Is a big Home Show worth the price for advertising and selling?

Question

We own a small furniture company where we make custom wood furniture and children's furniture and have just started and need to get our name out there, sell, advertise more, etc. Is a big Home Show worth it, like a Decorating and Remodeling Home Show for our State? It's VERY expensive for our budget and we'd have to take out a big business loan for a small business.
Is this something worth getting into debt for and what are the possible/potential returns from selling at a four day Home & Garden Show?

Answer 1

I go into trade shows for my business. I find that the payback comes from "word of mouth" after establishing customers as a result of exhibiting. They are very expensive though, and you must be selective as to which ones you go into. What I usually do myself - is attend the show one year, and go around and ask the exhibitors what they think of it. If the responses are favorable, then I will exhibit in it the following year.
You have a 'in demand' product for the right market. Good custom wood furniture - and childrens furniture is hard to come by. People love to have furniture such as this, that they can say was custom made, or made especially for them. But the question is, does this show draw the appropriate 'income bracket' that can afford your product. If so - then I would do it. I find that getting my product out and in the face of the public works greater than print advertising.
Good Luck - God Bless

Answer 2

I owned a small siding and window company about 15 years
ago. I set up a home show for my company and the three day show
netted me over 500 leads and I sold approx. 150 of those
in a 2 a month period. By the end of the year I had sold an additional 50 jobs. There is always risk but talking to other vendors it really is the only way to go. good luck

Answer 3

World Market Center - Las Vegas Furniture Show World Market CenterSM is a new showcase for home furnishings and hospitality contract furnishings: http://www.furninfo.com/absolutenm/templates/manufacturers.asp?articleid=4866&zoneid=9