When Glenn Wagner moved to Orillia more than a quarter century ago, the former newspaper executive started a lawn-care business.
But when he started making inquiries about a local home show where he could introduce himself to prospective customers and drum up business, “there wasn’t a home show to be had,” he recalls.
So, the entrepreneur at heart started one. Many expressed doubts about the idea, but Wagner was unfazed.
“Lo and behold, I walked into the first business, and they signed up on the spot,” said Wagner with a smile. They’ve been signing up ever since.
Once again this year, as the Simcoe Spring Home and Cottage Show celebrates its 25th anniversary, there is a waiting list of local businesses that want to participate.
“We have 82 booths and a waiting of list of 10 to 15 different companies that would love to join us,” he said. “We’ve been sold out for the last number of years.”
Wagner believes there are several reasons for the event’s popularity.
“People are doing things around their home and cottage – renovating, adding on, thinking about projects – and they want to see the new products out there and talk to the professionals and they can do all that under one roof at the show,” he said.
Patrons also love the show because they can save money. Wagner said most of the vendors offer show specials and also offer discounts after the show to people they meet at the event. “You save time and save money,” said Wagner.
It’s also a rare opportunity to talk to professionals and business owners. “It’s an opportunity to speak with people face to face,” said Wagner. “The businesses have put a lot of time and effort into their booths, into their offerings and they have the time to talk to you personally.”
To mark the 25th anniversary of the show, there will be no admission charge to the weekend event at the Barnfield Point Recreation Centre. Instead, Wagner is asking visitors to make a donation to the Building Hope initiative – an ambitious plan to build a new homeless shelter, assistive housing and affordable housing on Queen Street.
“The Building Hope initiative is near and dear to my heart,” said Wagner, who has spearheaded the effort to develop a replacement for the Lighthouse Shelter. “To me, it’s part of giving back to the community. It was important for me to show that tangibly in some way.”
Wagner hopes people will heed the call. “It would be great if people supported this initiative – it’s another great reason to come out,” he said. Those who make a donation will receive a draw ticket for thousands of dollars worth of door prizes.
This year’s three-day show at Barnfield Point will open Friday, April 13 and run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The show will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
For a list of exhibitors and more information, visit orilliahomeshow.ca
