1 week Ago By By Abiola Odutola
The Brandon Home and Leisure Show officially opened its doors Friday afternoon at the Keystone Centre, marking a new chapter under the leadership of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support.
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The Brandon Home and Leisure Show officially opened its doors Friday afternoon at the Keystone Centre, marking a new chapter under the leadership of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? The Brandon Home and Leisure Show officially opened its doors Friday afternoon at the Keystone Centre, marking a new chapter under the leadership of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. This year’s edition is particularly significant, as it is the first since the long-standing event transitioned from Display Manitoba to the stewardship of the Provincial Exhibition, president Clint Swain told the Sun at the event.
The event’s official opening ran from 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday, kicking off a weekend expected to draw “strong community interest,” he said.
The Universal Truck Accessories booth is shown during the 2022 Brandon Home and Leisure Show. This year's show officially kicked off Friday and continues throughout the weekend. (File) “We currently have between 90 and 100 vendors, spread across three rooms, and the variety of exhibitors ranges from home improvement products to recreational items like hot tubs and pools.
Most of our vendors are geared towards the home and leisure aspect of everyday life, with products ranging from backyard sheds to furniture, windows, and blinds.” Swain said attendees should expect a typical home improvement trade show. “It’s like a normal home improvement trade show, with vendors showcasing everyday life products.
” Swain acknowledged some challenges, particularly in raising awareness that the event is back under new ownership. “The one thing that is a little deterrent is when nice weather comes out, people tend to be outside, especially on the first nice weekend of the year,” he said. “Even though it’s going to be a pretty nice weekend here in the city, we hope the crowds will still come.
” For first-timers like Pineview Building, the show is a place to be at this time. Manager Jaydon Plett’s expectation for the show remained focused on sales. “We’re expecting to sell buildings.
That’s why we’re here,” he said. “We have been to bigger shows in Winnipeg and Headingley. We hope this can be bigger too.
” He said the company manages sales within a 50-kilometre radius of Brandon, including the construction of various structures such as garages, garden sheds, greenhouses and chicken coops. “These are all built in Manitoba, north of Winnipeg,” Plett said, adding that the company has been in operation for about two years, making it a newer player among the three main shed companies in the province. He added its service allows people to rent a garden shed for as low as $160 per month for storage needs.
“You could use it for a month or two to store your valuables, and then if you’re done, you call us, and we come pick it up,” he said. “It’s cheaper than renting a storage unit, and if you like the building, you can buy it, so your money isn’t just thrown away.” Westman Premier Homes spokesperson Alyssa Boles said her company brought its signature enthusiasm and family-friendly touch to the local trade show once again, continuing a tradition that has delighted visitors for years.
While this marks the company’s second appearance with their current booth setup, she said, its involvement with the show stretches back much further. “It’s always exciting. It’s fun to talk to everybody,” she said.
“Our favourite thing is we always bring the little plastic hard hats for the kids and hand them out to all the kids and see them just having a great time.” For John Penner, co-owner of Universal Truck Accessories & Universal Doors, the latest edition of the Home Show has been a refreshing experience. A veteran exhibitor at the event, Penner acknowledged the positive changes brought about as the Provincial Exhibition took over organizing duties.
Reflecting on past years, Penner recalled that last year’s show saw lower attendance numbers. However, he was quick to commend the new organizers for their proactive approach in reaching out to long-standing exhibitors like himself. “They did a good job,” Penner said.
“After we had fewer numbers last year, they came to some of us who had been here for quite a while and asked for our input.” This engagement, Penner suggested, helped shape a stronger, more collaborative event this year, signalling a renewed energy for both participants and visitors. Among the returning participants is Nick Wall, manager at Bailey Homes, a custom ready-to-move (RTM) home builder based out of Portage la Prairie.
Though his company is located more than an hour’s drive away, Wall said it’s worth the trip. “This is my third time here personally,” he said. “Bailey Homes started building RTMs in 2013, and we’ve found the Home Show to be a solid opportunity to connect with people looking for custom options outside of urban centres.
” Swain added the show used to be the premier show of the year, with half of the Keystone Centre taken up. After COVID, it became harder to find vendors, as many struggled to staff their booths. To address this, the new host has reduced vendor rates and entrance fees to bring people back.
“We know it’s not going to be a quick fix; it’ll take a couple of years to build momentum again,” he said. » [email protected] » X: @AbiolaOdutola Advertisement Advertisement.
