by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
This year’s Northeast Florida Builder’s Association’s Trade Show had a few less booths, but just the same number of attendees.
It was held at the Exhibition Hall at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds where approximately 100 exhibitors had more room to show off their product and attendees had more room to move around.
“We had the same attendance [as last year] just a larger venue which may have made a difference,” said Portland Stuart, of NEFBA’s Sales and Marketing Council. “Last year we sold 150 booths, but this year just a few shy. The change of venue may have been the difference.”
Why change the location?
“We thought it would be a more centralized location,” said Jamie Atkins, event coordinator for NEFBA. “It was more of an open space and easier for attendees to walk around.”
The event has been held at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium in past years, but NEFBA decided to move to a more central location this year.
The event is an opportunity for exhibitors to show off their new products and for visitors to keep up with what’s new.
Over the years this free event’s dinner has ranged from pans of lasagna and salad, Italian buffet dinner and catered buffets, but this year, they opted to serve hotdogs and chips allowing attendees to grab a quick bite before returning to the booths.
“Last year we did the hot dogs for the first time,” said Stuart. “It was well received so we continued it.”
The trade show hosted the annual High School Nail Driving Contest championship. Sponsored by the NEFBA Apprenticeship Department, the competition includes students from area high schools who have competed for the right to advance to the championship in contests prior to the Trade Show.
The competition has several goals, according to Laura Laseman, NEFBA training director.
“The competition is a lot of fun — and that in itself is a good reason to promote it,” Laseman said. “And, we see it as a morale booster for high school construction technology students and the faculty.”
The 2006 Nail Driving Championship winners were:
Girls First Place: Rachael Reed, Middleburg High School
Girls Second Place: Rachele Huot, Orange Park High School
Boys First Place: Travis Smith, Sandalwood (2nd year in a row!)
Boys Second Place: Justin Tran, Baker County High School
Apprentice First Place: Vernette Murray, II, employed by C. W. Wood Plumbing Co.
Apprentice Second Place: Nicholas Gaskins, employed by Haskell Co.