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This year's home show proves to be a hit
Organizers and vendors involved with the Home, Sport, Farm and Garden Show said changes to this year's event made for a successful show.
Revisions in hours and days for the event, as well as more promotion, pleased both vendors and visitors. This year's show, which took place Friday and Saturday at Arnold Arena on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, was hosted by All Hit 103.9 KOMB/KMDO.
"It was successful," Fort Scott Broadcasting owner Tim McKenney said. "We had about 2,000 people through the doors in two days. The vendors were very pleased. The crowd seemed to enjoy it. I heard a lot of good comments from people."
Businesses at the expo had a chance to promote their products and services, which ranged from home decor, food, kitchen items and furniture, to hunting and fishing, farm and garden equipment, and other outdoor items. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks provided a jet ski simulator that visitors could try.
"The big thing about this home show is giving area businesses an opportunity to see so many people in one spot at one time," McKenney said. "It took less time to see more people than in the past."
Organizers worked more to promote this year's show, which he said was successful for a number of reasons.
"The show was promoted a little harder than in the past," McKenney said. "I think the change in hours helped. It was a combination of things ... plus hard work from a lot of people."
The two food vendors for this year's show both sold out near the end of the event, McKenney said. The show also included more giveaways and prizes.
Local State Farm agent Kale Nelson said it had been a few years since he had participated in the home show and was pleased with the changes that he said helped grow the event.
"The organizers did an excellent job, not only in preparing and having spaces set up for vendors, but also in communicating and looking at making changes as far as the date goes, which I think was more feasible for most people," he said. "It was a very successful couple of days."
Nelson said he was also happy to see that the show featured 69 vendors from across the region. Although the show was only held from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, it was announced at the end of the evening that about 600 people had been through.
"I was pleasantly surprised with the Friday attendance," Nelson said.
Exposure is another reason businesses take advantage of the show.
"It provides a chance for customers and non-customers to stop by and visit," Nelson said. "The whole thing was a positive experience for us."
FSCC Public Relations Director Kathleen Hinrichs ran a booth at the home show to inform visitors of upcoming events at the college. She said it is important for the college to have a presence at the home show since it's hosted on campus.
"We were so pleased with the home show this year," she said. "They (organizers) did a fantastic job of not only organizing a fine event, but really bringing the community out. It's exciting for us to see that many people out on the campus."
College officials are planning next year to conduct more of a community outreach during the home show.
"Next year, we hope to have more information about what the college provides to the community," she said.
Hinrichs praised the college's maintenance staff for their work in preparing the arena for the event.
"You have to get so many things ready for an event like that," she said. "Kudos to our maintenance staff for getting everything ready."
McKenney said he is open to hearing criticism or suggestions on how to improve next year's event even more.
"We would love to hear about what we could do better," he said.
McKenney said organizers plan to determine a better way to use the space inside and outside the arena for next year's event. The inside of the arena was sold out this year and several vendors operated their booths outside the venue.
"Next year, we want to learn how to use the space out there and find a way to use more of the outdoor space," he said.