by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
This year’s Northeast Florida Builder’s Association’s All-Stars Trade Expo returned to the Morocco Shrine Auditorium and was filled with big displays, loads of information and many chances to win prizes.
“We estimate that about 1,000 people attended the Trade Expo,” said Jamie Atkins, events coordinator for NEFBA. “There were 150 vendor booths and the show was a sellout.”
In accordance with the theme of All-Stars, NEFBA provided basketball games, football games and motorcycle racing video games.
“The energy and enthusiasm at this year’s show were very obvious,” said Bill Cellar, NEFBA president and president of Providence Homes. “We were pleased to see such a good turnout, and to see the level of interaction between the builders and vendors. Not only is this a great opportunity for vendors to gain access to their potential customers, it is one of the best networking opportunities of the year for all those in the building industry.”
The event was held at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds last year but was moved back to the Morocco Shrine Auditorium this year.
“Last year, we tried a change of venue but received feedback that vendors and visitors alike preferred the Morocco Shrine Auditorium so we responded by going back there,” said Atkins. “We also scheduled a combined NEFBA, Sales and Marketing Council and Builders Care board meeting and a continuing education course on the new building code changes to attract more people.”
The event is an opportunity for exhibitors to show off their new products and for visitors to keep up with what’s new.
This year’s show also featured opportunities to win some big prizes including a 42-inch plasma television and time in the money machine.
The TV winner was William Whitaker of Coastal View Windows and Doors.
Other winners:
• A one-day fishing trip from Matrix Employee Leasing was won by Aaron Heric of Thomas May Construction.
• Four tickets to an Atlanta Braves game went to Carol Arlotta of Giles McIvor.
• Jacksonville Jaguars skybox tickets went to Mike Rizzo of Clearwater Systems.
• Those who won time in the money machine were Drew Messer of ERA Heavener Realty, Chip DeMars of Creative Touch Interiors, Joe Almendarez of Ranger American, Pete Cagle of Oceanside Bank and Leigh Gardner of Coastal Residential Corp.
The trade show included the annual High School Nail Driving 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 Expo.
“The Nail Driving Championship provides an opportunity for both the boys and girls winners from Northeast Florida high schools to compete while raising awareness of careers available in the construction trades,” said Thompson Taylor, NEFBA training director. “We are encouraged by the participation and enthusiasm of the students and this year was no exception.”
The nail driving winners:
Girls First Place: Belinda Gullion, Hilliard High School.
Girls Second Place: Kelly Scruggs, Jacksonville Job Corps Center
Boys First Place: Dustin Reimer, Middleburg H.S.
Boys Second Place: Tyrell Johnrose, Jacksonville Job Corps Center.