This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Now that the holidays are over, folks are starting to plan for the spring and summer and that can mean only one thing.
The trade show season is upon us.
The Salt Lake Home Show ushered in the new year Friday at the South Towne Expo Center, bringing vendors and a surprisingly large number of buyers together for the start of an event that runs through Sunday and will feature an appearance by TV star Ty Pennington at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Before winter has run its course, this event will be followed by shows featuring boats, travel, RVs, guns, sportsmen's gear, green products, home and garden activities, and fitness products. All are designed pitch goods and services to the thousands of Utahns who attend.
Consumers such as Dave Bartlett of Riverton came out Friday with nothing particular in mind but looking for home-improvement ideas for spring. He was most impressed with an indoor dry sauna, although he looked like he enjoyed the electric foot massager he tried.
Others, such as Diana Isom of Provo, knew exactly what they wanted.
"I'm going to upgrade my patio," she said. "I am looking for a fence, awning and a Tuff Shed. It's nice to have everybody together and to check out everything."
Vendors know that even after the recent holiday spending binge, many consumers love their homes and are planning on making improvements.
Baltazar Lara of Woody's Hardware Flooring said the show gives his business an opportunity to make contact with those who have saved their money for repairs.
Ernie Gentile of Idaho-based Pacific Flags said that shows such as these plus fairs in the late summer are his primary source of business. He was selling flag poles, flags and solar lights.
Vendors such as Michael Amodt of Austin, Texas, who was selling an indoor stovetop grill called the Grill'd Perfect, work a circuit. "That's what we do," he said, as he demonstrated the two-piece grill.
For Angie Hardy of Sandy the show offered a chance to show off her Safe Haven Private Vaults, which utilize a retina scanner system from security facility to allow customers to access their valuables.
Beyond the standard home-improvement products such as hot tubs, windows, gas fireplaces and doors, of particular interest to many Friday were mattresses displays.
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors, with kids 12 and under admitted free. There is a discount if you purchase your tickets online at http://www.saltlakecityhomeshow.com.
Twitter @tribtomwharton —
Home show hours
10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday.
Tickets: $10, with various discounts
More info: http://bit.ly/TnJkQI