Page 62 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2018

HOME & GARDEN on display
HOME
31st Annual Home Show is set for March 24 & 25
story by Lynn Lofton
The Home Show is going Terry Welch with BBQ World was a first years by contacting builders and strong after 30 years promoter in the late 1980s. “He started members.”
and promises to deliver a Home Show but was having trouble In the early years the only promotion
a first rate 31st annual show March 24 and 25. Sponsored by the Home
Builders Association of the Mississippi Coast, the two-day event takes place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
“The Home Show is the place to discover the latest trends and ideas in the home building industry,” says the association’s Executive Officer Kelly Palermo. “It’s also a great opportunity to talk to professionals who can make your ideas come to life. There will
be vendors, including those with doors, windows, flooring, fireplaces, insulation, lumber, home décor and more.”
selling booths, so he came to the Home Builders Association of the Mississippi Coast and presented a partnership idea to the Board of Directors,” Palermo said. “Clay Easterling was the first chairperson and served in that capacity for the first seven years.”
That first year, there were only
20 booths with the Home Builders Association selling 15 of those. The next year the association took it over as the Home Builders Association Home Show. “It grew the first 10 or so years because the economy grew when gaming came in,” Palermo explained. “Clay Easterling, Fred Schwan, Wayne O’Neal, Kevin Taylor and other board members sold all of the booths the
was word of mouth. “The years I’ve been involved, the show has grown through advertising, word of mouth, repeat customers and vendors and a partnership with WLOX,” Palermo said.
Last year’s attendance was 3,500 and another large crowd is expected this year when there will be 60-75 vendors. Just a few of those vendors are Compton & Son Appliance and Outdoor Living Center, Blue Wave Pools, Inspired Closets, Torshel Storm Shelters, Mississippi Coast Supply, Beacon Power Systems, Coast Electric Power Association, and Mississippi Power.
Show
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