Homeowners flock to The National Home Improvement Show

Homeowners searching for new ways to add value and space to their properties flocked to the National Home Improvement Show at Earls Court last weekend (2 - 4 October 2009).  The show, in its first year, drew a phenomenal 13,016 unique visitors over the three days.

Richard Milbourn, National Home Improvement Show event director, says: "Our research identified a demand for an exhibition focused purely on home 'improvers' and the attendance figures confirm that the home improvement market is flourishing .

"Launching a show in the current economic climate was a bold move but the high visitor numbers prove we got the timing and content spot-on" Mr Milbourn says.

"The combination of more than 240 specialist exhibitors and an opportunity to get the best in home improvement, design and space saving advice from real experts including TV personalities George Clarke  ('The Real Homes Show'), Michael Holmes ('I own Britain's Best Home'), Julia Kendell ('DIY SOS' ) and Matt James (TV's City Gardener) proved a popular draw card for visitors.

Michael Holmes, Editor in Chief of Real Homes Magazine says he was staggered by the number of visitors with renovation budgets in excess of £150,000.

"The vast majority of visitors over the course of the show were serious renovators who turned up with drawings or plans and photographs and large-scale ideas. The seminars, master classes and one-on-one ask the experts sessions were running at maximum capacity to meet the demands of these highly motivated and focused visitors.

Exhibitor Chris Heath of Custom Homes UK says: "It takes a brave organisation to launch a new show during a recession, but the success of the new Home Improvement Show at Earls Court has exceeded our wildest expectation, as it has other exhibitors.  The quality of leads and number of visitors at a venue so close to the centre of London has ensured our re-booking for next year."

"The enquiries that we did get were for the refurbishment projects at the very high end of the market place which is ideal for our products," exhibitor Jason Carey from Carey and Fox commented.
 
The true barometer of a successful event, Mr Milbourn says exhibitor bookings for next year's show are already very high with close to 90 per cent of this year's exhibition already rebooked.
 
The dates for next year's show have been announced as 1 – 3 October 2010 at Earls Court.