitors and sponsors. The event will feature live music, a local fashion show, a health and fitness stage for topics such as Zumba and boot camp and a kitchen stage that will host cooking demonstrations, including samples for the audience. Expo topics include how to be healthy in mind, body and spirit; ideas, inspiration and resources to help reach our maximum potential; healthy, nutritious and delicious food; ideas to make any space beautiful and supportive, including home decor, floral and landscape; and ways to present our best self, such as fashion and jewelry, all within a setting that respects the history, art and culture of Tucson.

Paul Boynton, author of the book, Begin With Yes, will be a keynote speaker for the event. Begin With Yes will also be the expo’s theme, inspiring attendees to not only have a dream, but to also change their lives in powerful and amazing ways. Boynton’s idea is about becoming unstuck and finally owning one’s own life. It expands on the Law of Attraction and introduces the Law of Action, which puts people in charge of making big things happen. The lineup of speakers also includes Ann Marie Chiasson, M.D., from the faculty at Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona and the author of Energy Healing: The Essentials of Self Care; Susie Cox, worldwide followed master astrologer and author of four books and a monthly astrology column, What’s Your Sign?, written for the wellknown designer Tory Burch; and Becky Aikman, the author of Saturday Night Widows: The Adventures of Six Friends Remaking Their Lives.

Expo festivities will be marked by a VIP Reception on March 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., held in the swanky east entrance of the Tucson Convention Center. World-renown guitarist Gabriel Ayala will perform at the reception honoring Southern Arizona small business owners, the men and women that courageously start and grow small businesses that become the fiber of our community.

This annual Expo is also supporting two local charities. Wings for Women, which was founded by Nadia Valle in June 2010, helps women and children with basic needs such as rent, utilities, job searching and resume writing. In 2012, they improved the quality of life for 48 women and 68 children in our community. Youth On Their Own (YOTO) was founded in 1986 by Ann Young. YOTO’s priority is the education of youth 12 to 21 years of age, and it focuses on promoting high school graduation and continued success for homeless youth. YOTO provides financial assistance and guidance to 700 students each school year. A portion of the proceeds from this event, including 100 percent of all auctions at the Expo, will benefit these two nonprofits.

With enthusiastic support from Mayor Rothschild and the city of Tucson, The Body and Sol Women’s Expo 2014 will bring business downtown and support the city’s economic development. The mission of the Expo is to energize southern Arizona’s economy, similar to cities like San Diego, Seattle, Palm Desert and Phoenix, all of which have community-enriching women’s expos. The exciting event, originated by two local Tucson women and custombuilt for Southern Arizona, connects creative business owners with the spirited women of our community for an exciting experience of education, innovation and entertainment. Holly Baker, Expo co-founder and publisher of the Tucson Natural Awakenings magazine, says, “This is a great opportunity to bring the sellers and buyers together for a rockin’ good time.”

Contact Holly Baker, 520-760-2378 and Barbara Peters, 520-468-8005. BodyAndSolProductions.com, Body and Sol Productions on Facebook. facebook.com/BodyandSolProductions.