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  1. Venues & Destinations
  2. Canada
  3. Toronto

National Home Show's Co-Location With Canada Blooms Increases Attendance by 91 Percent on Opening Day

Carla Warrilow
March 22, 2012

For the first time, the National Home Show co-located with Canada Blooms this year, forming what was billed as North America’s largest home-and-garden event. Although both shows still have separate operations and identities, they run side-by-side and one ticket gives guests access to both. The massive expos continue through Sunday, March 25, and take up the entire Direct Energy Centre with more than 600,000 square feet of exhibitions and features.

The co-location appears to be a success, with attendance figures for the National Home Show up 91 percent on March 16, the show’s first day. “We’re pretty excited about that,” said Denise Hayward, show manager for Marketplace Events, which runs the National Home Show. “Definitely having the co-location, the natural marriage of the two, just made sense.”

Just as attendance and show size have grown, so have the logistics. “It is the most complex operationally, and I’ve been doing this for 20 years,” Hayward said. “Logistically, the challenges are enormous.” The co-location sent ripples of change throughout the show, from the layout to the ticket structure. With 800 exhibitors and 65,000 square feet of gardens, the sheer size of the event made it a challenge to find space for storage and guest rest areas.

Parking was an equally difficult feat. “Parking is a huge challenge because we are expecting over 200,000 people over 10 days,” Hayward said. She secured Ontario Place for additional weekend parking and organized free parking at the Direct Energy Centre on weekday evenings as a draw for guests. “It’s all good problems to have,” Hayward said.

This being the first co-location year, Hayward admitted a bit of a learning curve. In between communicating with staffers via walkie-talkie, checking her email, and making calls, she mentioned that she’d like to bring on more staff next year.

Bryan Baeumler, of HGTV's Disaster DIY, spoke to a packed audience on Saturday at the National Home Show and Canada Blooms.
Bryan Baeumler, of HGTV's Disaster DIY, spoke to a packed audience on Saturday at the National Home Show and Canada Blooms.
Photo: Shaun Mitchell Photography
Guests for this year's shows can enter from either the National Home Show or Canada Blooms entrance.
Guests for this year's shows can enter from either the National Home Show or Canada Blooms entrance.
Photo: Shaun Mitchell Photography
Touch-screen concierge kiosks help guests navigate the large show. Guests are invited to answer a three-minute questionnaire with project options like interior decorating or landscaping, and the kiosks print out exhibitors that match their interests.
Touch-screen concierge kiosks help guests navigate the large show. Guests are invited to answer a three-minute questionnaire with project options like interior decorating or landscaping, and the kiosks print out exhibitors that match their interests.
Photo: Shaun Mitchell Photography
Large maps dispersed throughout the show floor allow attendees to find specific exhibitors.
Large maps dispersed throughout the show floor allow attendees to find specific exhibitors.
Photo: Shaun Mitchell Photography
Sponsored by HGTV, the 'Unlock Celebrity' stage is lined with trees, daffodils, and tulips.
Sponsored by HGTV, the "Unlock Celebrity" stage is lined with trees, daffodils, and tulips.
Photo: Shaun Mitchell Photography
This year, Canada Blooms is featuring Taiwanese capital Taipei as the international city garden. The area is filled with native plants and photos of the landscape, and pink and white lanterns hang overhead.
This year, Canada Blooms is featuring Taiwanese capital Taipei as the international city garden. The area is filled with native plants and photos of the landscape, and pink and white lanterns hang overhead.
Photo: Carla Warrilow/BizBash
Rogers sponsored Family Day on Friday, March 16, which provided free entry for children. Kids could take photos with mascots like the Maple Leaf's Carlton Bear, while Rogers staffers wore hard hats and utility belts.
Rogers sponsored Family Day on Friday, March 16, which provided free entry for children. Kids could take photos with mascots like the Maple Leaf's Carlton Bear, while Rogers staffers wore hard hats and utility belts.
Photo: Shaun Mitchell Photography
Kids can make arts and crafts at the Parks Canada Playscape. The area includes a giant sandbox, trout ponds, and a climbing wall.
Kids can make arts and crafts at the Parks Canada Playscape. The area includes a giant sandbox, trout ponds, and a climbing wall.
Photo: Shaun Mitchell Photography
The 3,600-square-foot 'Dream House' exhibit shows off the latest in sustainable home building technology. The house was built, finished, and decorated in just seven days.
The 3,600-square-foot "Dream House" exhibit shows off the latest in sustainable home building technology. The house was built, finished, and decorated in just seven days.
Photo: Carla Warrilow/BizBash
Guests can line up to tour the Dream House, which includes a master bedroom, children's bedroom, living room, kitchen, and patio.
Guests can line up to tour the Dream House, which includes a master bedroom, children's bedroom, living room, kitchen, and patio.
Photo: Shaun Mitchell Photography
Guests can lounge and sip wine at the Remax Winebar on the show floor.
Guests can lounge and sip wine at the Remax Winebar on the show floor.
Photo: Carla Warrilow/BizBash
Finding space for guest lounge areas and food stands was a challenge. Show organizers used all available space.
Finding space for guest lounge areas and food stands was a challenge. Show organizers used all available space.
Photo: Carla Warrilow/BizBash
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