Area Realtors and builders took over the Alltel Stadium East Club this month for what one of the organizers called the “best-ever” Realtor-Builder Trade Show.
Sponsored by the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Sales and Marketing Council and the Norheast Florida Association of Realtors, there were 98 companies putting their products on view as well as entertainment and a lavish buffet lunch.
One interested onlooker was committee member Deborah Metzig of Bailey Publishing, who said “This was the best-ever show and it’s going to be hard to meet this standard.”
She should know, as she’s next year’s co-chairwoman.
Metzig was smiling, though, as her Realty/Builder Connection newspaper booth was one of the four winners. Other companies taking a $500 donation to their favorite charity were Palencia, Centex Homes and Stephens Advertising.
“I think it’s been a great success,” said the main staff member, Portland Stuart of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. “Everything worked like we hoped it would. This is the second year we’ve been at the stadium so we knew what problems we faced. Our committee did a wonderful job.”
This year’s co-chairs were Alayna Kimball of Morgan & Partners and Amanda Dandy of Prudential Network Realty. After the show, they turned over the leadership to Metzig and Diane Moss of Watson Realty.
“We started on the show as soon as last year was over,” said Kimball, who also co-chaired the ‘04 show with Dandy. “Deborah and Diane will do a fine job.”
There were 38 sponsors, also a record, and an estimated 1,200 attended despite off-and-on rain.
Dandy and Kimball agreed that opening at 9 a.m., instead of 10, allowed better flow among the booths, which were on the second and third floors of the East Club.
“Having more booths was a challenge because we didn’t want to crowd people,” said Kimball. “It all worked out.”
It was Stuart’s fifth show and she’s seen it grow from about 60 booths and 700 people at the Osborn Center. It was moved from the convention center two years ago when it was decided to forgo the seated luncheon and instead emphasize the trade show. A buffet lunch and continuous entertainment was added.
Metzig said that a theme for next year would be developed by the February meeting.