It's a Deaf Thing

Our Sponsor

Biggest Deaf Event in Lakeland, FL

booth reserved

sponsorshipS

FREE ticketS

FAQ

Is the show Deaf-owned?

The first question I want to answer, we are not “Deaf Owned”, we’re something better! The event is being sponsored by ProjectDEAF, a registered 501(c)(3) agency in the state of Florida. We were founded by members of the Deaf Community who wanted to promote Deaf Community and Awareness. All key event positions are held by Deaf. We also felt the void left by the absence of DeafNation and we decided to step into the gap.

how many attendees are you expecting?

Last year, we had nearly 2,000 in attendance. Our event, registered with EventBrite, has already seen registrations for our free tickets from the Deaf Community in Florida on a daily basis. Do you have yours?

how many exhibitors are you expecting?

We have a signed contract with the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, FL. The 27,000-sq. ft. the facility gives us plenty of space for 100 vendor booths. We are scheduling workshops and entertainment throughout the day on the stage.

can you share a booth with friend/family?

Yes, you can share your booth with whoever you would like.

David Lind

David Lind is a nationally certified interpreter living in Clearwater, FL. He began learning sign language at age 14 and has interpreted in community, VRS and VRI settings. He has a Bachelor’s in Counseling and has completed an M.Div. from Liberty University in Virginia. He currently works as an reservist interpreter for FEMA and volunteer president of ProjectDEAF, a registered 501(c)(3), based in Largo, FL. ProjectDEAF was founded by members of the Deaf Community who wanted to promote Deaf Community and Awareness.

Bobbi Lind

Bobbi Lind is a pricing analyst for a major Defense Contractor. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration as well as a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Accounting. She is one of the founders of ProjectDEAF currently serving as Treasurer. She is learning ASL by spending significant time in the Deaf Community alongside her husband David who is the President of ProjectDEAF.

Jackie Haig

Jackie Haig is the Volunteer Coordinator for It’s A Deaf Thing and is a strong-willed and a respected Deaf advocate for the local Deaf community. Hailing from NY, moved to FL at mid-teens and earned her MA degree at USF Tampa in FL. She has integrity and compassion for those around her, juggling multiple jobs, Deaf Club, and several non-profit organizations. She is an adrenaline-junkie who loves riding ATVs, hitting the go-kart track and walks.

Tami Lieu

Tammy Lieu was born deaf. She is the Booth Coordinator for It’s A Deaf Thing. She has a deaf brother and hearing sister. She was mainstreaming through school years. She was a former student of NTID (National Technology Institute for the Deaf) year 1985-1988 in Rochester, NY. She graduated at VCC (Valencia Community College) in Orlando, FL with A.A. degree in Accounting major. She has a grown hearing son and daughter. She has a hearing husband. She starts working for ZVRS as a part time and helping out her husband’s small business selling lucky bamboos.

Elaine Hampton

Elaine attended Ringling College of Art and Design and graduated with her BFA degree in Illustration. She is the Art/Craft Coordinator for It’s A Deaf Thing. She works for Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf to assist the teacher in the classroom and teach Pre-K through 8th-grade art. She also has been painting, drawing or creating art at some times. Not always like she used to. Hopefully one day she could do more often. Elaine still does freelance art for clients or sell art online. She came from a big family of six and is the only one in her family who is deaf. She was not born deaf but lost her hearing after contracting spinal meningitis as an infant. Elaine is married to her husband, William, who is hard of hearing and they have four beautiful children Anna, Nicholas, Rebekah, and Jacob – all of whom are hearing. When Elaine is not doing art, she enjoys going to the beach, movies, or go on the trip with her family.

Terry Hunt

Terry Hunt is the Web Master for ProjectDEAF and It’s a Deaf Thing, a business owner of Whoa Website and My Geeks Host. He was born profound deaf! Terry has earned his Associate degree in Computer Science at Rasmussen College and will be continuing his education in B.S. degree in Computer Science at St. Pete College. He’s also certified software developer. He has great understanding in Network Administrator, System Administrator, Web Administrator, Computer Help Desk, and so on. His favorite things to do on his free time is to go to deaf socials on Friday nights or spend time with his wife, Rebekah Hunt and their new baby, Asher (who is learning sign language).

Bruce Bowman

Born in Lakeland Florida I attended Ft Lauderdale Oral School from 1968 to 1973. I then transferred to Florida School for the Deaf in St Augustine Fl where I graduated. I then attended Delgado Jr College in New Orleans La where I studied Draft and Lettering from 1977 to 1979. I currently work at the Publix Headquarters Printing Dept where Printing is a Pleasure. I have to do work on IGen 5 Xerox for Publix I am Deaf Project in Polk co and Hills co for Deaf Events and I am host of Truck Rally Food and BlackBrew Coffee and I help Students American Sign Language part at Lakeland HS and HCC by 1980 I attend to Lakeland Baptist Deaf Church in Lakeland Right now I work with Staff at It Deaf Thing. I hope Get best service for Deaf People I love Traveling and last Fall in Alaska and Seattle Wa I married to Jackie Bowman by April 21 1990 so She will help me for It deaf thing