The Capital Home Show returns to the Dulles Expo Center Sept. 24-26, with area vendors and contractors presenting fall home improvement ideas and deals.
“This year’s show has lots of new and exciting things,” said Kim Giordano of dmg world media, the show’s manager.
In addition to local exhibitors, the Capital Home Show will feature Kia Steave-Dickerson of TLC’s “Trading Spaces,” whom Giordano describes as “one of the top designers” from the show.
Dave Dettman, perhaps better known as “Dr. Gadget,” will also appear at the show, giving demonstrations of the latest kitchen and home technology.
“He’ll be bringing one of the Rad #2 GO Q motorized scooters, which goes about 15 to 20 miles per hour, to the show,” Giordano said. He will also be giving a scooter away during the weekend.
He will be demonstrating the Beyond Microwave with Scanner, which Giordano describes as being able to scan a food product’s UPC code and determine cooking time and heat so nothing gets burned.
“There are always new remodeling ideas and decorating trends,” she said. “The home show is a great place to get ideas.”
HER ADVICE for those attending the show is: “They have the opportunity to speak with the experts at the show, Friday is the best day to go to avoid crowds.”
More than 100 local contractors, developers, landscapers and other home improvement specialists will have exhibits at the Home Show.
Dale Sykes, president of Landscape Concepts of Fairfax, said the leads his company gets from the show are “substantial.”
“People will come in and ask about construction materials for patios and walkways, they’ll ask about what kind of warranties we offer,” he said.
“We’re a full-service landscaping company,” Sykes said. “Some things like fences and decks we’ll only do as part of a larger project, but typically we build retaining walls, ponds, walkways, patios” and planting of greenery in yards.
“We also specialize in masonry work, which separates us from other companies,” Sykes said.
Landscape Concepts of Fairfax has participated in the Home Show since it first started, Sykes said. “It’s a great way for people to get ideas and meet with contractors on an individual basis,” he said.
MATT MEYERS, marketing director for Ameritech Construction Corporation of Falls Church, said that the main focus of their exhibit will be sunrooms, windows, siding and decks.
“It’s amazing how many people are adding those things on to their homes down here,” he said.
Ameritech will be offering a $10,000 sweepstakes for free windows this year, Meyers said.
“It’s good for people who would be interested in replacing their windows before winter,” he said. “Plus, if the winner already had a contract with us, they’d get their money back.”
Participating in the Home Show generates job leads for at least a month.
“This is our Super Bowl,” he said. “It’s a great way to generate customers and get our name out there.
Dave Cintorino is the vice president of Spas East, a spa and pool table vendor from Vienna.
“We see this as an opportunity to focus on customers that come looking for our product,” he said. “Lots of people go to the home show looking specifically for spas.”
“It’s a very professionally run and organized event,” Cintorino said. “It’s a lot of hard work but it’s enjoyable to see the other vendors. You see the same people every year and there’s a camaraderie amongst us.”
Those attending the show who purchase a spa from Spas East at the time will receive extra freebies with their spa kit, Cintorino said. “We also offer deferred payments and give some of our best prices during the show.”