Among the 137 vendors at the 2008 Home Remodeling Expo are a record 13 remodeling companies, according to Charlyce Ruth, operations manager for the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield.
"Whether it be a structural change, like doing an addition to your home, remodeling your kitchen, remodeling your bathroom or (finishing) out the basement, (they are) full-service companies," Ruth said, noting that the vendor roster also includes companies that provide products and labor for remodeling projects.
"If you have got some general ideas of what you would like to see happen to your home, you can see products you can use to accomplish (those) and meet with professionals who can help you take care of that project," Ruth added.
Ruth expects attendance of about 6,500 - similar to last year - for the three-day event, to be held in the E-Plex at the Missouri Entertainment and Event Center, 3001 N. Grant Ave.
She said her office already has received several inquiries about the show from the public.
"Remodeling is a very busy part of the construction business right now," she said. "A lot of people are choosing to stay in their homes a little while longer. People are modernizing them, updating them, so they can get a little more enjoyment out of their home instead of moving."
Panels of experts
As in years past, there will be seminars offered at the expo, but a change is that they will now be presented by the HBA Remodelors Council and led by expert panels, rather than representatives of a single group or company.
The three seminars - "Seniors: Remodel it Right!," "Which Remodeler is Right for Your Project" and "Improving for Value & Lifestyle" - will be held throughout the show (see schedule at right).
"We realize one person doesn't come to every single day of the expo. This gives them the opportunity to choose the day they want to come and still be able to go to the seminar they would like to see," Ruth said. "Each seminar will be hosted by a panel of ... three or four remodelers discussing the subject so that people attending will get a couple different viewpoints on it. Everyone does projects slightly different."
Andy Flint, owner of HA Construction Design and chairman of the HBA Remodelors Council, said the Remodelors Council met with potential panelists individually. Once panelists were chosen, the council then determined what the sessions would cover.
"The people involved in the seminars are very up-to-date with what's going on with remodeling," he said. "Besides the styles, colors and types of remodeling that people are interested in doing, altering their house to fit their lifestyle is a big part of the seminars.
Jack Pugh, co-owner of B's Renaissance Renovations LLC, will participate in the "Seniors: Remodel it Right!" discussions.
"I will be talking about how to make your home more comfortable as you age," Pugh said, noting that better lighting and increased accessibility are two key issues.
Pugh said that he decided to participate as a panelist in the session because given his age, he has "a real understanding of the need people have as they mature into their 50s and beyond."
David B. Rhodes, co-owner with Pugh, will serve as an expert for the Which Remodeler is Right for Your Project? seminar, which will focus on choosing a contractor and communicating well with them throughout the project.
"The process starts when you're choosing a contractor," Rhodes said. "Make sure you're comparing apples to apples. (I'll be) talking about communication all the way through the project, as far as if you run into trouble, how that is going to be dealt with."
Rhodes added that choosing the right contractor is the key to an entire project, because if communication breaks down between the homeowner and the contractor, the whole project suffers.
The third seminar, "Improving for Value & Lifestyle," addresses making home modifications as homeowners' lifestyles change.
Sold-out show floor
While the panel approach is the big change to this year's Home Remodeling Expo, Ruth said all vendor booths are filled - and most companies have plans for reaching out to potential customers.
"I'm really excited about some of the changes people are ... making in their booths," Ruth said, noting that attendees will have access to plenty of information.
"Our vendors work incredibly hard on their displays and it shows. They're very quality booths."
B's Renaissance Renovations is among the first-time vendors at the show, and owners Pugh and Rhodes will showcase their specialty, renovating century-old homes.
"The booth will be set up as the front of a home showing the types of remodeling we do," Pugh said. "We will have photographs of projects that we have completed. There will probably be some tools from the past to show the changes of the industry. (We'll) show them our concepts of building green, weatherization, efficiency and upgrades for the wiring and plumbing."
There also will be two drawings held during the expo.
Attendees who fill out a questionnaire aimed at planning and preparation for next year's Home Remodeling Expo will be entered to win a $500 certificate to American Glass and a $500 certificate to National Home Products for closet or garage storage systems.[[In-content Ad]]
April 7 was the official opening day for Mexican-Italian fusion restaurant Show Me Chuy after a soft launch that started March 31; marketing agency AdZen debuted; and the Almighty Sando Shop opened a brick-and-mortar space.
