| EVENT REPORT 03.03.09 1:42 PM |
PRINT | SEND TO A FRIEND |
|
| Ready for Spring |
| At this season's Capital Home & Garden Show, more than 750 exhibitors displayed products and trends at the Dulles Expo Center. |
|
| The Capital Home & Garden Show unveiled expanded garden displays and introduced area consumers to its new spokesman before wrapping up a four-day run on Sunday at the Dulles Expo Center. This year more than 750 regional and national exhibitors (30 fewer than last year) displayed indoor and outdoor consumer products and promoted home improvement services at booths in the North and South Halls of the 200,000-square-foot venue. Despite the ongoing rash of home foreclosures and tightened consumer spending, show manager Brian Osika said attendance was stronger than expected. |
|
CONTINUED > |
|
|
PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Professional Grounds Inc. used both landscaping and a video presentation in its booth.
Photo: BizBash |
|
|
 | The 9,000-square-foot "Idea Garden" was a new feature of the show this year.
Photo: BizBash |
|
|
 | Local landscape companies spent three days building their exhibits.
Photo: BizBash |
|
|
 | Signage throughout the show directed attendees to exhibits of products endorsed by show spokesman Ty Pennington.
Photo: BizBash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The twice-yearly (spring and fall) show is produced by Cleveland, Ohio-based Marketplace Events, a company that produces 32 such shows across the United States and Canada. Osika said that some exhibitors downsized their exhibit space this year, for instance, from 300 to 200 square feet. But the show continues to be popular, he said, because consumers, as well as exhibitors, appreciate the advantages a trade show offers: “Unlike a newspaper ad or a TV commercial, at a show, consumers have the benefit of hands-on touch and feel of products. They can compare prices.”
A new feature this season was the 9,000-square-foot walk-through “Idea Garden,” constructed by seven Northern Virginian landscape companies, displaying fully-bloomed gardens and trends in outdoor furniture, fire pits, fountains, rock paths, and custom stone work. Nearby, in a “Garden Theater,” trade professionals conducted potting demos and planting workshops.
In January, Marketplace signed a three-year contract with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition star Ty Pennington to be the show's spokesman. Marketplace uses quotes from Pennington and his image on signage and in print ads. There was also an exhibit called “Ty Style,” which displayed home furnishings featured in his At Home magazine.
In a recession, or in any year, Marketplace encourages exhibitors to present the best booth possible. At an annual training session, Marketplace teaches exhibitors what Osika calls tricks of the trade, like how to greet customers, the advantages of standing rather than sitting in a booth, how to gather sales leads, and booth aesthetics. “We also discuss what to avoid,” said Osika. That would be the booth with a foot-wide, propped-up vinyl banner behind a naked rental table, manned by an expressionless salesman with an order book.
The competing Washington Home & Garden Show, produced by Alexandria-based TJS Events, comes to Walter E. Washington Convention Center on March 19 through 22.
—Walter Nicholls
RELATED TOPICS
Capital Home & Garden Show, Marketplace Events, ABC, At Home, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
MORE EVENT REPORT STORIES
MoMA Gets Suitably Whimsical and Macabre for Tim Burton Tribute
New Moon Premiere Beckons 10,000 People and 2 Live Wolves
MSNBC and Rodale Fete Jeff Corwin's New Book and Documentary at the Occidental
Dark and Moody Accents, Animal-Inspired Decor Appear on Tabletops at Diffa's Dining by Design
More Photos From Fight Night/Knock Out Abuse: Stogies, Laser Shows, and a VW Bus Bar
MORE STORIES ABOUT ABC
In the News: Magazine Builds Revenue With Events, White House Disapproves of Destination Meeting Blacklist
As Spellers Dwindle, the Stage Shrinks at National Spelling Bee
Warhol-Style Portraits, Serpentine Modern Lounge Highlight Jam-Packed Correspondents' Dinner Pre-Parties
| More Suppliers/Venues to Consider |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|
Decatur House
Decatur House offers the ideal balance of historical significance and classic Washington style. Whether entertaining in the courtyard, surrounded by lavish green gardens, the carriage house, with stunning vaulted ceilings, or its elegant historic parlors, Decatur House provides an unrivaled setting for your event. rnDecatur House welcomes you to continue the tradition of more than 180 years of fine Washington entertaining with your special event, party, conference, or wedding reception. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Nomad Event Systems
Nomad Event Systems is an international award-winning event production company in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside the nation's capital. Nomad’s clientele includes Fortune 500 companies, governments, nonprofits, national recording artists, and embassies. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Perfect Settings L.L.C.
Recognized as one of the top party rental companies in the nation’s capital, Perfect Settings is known for its exquisite custom linen, unique tabletop settings, trendsetting furniture, and lighted bars. Backed by a staff with years of experience in the party industry, the company offers exceptional service—no matter how big or small the job. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
