Parents, mums-to-be and many small businesses will get to attend a long-awaited pregnancy and baby expo on Saturday that was originally planned for last July.
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The brainchild of event director Rachel Lee, the free exhibition is being held at University Hall from 9.30am but bookings are required to meet COVID-19 requirements.
Ms Lee said the inaugural Coal Coast Pregnancy & Baby Expo will showcase products and services from throughout the region.
She said it was a great opportunity to support small businesses who have been doing it tough in 2020. It will allow mums and families to go out safely and check out many different products all in one location.
Mrs Lee's goal is for the event to help reduce the overwhelming feeling that can come in preparing for a baby or getting toddler-ready.
The exhibits are spaced to provide a perfect opportunity to ask questions, try out products, and purchase gifts for babies, mums and little people this Christmas.
"After my first child was born I realised there are a lot of fabulous businesses in the area that can help make motherhood that little bit easier. But finding those businesses was a real challenge," she said.
"I thought about it a long time and then 18 months ago I pulled a team of mums together and we set the wheels in motion.
"In this online age and this time of social distancing, expectant and new families need all the help they can get accessing the information, services and products they need. We've kept the focus on small business exhibitors, and have created the event we wish we'd had when we were expecting our own babies."
Mrs Lee said interest was high and thinks that is because people are eager to come out and attend an event that can help make motherhood a little easier.
"Every effort is being made to ensure the COVID-safe event still delivers a great experience for attendees, with a spacious and air conditioned venue, room for prams, baby facilities and plenty of time to chat with exhibitors.
"What we have tried to do is really reduce the overwhelm. There is no event like this in the Illawarra. We want to be able to connect everyone. And we want to provide an opportunity where there are not all the same kind of products and businesses."
Erin Jamieson, of Sensory Studio at Fairy Meadow, and Jess DeAngelis, of designer nappy change clutch business Ben & Ellie, are among close to 40 exhibitors at the expo.
Mrs Jamieson said it will be amazing to showcase what she does to such a broad audience.
"My business is only a year old and I haven't done an expo before. For me it is going to be great to be able to connect with people and expectant mums," she said.
"I am really looking for to networking and meeting other mums in business and like-minded women.
"We haven't really had anything like this in the Illawarra before. It is a first for us all."
Mrs Jamieson has a daughter on the autism spectrum and started the business in late 2019 after struggling to find resources that were suitable for her and products that engaged her senses.
She said there were products online but she wanted to give people a chance to come into a store to see, feel and try the range available. And ask questions.
Mrs DeAngelis said although the business she co-founded serves a global market, it is exciting to have an opportunity to exhibit in her hometown.
"Being an online retailer, we love the opportunity to show people our products in real life, and to chat with other mums about how we can help make their lives easier," she said.
"Rachel has created a valuable local network, and the in-person aspect means there's also no worry about delivery in time for Christmas. We'll have our products available for mums to buy and take home on the day."
Maddie Beevers, of Village Physio in Shellharbour, said the event will help her mission to reach and help as many women as possible.
"Our pre and post-natal physio services are focused on education for new and expectant mothers," she said.
"Helping them learn what's normal, what's not, and what to look out for as their bodies change.
"We haven't been to an event like this before, so it's an exciting opportunity for us to chat to mums, and help them feel empowered on their pregnancy and new baby journey."
Mrs Lee said following such strong interest there are plans to make the expo an annual event.
See a full list of exhibitors here.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
