Just because an economic slowdown has taken place doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the fun of building a home or redecorating the one you already have.
Visitors will be able to explore opportunities like these during the 87th Annual Indianapolis Home Show, which will be held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds from Jan. 30 to Sunday Feb. 8.
Brent Keller, group manager for the Indianapolis Home Show, said organizers are putting the finishing touches on an event that will feature over 800 exhibitors and 1,000 booths designed to engage over 100,000 expected visitors.
“This is the oldest surviving home show in the country and the largest in the Midwest,” Keller said. “The goal is to match visitors and exhibitors in a fun atmosphere where they can explore options related to home improvement, decorating and remodeling.”
Customers will have the opportunity to see and experience the latest home and garden trends and innovations, listen to celebrity designers, watch creative demonstrations and try or buy new products.
This year’s home show will also feature several new exhibits, including the Green Zone, which features environmentally friendly products; the Exquisite Gardens Galore display; the Wine Village; and the Centerpiece Home, a fully constructed 2-level 3,300 square foot model home built and decorated by C.P. Morgan.
Ty Pennington, host of the popular show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” is the spokesman for this year’s event, and many of his design tips will be featured at the show.
Participants will also be able to participate in a contest that will allow the winner to meet Pennington and have VIP seating at his stage appearance at the Denver Home Show in March, with hotel accommodations paid.
Several special guest celebrities will be on hand, including Kate of the TLC cable show “Jon & Kate Plus 8”; Summer Baltzer, star of HGTV’s “Design on a Dime;” Sara Snow, Indianapolis author and environmentalist; Dick “Dr. Dirt” Crum, Indianapolis’ “master of gardening” and Jeanette “Black Widow” Lee, international pool celebrity.
The current economic recession has been difficult for both homeowners and home product suppliers, but Keller is still expecting decent attendance at the show and believes the weather might actually have a greater impact on turnout than the economy.
“Several of our exhibitors and suppliers will be offering specials for our visitors,” said Keller. “Also, the show will provide a nice opportunity for people to reinvest in their house, one of the most important financial assets that they have.”
The Indianapolis Home Show is currently offered by Marketplace Events, a company that produces 38 home and garden shows across the U.S. and Canada each year.
“Our goal is to continue to offer first rate, vibrant marketplaces where buyers and sellers within the home improvement industry come together to do business,” said Tom Baugh, CEO of Marketplace Events.
Keller said all homeowners should find something they can learn from and enjoy at this year’s home show.
“It’s an awesome one-stop-shop where visitors can get all the important information they need,” said Keller. “They can speak with four of five different companies in the same afternoon, see what’s available and make an informed decision.”
