Whether you’re heading down to Florida to take the family to Disney World, or making the drive to Bloomington to take on the Mall of America, it’s important to arrive with a plan. Otherwise, you’ll be making a mad dash to try and hit up all the rides and stores available. Which, can end in a bit of a hollow experience if you end up missing some of the must-see stops.
The same can be said for the Home and Garden Show, which takes place from February 26th – March 1st this year at the Minneapolis Convention Center. If you’re planning on attending, then it’s important to know that there will be A LOT of exhibitors present who all have a lot to offer.
There will also be speakers, contests and promotions, a main stage, the Deck Wars, and more. In other words, just as if you were visiting Disney World or MoA, you need to come in with a plan ahead of time. Otherwise, everything might be quite overwhelming, which can lead to you missing the events, brands, and speakers who are most relevant to you.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this guide, we’ll be breaking down how to get the most out of your Home and Garden Show visit—whether you’re just stopping by for one day or all five.
First up, identify what it is you’re hoping to find.
Table of Contents
Identifying Your Mission and Goals for the Show
There is such a large number of exhibitors who will be at the Home and Garden Show (just look at this extensive list right here).
Because of this, it can be much more difficult to wade through them all once you get there and find what you’re looking for. BUT, before any of that, you need to figure out what you’re looking for.
If you’re attending this event, then you must be looking for some home improvement ideas and inspiration, as well as potential remodeling, construction, or design partner to help accomplish your home goals.
So, identify what it is you want to come out of the show with. Are you looking for garden ideas so that you can finally get to constructing that personal garden you’ve been dreaming about for years? Are you looking to upgrade your bath or perhaps add a new media system to your home? Maybe you’re looking for a full kitchen remodel and so finding the perfect kitchen cabinet supplier is high on your list.
Whatever the reason(s), write it out so that you can develop a plan for finding which events or vendors you need to meet with during your time there.
Choose Which Exhibitors Most Closely Match With What You’re Looking For
The list of exhibitors is a great place to start when it comes to pinpointing who it is you want to meet with and how to meet with them most efficiently. In other words, prioritizing your time to make sure you cross off every item on your list.
For example, let’s say you want to check out the kitchen and bath exhibitors, alongside the heating, air condition, ventilation group, and lighting (indoor and outdoor) exhibits as well.
If you were going for three days, you could dedicate each day to each category, giving yourself ample time to speak with the brands and companies you wish to.
But, what if you only wanted to go for two days? You could then pick which of those three categories is most important to you and dedicate a full day to finding the right partner or vendor, and then split the next day in half with the other two categories.
Obviously, this is just an example, and what you’re looking for will vary greatly. But, you get the idea of prioritizing where you go based on how much time you have and what your most important needs are for your home.
So, when it comes to looking through the exhibitor list, make sure to check out the websites of the companies that will be there and see which styles they specialize in and whether or not it’s what you’re looking for.
Come Prepared With Questions and Take Notes
You’ll be meeting with a lot of different folks while at the Home and Garden Show. For this reason, it’s not only important that you come prepared with lots of good questions, but that you also bring a notebook along to jot down your thoughts or the answers to your questions.
For example, ask questions about their cost of services, products, current availability, and how long their projects typically take. These are just a few great questions to ask that can help you make an informed decision.
Arrive Early and Be Flexible With Your Schedule
Just as you may come across a lengthy line at a ride at Disney World and go to some less popular attractions as you wait for the line to die down, you may have to do the same at the Home and Garden show.
This event can get pretty crowded at times—especially during peak late morning and afternoon hours. Do yourself a favor and brew a fresh thermos of coffee to bring with on the days you’re heading to the show. Don’t forget to try and get there early!
By getting their early, you can make sure that you get to see your “must-see” exhibitors before the crowds start to pile in.
However, even by getting there early in the morning, you still may run into some roadblocks along the way. If you do run into some exhibitors that have a bit of line or all their ambassadors are in deep conversations with other event-goers, then simply move on to the next company on your list and circle back in a bit. It’ll save you time because you’ll avoid waiting in line, and it will help ensure you see everyone you want to.
One last tip, make sure to thoroughly look through the Home and Garden show website, so you don’t miss a thing!
Hopefully, you’ve found this guide helpful! And don’t forget to stop by our booth if you’re looking for help with turning your kitchen into the space of your dreams. We’re looking forward to seeing you and telling you all about our sustainable, clean Scandivnain kitchen design and cabinet services!
