ORLANDO, Fla. – Today’s challenging housing market is motivating homeowners to improve, not move. Homeowners will find everything they’re looking for and more to cross off all of the items on their “to-do” list at the Orlando Home Show. The area’s leading and largest consumer home extravaganza returns September 19-21 to Hall North B in the Orange County Convention Center’s North/South complex off Universal Boulevard. Bursting with ideas for remodeling, renovating, design and outdoor living, the Orlando Home Show offers more than 500 exhibits and seminar experts representing 50-plus home improvement-related disciplines, all under one roof.
“Our event is the area’s premier showcase for homeowners,” said Marcia Clift, show manager for Marketplace Events. “It’s the place to come and gather ideas, get inspired and have fun during a great day out.”
Orlando Home Show guests will once again find a bounty of inspiring ways to spend their day at the show. The Celebrity Design Stage will showcase two personalities with top-notch advice for guests. Stephen Saint-Onge, popular Better Homes and Gardens columnist, named one of the top fifteen designers in America by House Beautiful and a frequent guest on such programs as “Oprah” and “The View,” brings his creative tips for making design accessible to everyone. Green designer Joshua Foss of HGTV’s “Get Green” and “Design Star” will meet with guests and share his expertise at the forefront of the eco-design movement. Familiar to fans as “Organic Josh,” he’s out to prove that green can be an attractive and affordable option.
The all-new Pet Pavilion will feature numerous pet-related exhibitors and their products and services, plus adoption opportunities. The highlight will be a “Doggie Fashion Show” at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, showcasing dressed-to-impress dogs strutting their stuff on the runway. Each dog will represent a popular local radio or TV station. A panel of judges will choose the winner based on such criteria as strut, costume and overall cute quotient. The dog’s owner will receive a $1,000 gift certificate, while the station he/she represents will retain bragging rights. The winner will also earn the station a $500 donation to the charity of his/her choice.
Guests can sign up for “Speed Design,” presented by Orlando Home & Leisure magazine, where they can bring photos of their design dilemmas and talk face-to-face with five different local interior designers for five minutes each. They’ll get a broad perspective on their challenges and walk away with a variety of solutions from local experts, all at no cost. To be held on Saturday, only, at 11 a.m., 12 noon, 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Guests should arrive early to register for this first-come, first-serve opportunity.
Appearing throughout the weekend is The Wall Wizard, Brian Santos, who educates, entertains, and empowers his audiences on the latest painting techniques, one of the most cost-efficient ways to add value to the home. Santos has appeared on numerous television shows including ABC’s “Good Morning America” and NBC’s “Today Show”, and is the national best-selling author of three books.
Additional show features include the Floral Design Stage, blooming with ideas for holiday decorating. “Ultimate Florists” Paula Hunter and Len Beckett of Rockledge Roses & Wines will conduct interactive floral seminars throughout the weekend. At each of Beckett’s interactive presentations, lucky volunteers from the audience will make and take home their creations. Guests can learn the latest in flower arranging from Cheryl Wilks of Flowers on Location, popular on the home show circuit.
Also featured will be:
New and Now products to keep consumers ahead of the curve
The “Kids Zone,” a play space featuring face painting by Bella the Flower Fairy, wildlife encounters by Critter Encounters, and scientific fun provided by Mad Science of Orlando. Plus giveaways, contests and much more.
Show hours are Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, and are $9 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Seniors (60 and over) are $5 on Friday only. Guests can gain admission for only $5 after 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Advance tickets can be purchased online for a $2 discount off full-price admission at www.FloridaHomeShows.com. Convenient on-site parking is available adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center off Universal Boulevard, and is $6 per car. For more information, visit www.FloridaHomeShows.com, or call 800-645-7798, ext. 16. The Orlando Home Show and its spring sister show, the Central Florida Home & Garden Show (March 13-15, 2009) are both produced by Marketplace Events.
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