Suburban Indy Shows Returns With Fall, Holiday & Spring Shows
Writer: Suzanne Huntzinger
Photography Provided
Not all home shows are created equal. Donell Walton, Owner of Suburban Indy Shows is making sure show guests and exhibitors see the difference.
Walton has been doing home shows for 17 years, and she’s seen what works and what doesn’t. Walton has set out to create a group of shows that proves she’s listened to the comments of show visitors and exhibitors.
“I wanted to design shows that I would want to go to,” she says.
Choosing an ideal venue is a major factor in creating a show where people want to attend, and vendors want to exhibit. Located right in the heart of rapidly expanding Westfield and conveniently accessible, amidst a sports destination of soccer fields, baseball diamonds and more, the brand new Grand Park Event Center in Westfield is that ideal location for these targeted shows.
“I get a lot of comments from visitors and exhibitors thanking me for bringing this show to this side of town,” Walton says.
The four Suburban Indy Shows include the Fall Home and Outdoor Living Show, the Holiday Show, the Spring Show and the Women’s Show. The Event Center’s many amazing features made it an obvious choice. A brand-new event venue finished in 2016, the center boasts modern facilities including a full cafeteria and restaurant and bar on the second story overlooking the show floor.
“You can eat, drink and be merry. What can be better than that?” Walton says.
Convenient access for north-siders just off State Road 32 and having plenty of free parking and shuttles from the outer lots right to the doors of the Center are big added bonuses. Even more important is what you’ll find inside the shows.
At the Fall Home and Outdoor Living Show, September 20-23, you’ll find more than 200 exhibitors.
“At other shows, there are wall-to-wall exhibitors and you just can’t possibly see them all,” Walton says. “Visitors want a small show. Quality is more important than quantity. We have good quality exhibitors.”
Scoring good quality exhibitors for the Fall Home and Outdoor Living Show is a little easier because of the show’s short run.
“Getting exhibitors to commit to just four days instead of nine or 10 is much easier,” Walton says. “It’s hard for owners to take that much time off work, but they can for just a few days.”
At the Fall Home and Outdoor Living Show, you’ll see companies that offer anything to do with improving your outdoor and indoor living spaces, like exhibitors who offer painting services, cabinet makers, window and door companies, home automation (security systems) companies and more. Outdoor living exhibits are a popular attraction, and you’ll see these days it’s become more than just for the summer months.
“You’ll see all kinds of displays that show you how you can extend your outdoor living season by adding things like fire features,” Walton says.
Providing an opportunity for potential customers to meet face to face with contractors to be able to make decisions is what the home show is all about.
“Visitors like meeting face to face with a representative of the company who oftentimes is the owner,” Walton says. “It builds trust in the product, the pricing and customer service.”
Visitors are also going to love some other features at the Home and Outdoor Living Show.
“We created a Neighborhood Marketplace area with 30 smaller spaces for vendors and artisans to feature their handmade products and goods,” Walton says. “It’s all in one convenient area for the visitors, and the booth space is a lower price for exhibitors in this section. It’s a win-win.”
A stage area will be set up in a central location where visitors can come and watch an educational presentation or demonstration and even see appearances by local radio and TV personalities. You’ll find plenty to do and see at the show no matter which day you choose to attend. But if you plan to do the outing as a family, you may want to plan for Sunday, September 23.
“Sunday is Kids’ Day. It’s our biggest and most popular day,” Walton says. “We’ll have princesses, superheroes and other fun stuff for the kids.”
If you can’t make it to the Fall Show, you’ve got three others to choose from. The Holiday Show, November 15-18, features all kinds of gift ideas. Shop the clothing and jewelry vendors, toys, food and wine gifts and even get décor and entertainment ideas. Kids won’t want to miss the entertainment with appearances by princesses, magicians and even Santa.
The Spring Home and Outdoor Living Show is February 8-10, 2019. If you missed the Fall Show, this is your perfect opportunity to visit Home and Outdoor Living exhibitors and get inspired just in time for Spring growing season to heat up. Ladies, you won’t want to miss the Women’s Show, March 22-24, 2019. This first-ever ladies event is much more than a girls’ night out. The show features everything you want to feel pampered. There’s plenty of shopping, food and wine, entertainment, fitness, lifestyle, spa treatments and more.
For more details on all the shows, visit suburbanindyshows.com. You can get tickets online and read all about the exhibitors.