Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 21, 1993 TAG: 9303190522
SECTION: TODAYS HOME PAGE: TH-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
THE HOME SHOW TO FEATURE 135 EXHIBITORS
Better Living Expo '93 - The Home Show promoting "Ideas That hit Home," is predicted to bring in even bigger crowds than ever. The 23rd annual show at the Salem Civic Center will be held March 26-28. It will showcase more than 135 exhibitors who will display "the latest prioducts and services," said Melody Williams, executive vice president of the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association, the show sponsor."Through our 1991 survey of patrons, we have tried to incorporate their suggestions," she said.
For instance, she said that this year are more builders represented, and there is a good balance between builders, subcontractors, products and services.
Products include flooring, appliances, doors and windows, miscellaneous building products and communication/sound system.
According to Williams, two entire parlors in the civic center are devoted to home theatre exhibits. And for the first, this show includes a joint Roanoke County-Roanoke City-Salem "Roanoke Valley Inspections Department" booth with information available on how to get a building permit.
"It's one-stop shopping,' said Williams, who added that many association members attended the national members attended the national Home Show convention, held this year in Las Vegas in February. Williams said that the national show draws about 60,000 attendees and talkes more than 16 acres of exhibit space. The Roanoke Valley exhibitors at the local show often bring the latest ideas home to include in this show.
"Each year, there's always new products and ideas that are very interesting. Last year we had some of the components of the `Smart House,' said Bob Flynn, THE HOME SHOW chairman.
"The Roanoke Valley is a very conservative area, but there is also an influx of new ideas, and are more familiar with them. We're not behind with technologies. It's just that the technologies that are expensive you'll find in larger cities. A lot of our exhibitors have products used in remodeling," he said. Flynn added that there has been a resurgence in the remodeling busines.
One way the Association has encouraged the professional quality of their show is by judging the exhibits, according to categories, and 12 awards are given.
"The reason we started judging is that our exhibitors put so much time, money and effort into their booths, and we want them to know we appreciate it. The extremes the exhibitors go to is the reason that the show has gotten better over the years," he said.
In addition, THE HOME SHOW will include two seminars. The New Home Buyers Seminar, which runs Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, both days from 2-2:30 p.m., offers new home buyers a good overall view of what tpo expect when purchasing a home. The seminar's panel is comprised of a builder, Realtor, mortgage loan officer and an attorney.
"What we have tried to do is start with the real estate professional, thinking that property will be purchased first," said Flynn. "If you are considering buying or building a new home, the attorney will address your concerns by giving a presentation on loan closings, title insurance and good contract protection."
The second seminar addresses remodeling and runs both Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, from 4-5 p.m. It will include guidance on how to select a remodeler. Both seminars will be held in Parlor B of the Salem Civic Center, and are free to home show attendeews on a first-come, first-seated basis.