It’s home show time! Are you ready? We are very excited about participating in the annual Colorado Home and Garden Show for the 24th consecutive year. It kicks off this weekend at the Colorado Convention Center and we’ll be there looking for YOU! Whether you’re a seasoned home show veteran or this is new territory to you, here are some tips on how to get the most out of your home show experience:
Have a reason.
Whether you’re attending for inspiration or you have a specific project in mind, know why you are spending time at the show in the first place. With almost 700 exhibitors, there is surely something for everyone.
Make a plan.
Now that you know why you’re going, grab a floor plan and a cup of coffee and plan out your time at the show. Have an idea of which exhibitors (or which types of vendors) you want to visit and find out where they are located on the show floor. From there, you can formulate a plan of attack. Be sure to stop and say hi at the DeckTec booth #117. We’re located right across from the display by Mile High Synthetic Turf.
Go back for seconds.
No one is going to think you’re a glutton if you visit a booth twice or even three times. Make another pass and if you’re interested in a product, stop and talk with the exhibitor and set up an appointment to meet at a later date.
Take advantage of show specials.
But only if it makes sense. Many exhibitors will be offering screaming deals that are too good to pass up. By all means, whip out the checkbook if it’s something you were already planning on purchasing. Be cautious, however, of the impulse buy and spending money that you could be putting toward a bigger goal, like your new deck.
Get ideas.
One of the best things that we love about the home show each year is that it’s a great opportunity for us to showcase new products and designs to spur inspiration among homeowners. Bring a camera and snap photos of ideas you like so that when it comes time to incorporating them into your own design, you don’t have to try remembering or describing what you saw.
Find an app for that.
The most convenient tool you can bring with you to the home show is your smart phone. As vendors are doing away with bulky printed materials, you’ll want to make sure you have a few apps on your phone: a camera, a QR code reader, and a notepad app. This will make sure that you can capture the necessary information and find it easily when you get home. See some of our favorite apps for both Android and iPhone devices.
Prevent writer’s cramp.
Every time you want to say, “I’m interested in learning more,” you’ll probably need to fill out a form. Save time by pre-printing all your contact information on a sheet of labels so you can just stick & go. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number and email. We recommend the Avery address labels, available at any office supply store. Print off a couple sheets and you’re good to go! Plus, you’ll never have to dig for a pen!
Bonus tip: Have fun!
Our best piece of advice to offer to you is to enjoy your trip to the show and have fun visiting all the exhibitors. The possibilities are endless when it comes to home design, so let your imagination run wild!
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