Articles » Tips for Getting the Most from your "Home Show" Experience

Tips for Getting the Most from your “Home Show” Experience

It’s that time of year again when the weather gets a little cooler and we turn our attention to our homes.  With the holidays approaching and the anticipation of entertaining, we’re motivated to spruce up our humble abodes.

What better way to get a jump start and lots of great ideas than to attend your local home show expo?  Home Shows are a great place to find lots of local resources, see the latest innovations and actually experience live demonstrations of products and techniques all under one roof.  But before you attend one of these shows, here’s some tips to get the most out of your “Home Show” day.

1. “Before You Go” Pre-Planning
Check out local stores to see who's offering discount or free passes to the show.  Also check the Home Show schedule to see which day or days you’ll want to attend.  Special demonstrations will be offered at specific times; you’ll want to see if there is anything you’re interested and plan your day accordingly.  Make a list of the products and services you’re interested in and plan on focusing your efforts on finding these resources first.

2. Attending the Show
Check times and plan to arrive early to avoid the crowds.  Make sure to wear comfortable shoes!    You’ll be doing a lot of walking and standing most likely on concrete so you will want to make sure your feet don’t give out before you do.  Also, make sure you stay hydrated.  Drink lots of water and snack throughout the day to keep your energy up. 

3. Shopping the Expo
It’s easy to get distracted with all the eye candy at the Home Shows, so it’s best to get an overview of the expo by cruising the aisles and making note or getting business cards of the booths you’ll want to return to.  Try not to get “stuck” in any one booth until you’ve had a chance to look at everything.  Take breaks every hour or so; get something to eat and drink until you’ve had a chance to peruse the entire show.  Also check the times of any demonstrations you want to attend and plan your time around those presentations.

4. Gathering Information
Refer back to your notes and number those booths in order of importance that you want to return to.    If you’re doing a bathroom remodel and you saw some great fixtures, make that a priority over the outdoor spa booth which is further down on the list.  Doing it this way assures you’ll get the most pertinent info before you run out of time or energy.  When you go back to the booths make sure to get all the information you’ll need such as business card, product brochures, pricing, etc.