Unite Virginia - Virginia's LGBTQ Media Company & Richmond Weddings to Host Engaged: Virginia's 1st Statewide LGBTQ Wedding Show

Virginia’s LGBTQ Media Company and Richmond Weddings are joining forces to present Virginia’s first statewide LGBTQ wedding show: ENGAGED! Less than one year after the U.S. Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land, ENGAGED will demonstrate that Virginia is truly open and welcoming to everyone. Wedding vendors and loving couples from across the Commonwealth will converge in the capital to celebrate marriage equality and demonstrate that Virginia is for all lovers.

This historic event will take place:
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2016 | 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.
The Greater Richmond Convention Center | Grand Ballroom C
403 North 3rd Street | Richmond, VA 23219

“Unite Virginia’s mission is to promote equality through storytelling. There’s no better story to tell than the love shared between two people. We are thrilled to partner with Richmond Weddings to present the first statewide LGBTQ wedding show in Virginia.”
–Justin Ayars, JD, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of Unite Virginia (www.unitevamag.com)

“Richmond Weddings has 26 years of experience in the wedding business. After marriage equality became law, our vendors began asking how to engage the LGBTQ demographic in a meaningful and authentic way. Given Unite Virginia’s inclusive mission and its statewide reach, they seemed a natural partner for us to work with as we begin to engage the LGBTQ community!”
-Amye & Scott Brunette, Owners of Richmond Weddings (www.richmondweddings.com)

MARRIAGE EQUALITY OPENS UP A NEW DEMOGRAPHIC FOR VIRGINIA’S DIVERSIFYING WEDDING INDUSTRY

• Virginia’s wedding industry is expected to grow by $72.5 million per year now that marriage equality is law
• The LGBTQ community boasts a purchasing power of $884 billion and represents a $100 billion tourism industry
• The LGBTQ community has a higher median income compared to the general population
• 71% of LGBTQ consumers remain loyal to brands that support the LGBTQ community
• 47% of LGBTQ consumers are more likely to buy from a company that directly markets to the LGBTQ community
• 23% of LGBTQ consumers have switched brands because a competitor was LGBTQ inclusive
• 83% of LGBTQ weddings have other pre/post wedding events (wedding showers, bachelor(ette) parties, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, after-parties, day-after brunches, etc.)
• 72% of LGBTQ weddings have a ceremony and a reception

ENGAGED – VIRGINIA’S FIRST STATEWIDE LGBTQ WEDDING SHOW

• Vendor booths cost $525 for a 8x8 space OR $1,020 for a 16x8 space
• Electricity is an additional $60
• Parking is available in the Greater Richmond Convention Center parking garage

To obtain more information about ENGAGED or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Justin Ayars, JD

804.276.8222

justin@unitevamag.com