Showcase joins remodeling expo

Visitors to the 2011 Home Remodeling Expo will have a chance to talk to remodelers and vendors, and to visit the New Product Showcase, an initiative that’s joining the expo for the first time this year.

The expo debuted in 2000 and is presented by the Remodelors Council of the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield. This year’s expo is slated for Oct. 14–16 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex.

Shannon Lee, owner of Rock Solid Construction and co-chairman of the HBA Remodelors Council said historically, the New Product Showcase has been an annual event at HBA membership meetings. The council decided to bring the showcase to the Remodeling Expo after feedback from previous show attendees indicated high interest in new items on the market.

“We thought it was a good way to give the vendors a chance to showcase new products to the customers, which hopefully will spark interest … and help those of us who are remodelers and builders to get calls as well,” Lee said.

HBA Operations Manager Charlyce Ruth said 115 exhibitors – including 10 for the New Product Showcase – were signed up for the show as of Oct. 5. She said there is room for five to 10 more vendors, and available space will be sold up until the event begins. Booth prices are $465 for HBA members and $620 for nonmembers, Ruth said.

Interest in remodeling is increasing, said Lee, whose company conducts about 70 percent of its work in residential remodeling. Lee noted, however, that smaller jobs are becoming more prevalent.

“Maybe the cabinets are in great shape, but they just don’t like the door styles or the drawer pulls, so we’re going in and doing facelifts on a lot of things,” Lee said.[[In-content Ad]]