6th Kentuckiana Showcase of Excellence

Typically, engaged couples planning nicer fairytale weddings or families planning a quinceanera, anniversary party, sweet 16, etc. exercise caution by adhering to and booking services from a predetermined vendor pool.

Many hesitate to explore beyond these options for fear that untested talents (by members in their loop) could fail and not serve at the level required.

This cautious approach is understandable.

Choosing from a familiar set of options is less stressful, you know exactly what to expect, with no surprises.

However, limiting your choices to a planner's Preferred List, a venue suggestions, or family recommendations can significantly reduce chances of finding exceptionally talented individuals who are capable of surpassing current options you are presented.

This poses an interesting delimma, would you agree?

The same people get used over and over and people more capable or bringing new, never before seen innovations are left out of consideration, effectively invisible.

Consider, for example, Quinceanera Black Ty Experience.

This service was unheard of in the Hispanic community because the creator is not Latino nor speaks Spanish. The service, however, was introduced because one person opened up the market after seeing it at weddings held at Grand Lion Event Center -- and using it for her own daughter's Quinceanera at the venue.

All reviews of this service, by the way, for weddings and quinceaneras are 5 stars.

Without this one opportunity, however, Black Ty Experience (a same day wedding album service offered in Kentucky exclusively by our emcee ) would never have gained traction in Quinceaneras.

The power of one person introducing excellence, inclusion and diversity is a game changer for any group or the vendor blessed with the opportunity.

Mind blowing special: If your Quinceanera is at Grand Lion Events (call Catherine or Alphonso at 502 210 0629) or held at Signature Venue or any of their 4 other venues (call Missy at 502 996 0565) you will receive $500 off the regular rate of Quinceanera Black Ty Experience. These venues have been awesome partners for the growth of our expo.

The special is applicable to any venue that has hosted or displayed at White Rose.

Venues fitting this criteria are: University Club on Brandeis Avonley Homested, Mellwood Arts Center, The Blankenbaker, First Unitarian and The Refinery.

If your venue isn't on this list, consider sending them a link to White Rose Wedding Show facebook page and ask them to review what we have done in 6 years. Our ad campaigns reach 100,000 but it's possible they might not have ever heard of us. Perhaps after hearing from you and seeing the event, they might consider displaying at our expo, the only one built exclusively on highlighting excellence, inclusion and diversity in Kentuckiana.

Let's continue now with the topic at hand of new talent virtually invisible.

Our organizers have witnessed a pattern repeatedly at certain venues in Louisville area: same vendors used over and over or if new vendors outside that loop happen to have opportunity, they are not highlighted on social media in the manner as those 'favored by the venue.' We are not exagerrating, we have seen this first hand. And have the correspondance to verify this claim. It's sad honestly. Those who know, know.

No one in Kentucky ever publicly talks about this... no expo would ever make the statement you're about to read... but we will say what goes unsaid: many Preferred Vendor's Lists we see in Kentucky are, to state it plainly, all white vendors. Only white.

Please do not misconstrue, we are not playing a race card or asking any decision maker to include a vendor based on race.

That is not fair in any capacity.

But.. on these homogenized choices, we respectfully ask is there not one single African American or Hispanic American worthy of being included on their Preferred Vendor's List?

In all of Louisville and surrounding areas, not one was up to par to include as even a back up to the mainstream list?

We don't believe that, nor do we think creators of these list operate with ill intent.

We think decision makers behind these lists are indeed open to inclusion and widening the reach of opportunity, but might have no idea where to even look for The Best of The best of overlooked talent.

Consider the sheer volume of vendors in each category. For example, if a bride to be posts on a wedding page ISO photographer, she will get 100 replies, within an hour. In that one category!

How can you or they realistically evalute and determine who is indeed top notch when flooded by that many applicants? Anyone would be hesitant to even begin to see what is available! Easier, much easier to just stick with what you know. Stay within the group. We get it.

Fret not.

The Showcase of Excellence 2024 is honored to introduce 40 extraordinary talents not yet in your network but worthy of consideration .

This event is an opportunity to uncover mind blowing amazing talent, often overlooked in Kentuckiana.

Prepare for delightful surprises at the Showcase of Excellence 2024.

Every participant on this floorplan is thoroughly vetted and proven to deliver top-tier products and services. Any of them would be a perfect addition to your fairytale wedding or quinceañera -- or possible an addition to your Vendor's List, especially the featured caterer. When time allows, find KMS Culinary and Catering on Facebook or Instagram. This is the level of excellence you'll find at our upcoming event. Thank you in advance for joining us and allowing these vendors a chance to hear about your event. Without you, they simply do not.

Most vendors we feature are LOCAL.

But if The BEST one is in surrounding areas like Lexington, Owensboro, Georgetown, Bardstown, Frankfort, etc... we will present them also. Where ever the BEST is who can serve you, we pull back the barriers and bars and proudly present them. At our last Showcase of Excellence, we were the first LOCAL expo to present Lexington Ice Sculptures.

Let's connect on June 9, 2024.

Anyone with a wedding planner is welcomed to attend at any time complimentary.

All others $10. Samples from the featured caterer will be worth more than that we assure you.

After 3pm admission is free, first 100 attendees receive white rose, swag bag, complimentary drink and note pad/pen. Because we do not share your personal information with anyone, please use the pad/pen to take notes of the talent that catches your attention.

You will be shocked by what your network is missing.

Join us if any of this vision resonates and you have an open mind willing to see talent virtually invisible in certain circles.

Let's open the market up by working together. If you and a few others join in this goal, all will rise together. Having said that, please consider sharing any post on our page that you particularly like. We advertise the event, but do not have anywhere near the ad spend of our mainstream counterparts in the Kentuckiana show industry. And we are fine with that, we have people like you who will help be the equalizer. Let's connect on June 9, 2024. 6th. Annual Showcase of Excellence.

We are appreciative and thankful of people like you. As you can see, we are a different kind of expo. Hopefully you are not put off by the realness outlined here.

Together we remove bars and barriers of access in Kentuckiana. .. opportunity for all who are deserving -- especially The Best of the best who might be unknown.

Meet 40 who fit the criteria on June 9th. Prepare to be shocked by what your network is missing. The BEST of the best is probably outside the box you've been confined in. That's the beauty of our expo. Let's connect June 9, 2024.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

University Club & Alumni Center, 200 East Brandeis Avenue, Louisville, United States