WOW Renee that's quite an accomplishment.  Two room displays, I'm very impressed and not at all surprised that you won the most beautiful award. 

Did you get lots of good leads?  Will you do it again?  I've done a couple of business expo's but nothing even close to this size of a project.  Hope your was great for business!  Congrats!

Hi Ginger:

Thanks.  I was a little leary doing an exhibit of that magnitude...the cost was much even though we were "given" that enormous space.   They wanted a draw for the show since before and afters are so popular and two folks from HGTV were speakers:  Paul James "Gardening by the Yard" and Harry Rinker "Collector Inspector".   It was an excellent source of leads and contacts.  Vendors and Realtors were pouring into our booth ...but really only time will tell if the leads turn into jobs.

Renee I can imaging that it did cost you a bundle, but I bet that it will pay off.  How many people did you have manning the booth(s)?  That's a lot of space to cover AND two HGTV people were there....just imagine the possibilities and I bet you have. (-:

Ginger:

A total of five of us at various times.  The show hours were:  Fri:  2-7  Sat:  10-7 and today 11-5...Our mover came early and it only took us about 1 1/2 hours to break down..took us two days to paint, buy remnant carpet and lay ourselves, decorate...exhausting!

To find inspiration in "before" rooms, I just search my client records... there's plenty of "no-no's" to choose from!

You did an amazing job showing proper staging techniques!  Kudos!!! 

Kristina:

That is so true and after looking at not just my client records but MLS photos, I tried to choose some of the worst offences.  But, it was still hard shopping for those "tacky" items...still have to laugh how embarrassed I felt.

WOW what an undertaking, how long did this take to put together? What a great idea and I hope it brought a ton of leads. You certainly deserved the prize

Phyllis Pafumi

I agree with Phllis, that was quite a project.  But you should reap the rewards 10 fold!  I bet it was exhausting!

Thanks Phyllis:

I had done a sketch of how I wanted the space separated about three weeks before the show. because the show management had contracted a carpenter/drywall company to donate the walls. 

Purchased the "remnant" rugs when we got to Savannah as well as paint and accessories for the before and after.   The main exhibit with our before and after photos and running photo montage (which is not visible)  Is the exhibit we had already used in the Myrtle Beach Home show, so that was easy to put together...but it was the first time we had a table and chairs added hoping to create a welcoming feel.

Honestly the paint colors and accent colors for both before and after were chosen in Savannah when we arrived.  While I had an "idea" how I thought furnishings should be placed it honestly was done when it was delivered! 

If I can get a double booth this year at our County Fair - I was considering a before and after. Looking at your photos - I don't think I will have enough footage. Last fall I did our fair with a dining room and before and after photos playing on the monitor. Crowds gathered deciding what they would do in the before room and critiquing my afters. It was funny!!

Renee, I can see why you were the hit of the show.  Everyone loves Before and Afters and yours are pretty spectacular.  Hope you get a lot of leads from all your hard work.  Betty

Kathleen:  Critiquing your afters...I have to say on our exhibit, I have a before and after where the before is very late 70's  pink, blue, dried flowers...We  had a few folks at this show and the one we previously did in Myrtle Beach say they liked the before better... those folks were all at least 65 and over...it was funny.

But, also funny, was a gentleman that came up and pointed to the same photo and said "Why that looks just like my grandmoms house"   So, I guess the lesson is:  If you are targeting the 65 and over market keep the pink, blue and dried flowers...

 Betty:  I agree the before and afters are always fun.  It was fun to see folks go back and forth to the Before and After room too.

Renee ~ This was a great show and we had a blast!  As usual, your amazing work ethic and creativity paid off.  I am honored to be part of your team.

Renee,  Thanks for sharing this info.  We are doing our first exhibit in Toronto for over 23,000 realtors (Realtor Quest 2008) and your blog has been very inspirational.  Thx,

Darren Brand

Designedtosell.ca

Great for you Renee!!  Yes, I am looking forward to the return to you for your massive effort!  WOW!  I was laughing as I read the comments...yesterday I was picking up some greenery at my local craft store..and was behind an older man who was purchasing tiny silk flowers...in powder blue, light pink and yellow!!  Very typical of that age group!  However, there are exceptions and plenty of older folk out there who are 'hip' to the updated looks!  Great Job!! Congratulations on your award as well!!  Regards-Kathleen G

Renee ~ Great job!  Did you wear dark glasses when you were purchasing the before items?  ; )

Do you get much business response from these shows?

Renee ~ sounds like it was a big success!  Keep us posted as to how your business grows from this :)

Renee, great job!  I have wondered if something of this caliber at a home show would pay off -- keep us posted but it looks great!  

Funny - I too had a portfolio that some of my mom's friends were looking at and the foyer "before" was floral wallpaper, oak and glass table with brass lamp, mauve silk flowers -- my after was no wallpaper, warm paint, updated table, wall art and accessories -- my mom's friend commented on the before photo "Oh, that looks GREAT!"  I was embarrased to tell her that was the before -- oh well, most people like the after.   Good post - thanks for sharing.   Sheri

Renee- VERY nicely done! You should have HUGE results from this. I would have had a blast buying tacky items. In fact, I'm sure I would have found everything at Goodwill! My honey's son works there, and I like to buy dishes, glassware, and coffee table books there. But, my daughter and I make a game of it, to see who can find the tackiest thing in the whole store!

CONGRATS on a beautiful presentation!!!!

I am utterly amazed!  You did a fantabulous job!  I can't imagine all you went through but WOW, what an after and an experience.  Can't wait to hear about he job leads.  Thanks for the great post!

Renee,

I am so impressed with both your presentation and your remarkable business acumen for putting it all together and making it work!

I had to laugh when you pointed out that, while out shopping, you hid some of the 'ugly' items for fear that others might think that was your 'taste'!

Congrats on a job so well done!  You are a credit to our industry.

VAL

Renee,

Awe inspiring to say the least. From the creative way to state the case for redesign/staging to how you carried it through completion is really a testament to your business ethics and tenacity. Great job.

Tarenia 

Darren:  Good luck on your show.  As I sorta mentioned, I use to sell portable and modular exhibits.  If you need any tips...feel free to e-mail me personally.  I would be happy to help!

Everyone...thank you so much for your kind feedback.  

Elaine...my goodwill is already pretty bad...but I can see how it would be fun to outdo each other with tacky.

What a great idea to show the rooms before and after instead of just photos of the rooms!  It is a wonderful way to really showcase your talent!  Thanks for sharing.

Wow, what an undertaking.  Good work.  I enjoyed this post.

Renee - that is a ton of work -- and it shows! Congratulations! Beautiful Display!