March 23, 2015 at 4:15 p.m.
Hodag Home Show draws a crowd
Hodag Home Show draws a crowd
By Kayla Thomason-
"We had a really good turnout right away at the start and we're seeing a steady stream of 250 (people) plus per hour," said Dana DeMet, Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce executive director.
The show usually attracts 3,000 people over the weekend and this year 67 vendors from all over the Northwoods displayed their goods and services.
The number of vendors is up from last year and comparable to other years, DeMet said.
"It's a good, strong Northwoods show where people from the Northwoods can meet vendors from the Northwoods that can help work on their home," he said.
At least one person who had never had never attended the show was surprised by the turnout.
"We were pleasantly surprised," said Peggy Ausloos, a first-timer. "We didn't expect to see this many vendors and this many people here so we're really enjoying it."
"From the size of the crowd here I think they really appreciate (having the Home Show available to them)," said John Kiefer, another first-time attendee.
Many people who toured the home show and saw what vendors had to offer walked away with ideas swirling in their heads.
"We found some good ideas here and got some contacts to talk to," Kiefer said.
Home show veterans also found the show stimulating.
"You have a lot of options and a lot of different booths that you can go to and talk to different people to figure out what you want to do with your house," said Jennie Seidel, a fifth-time attendee who travels north from Stevens Point each year for the show and goes home with plans.
The Hodag Home Show allows guests to talk to the vendors and find out what is new and trending.
"It's kind of nice to be able to talk to people and find out what's new and innovative and that sort of thing so it's been a pleasant experience," Ausloos said.
Not only is the home show beneficial to guests, it is good exposure for the vendors.
"It's a good opportunity to see people from the community, maybe meet people that normally wouldn't meet us on a day-to-day basis," said Mike Boyd of Boyd Financial Services.
"I'd say it's been as good as any of the years ever," Boyd added. "I wish we (had) more business here. I think they would be very happy or pleasantly surprised, if they were here, (to see) the number of people they actually get to see as potential customers."
Boyd wasn't the only vendor who uses the home show to drum up business.
"Well certainly these little home shows they really get us (exposure)," said Richard Dvorak, owner of Dvorak Docks.
He has been a vendor at the home show for roughly a decade and liked how well the show was advertised.
"Being here, every year, is a must for us," Dvorak said.
David Barr, a chiropractor for Allied Health, has also been a long-time vendor of 10 or 12 years.
"It's a good experience. (We) get quite a few patients out of it," Barr said. "I do a spinal screen, I show them if they are leaning more on one side or the other and then I explain to them about the function of the spine."
Gary Sterr, a sales representative at Northland Buildings, said he has attended on and off for 15 years.
"We enjoy it, we get a lot of exposure out of the show, especially since they redid the high school," Sterr said.
People like seeing a quarter or a half of the town come through, DeMet said.
"Even if people don't find the perfect solution for their home that they are looking for it's a good opportunity for people to come together and socialize a little bit," he said.
"I just like coming here and seeing all the people," Seidel, who used to reside in Rhinelander, added.
Plans are already underway for the 2016 Hodag Home Show. Interested vendors can call the chamber at (715) 365-7464 for more information.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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