Preppers gather in Dalton in name of preparedness (June 6-8)

photo Northwest Georgia Trade & Convention Center

IF YOU GOWhat: Social Prepper's Trade ShowWhen: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. today-Saturday, June 6-8Where: Northwest Georgia Trade & Convention Center, 2211 Dug Gap Battle Road, Dalton, Ga.Admission: $15 one day, $35 three-day passPhone: 706-272-7676Website: www.nwgtcc.com

Not everyone has the mindset to fill a bunker with enough supplies to survive an apocalypse, but the basic rules that guide survivalists might apply to any disaster. Think about it: How long before a power disruption from a tornado would leave your family in a bind?

An expo starting today, June 6, at the Northwest Georgia Trade & Convention Center in Dalton will offer some insight into how to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies.

Presented by Social Prepper, the organization that launched the survival Facebook app "Prepper," it is the first such show to be held in the Southeast, according to media reports.

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, those involved in the prepper network prefer to be called preppers instead of survivalists because they are "regular people with normal lifestyles and jobs who prepare for a variety of reasons, whether natural or man-made."

Companies and vendors representing solar power, food, self-protection, disaster preparation, hunting and the like will be on hand at the three-day trade show. The American Prepper Network, a social network of like-minded bloggers, is one of the sponsors.

Survivor Jane, whose website is keyed to survival preparedness for women, and Rick Austin, known as "The Survivalist Gardener," will be speaking at the trade show.

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