As our third Self Build show approaches, I wanted to reflect on the past two shows and my thoughts on the venue, exhibitors and facilities.
Established in June 2017, we actively searched for shows to attend and showcase our new estimation report. We stumbled across https://selfbuild.ie/ online one day and very quickly messaged to see was there still spaces left at the Dublin venue in the Citywest hotel. Maria was our saving grace and emailed me stand layouts, floor plans, prices and offers regarding the 3-day event.
We were hugely excited but also apprehensive. Our first ever show and we had a limited time frame to prepare a layout for the stand. Flyers and business cards were organised, report samples printed and merchandise ordered for our potential customers.
On the first day we set up 2.5 hours before the doors opened to the public. After fighting with several command strips, bits of sellotape and clumps of blue-tack, we finally had the stand ready. It wasn’t a masterpiece, but we were proud of it! Maria came over amid all to wish us good luck and if we needed anything to give her a shout.
A walk around the exhibition centre was essential to get our bearings once the doors opened. The exhibitor stands were very impressive. Some of the larger well-known suppliers had the most eye-catching layouts to invite and welcome customers into.
There was advice talks every few hours, one to one clinics with architects, live panel discussions and much more. Every exhibitor stand related to self-building which sounds obvious. I have seen home shows where they would have exhibitor’s selling perfume or beauty products.
Around midday, a swarm of individuals had gathered around our stand listening intently to us explain our service. While I felt nervous and self-conscious, as time passed I got more confident. Conversations flowed freely, and I started to really engage and enjoy talking to everyone. A competition for customers to win a free estimation report proved to be very popular, as did our personalised pens and notepads!
The 3 days passed in a blur and it was time to pack up and hit the motorway back to Fermanagh. Our first show complete, and we were already thinking about how we would improve ourselves in the next one. DJ Build Estimations want to take this opportunity to thank the customers that used our service in our first year of business. We hope it has been beneficial and more importantly helped you stay on budget during your Self Build project!
