A Day in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Last Sunday, I flew to Chattanooga, Tennessee to attend She – An Expo for Women. She is a wonderful two-day event that offers women good food, health and beauty tips, entertainment, shopping, and just plain fun, sponsored by The Chattanooga Times Free Press, EPB Fiber Optics, and Memorial Hospital. The event was held at the Chattanooga Trade and Convention Center and the venue was filled with more than 150 vendors. I was asked to take part in a moderated Q&A with interaction with the audience at the end. On the way to the convention center, we stopped first at Memorial Hospital, where I met with a lovely group of female donors and physicians. Here are some photos taken that day.
1 Here I am with the lovely group of high level donors and physicians, who hosted the brunch at the Memorial Hospital Women's Center.
2 I was asked to share my health tips and talk about my involvement in the Martha Stewart Center for Living and Northern Westchester Hospital ER
3 The captive audience was very gracious.
4 The tables were decorated with pretty floral arrangements and colorful goodie bags.
5 After the hospital, I arrived at the Chattanooga Trade and Convention Center for the She Expo for Women.
6 My speech entitled 'Life is a Balancing Act' was well-advertised.
7 Before my speech, I sat and signed copies of my books that the attendees brought.
8 Someone toted around my Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts.
9 I also signed headshots.
10 I'm always happy to meet my younger fans.
11 Many women attended the She Expo.
12 This woman told me that she was having a very good time.
13 Posing with a couple of sharks from the famous Chattanooga Aquarium - Here I am with little Angel with my scary shark face on.
14 The pink shark had a copy of my Cookies book for me to sign.
15 And posing with Angel and her father, Chuck.
16 The wonderful staff of the Chattanooga Times Free Press - Tanya Williamson, Lyndsi Sebastian, and Jason Taylor, President of the CTFP
17 One of my security escorts - Chattanooga’s finest, Sgt. Austin Garrett
18 And with Sgt. Tommy Meeks
19 After the signing, I sat for a moderated Q&A. The moderator/interviewee was Alison Lebovitz, president of the non-profit One Clip at a Time.
20 There were big screens in the convention center, set up around the expo so everyone could see.
21 The set was designed by a local designer, Marsha Yessick of Yessick’s Design center
22 For 45-minutes, I was asked many interesting questions, including what it was like to finally be a grandmother.
23 Then, there were 15-minutes of audience Q&A.
24 The Expo featured more than 150 vendor booths, offering exciting new products, fashions, food, and ideas for you and your home.
25 A nice photo of Jason & Tayna
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
I'm glad you had a good time, Martha. I would have liked to have been there to meet you, but I'm just glad to be anywhere right now.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | July 21st, 2011 at 12:16 am
How cool was this? I wish the people from She had thought to market this to a wider audience, like NW Georgia. I would have loved to have attended!
Posted by: Jamie | July 21st, 2011 at 8:05 am
Hi Martha, What a fantastic day that must have been in Chattanooga, Tennessee! These photos of that fabulous event were absolutely beautiful and everything seemed so relaxing and fun to see! You looked absolutely stunning and charming in your beautiful outfit! It's easy to see that everyone at that event was having a terrific time meeting you, having you sign books and photos, and and listening to your answers to many questions!!! Yesterday was terrific, also! Being able to see you at that cupcake contest in Orlando and then seeing you on HSN at 9PM to 11PM our time was fantastic!! Will watch you again on HSN at 8AM today! I love all of these extra things that you provide for all of us to enjoy! How is sweet little Sharkey today? Sure hope she is doing better! Hope you have another great day in Florida today! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 21st, 2011 at 10:13 am
It was great seeing you at the She Expo. I was not aware of the booksigning, but I did see you onstage and enjoyed it so much. Hope you will return to the area, so I can get an autograph next time.
Posted by: Vivian Price | July 21st, 2011 at 10:43 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | July 21st, 2011 at 10:48 am
Nice that you took the time to attend this most worthy event. Martha...you look so lovely and have such a pretty Summer glow about you.
Wishing that you will soon come back to Vancouver, BC for an event!
Posted by: sherey | July 21st, 2011 at 11:48 am
Hi Martha,
I don’t know how long the She Expo has been around but it appears to be a very popular yearly event. I might never have known about it if I hadn’t found out you were appearing. I like the way Marsha Yessick decorated the stage and agree that it did look homey.
~
I’m watching you and Alex on HSN and got to thinking that if I never crafted before, just seeing your tools would make me want to start. The people calling in reiterated the same comment that your tools are the best and so easy to use. My sister has weak hands but I bet she could use your punches after hearing you and Alex talk to the caregiver that called in. I’ll find out! You also said something about a Craft’s show – I’ll be anxious to see that! Trish
Posted by: Trish | July 21st, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Martha - thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to visit Chattanooga. You were the talk of the town! I especially loved meeting you at the book signing (you signed my Martha interview in Chatter Mag! and one of my many Martha cookbooks) and I was in the front row to hear you speak ... we are all dying to know what you did with the peaches you bought at the local market!
Posted by: Rebecca Atchley | July 21st, 2011 at 5:24 pm
You look lovely in these photos! I believe that pink is your color. I also love the "set/stage" that the design center created!
Posted by: Cheryl Jones | July 21st, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Enjoyed meeting you at the She Expo in Chattanooga. Can't wait to try some of the recipes in my new book you signed. Just looked at the pictures you posted and I love the one with you, my daughter and my grandson. "It's a good thing."
Posted by: Nancy McAlister | July 21st, 2011 at 10:14 pm
I would love to have gone to see you in person.
The table decorations look very cool.
My husband and I have a unique yogurt and ice cream shop by the Walnut St walking bridge in downtown Chattanooga. So I hope if you are ever here again, that you will stop in so we can make our favorite creations for you.
Our saying is, "We'll change the way you think about ice cream..Forever. "
Lynda
Posted by: Lynda Curtis | July 22nd, 2011 at 12:28 am
hi Martha,
You graciously signed your entertaining book for my daughter for her 9th birthday!! She absolutely loved it!!!! Thank you so much for coming to Chattanooga, we loved having you!!!!
thanks
Jennifer and CHloe Hendrix
p.s. you are even more beautiful in person.
Posted by: Jennifer Hendrix | July 22nd, 2011 at 2:57 pm
DEAR MR MARTHA,
I AM CONVINCED NOW, AFTER FOLLOWING YOU WORK ,YOUR PERSEVERENSE AND YOUR SENSE OF RESPONSABILITY ,THAT YOU ARE A LADY OF HIGH MORAL QALITIES .I COULD WRITE MORE AND MORE ABOUT YOU BUT AM SURE THAT GREAT MIND LIKE YOU DONT NEED BLA BLA BLA YOU ARE SURE WHO AND WHAT YOU ARE ,I WISH YOU LUCK, HEALTH WEATH AND MORE SUCCESS .MAY GOD BLESS YOU MME MARTHA .THANK YOU FOR KEEPING ME HAPPY AND WAITING FOR MORE ACHIEVEMENTS .
PLEASE DO ACCEPT MY DEEPEST RESPECTS AND MY BEST REGARDS.
N.B AS FOR MY QUESTION FOR HELP ,I WILL KEEP IT FOE LATER SINCERLY,YOURS,
SABAH
Posted by: sabahzantout | July 22nd, 2011 at 8:35 pm