HBA prepares for sold-out Home Show

When I head out to the Springfield Expo Center for this year’s HBA Home Show, I’ll be prepared to deal with a large crowd. The folks at the Home Builders Association are preparing to put on a big show – booth space has been sold out, with a record 462 booths and 235 vendors.

HBA Operations Manager Charlyce Ruth (read more about her promotion and other HBA changes on page 20) says she expects attendance at the 2007 show to be up from the 18,500 visitors last year. While she said the organization always anticipates increased attendance, the recent ice storm – and cabin fever that resulted from people being stuck at home or in temporary lodging – might encourage people to get out and take in the show.

And while Ruth said she hopes never to experience another ice storm such as this one, which left thousands of people without power for several days, another factor that might draw people to the home show is damage from the storm.

“People have some really serious needs right now,” Ruth said. “They need roofers. They need electricians. They need yard repair people, and this is a great opportunity for them to meet professionals in those fields and to get some ballpark ideas, to set some appointments.”

Usually, I head out to the Home Show to look at color trends and updates that could be applied to my home, which this year will be 110 years old. I’m sure I’ll continue that tradition this year, but if the multitude of branches resting atop my bedroom is any indication, it probably won’t be a bad idea to talk to some roofers, just in case.

We’re also going to lose the great big trees that provide ample shade in the front yard. On one hand, that’s heartbreaking, because those trees are probably as old as the house, or close to it. On the other hand, I may actually get to have some thick grass – something the shade has hampered. So I might spend some extra time exploring landscaping trends. I have to admit, I’m a sucker for pretty flowers, and with the added sunlight, I’m excited that I might get to have some in my yard. I guess that possibility is my silver lining. I’ll take it. Several days of nomadic living with three kids while waiting for power to be restored at home isn’t something I’d recommend!

Being away from home, however, has brought a renewed sense of appreciation for home. Hotel living is fine, but it lacks the character that comes with old hardwood floors that, at some point, will need some serious help, or my little yellow kitchen with the decades-old, single-compartment porcelain sink. Someday, I dream of a culinary revamp, and I bet I can find plenty of ideas at the 2007 Home Show. In fact, I’m counting on it!

Maria Hoover is Features Editor at Springfield Business Journal. She can be reached at mhoover@sbj.net.[[In-content Ad]]