Expo hits home

While the sub-prime mortgage crisis may make some Orange County homeowners uneasy, it hasn’t stopped many from attending the 32nd annual Home Remodeling and Decorating show at the OC Expo Center this weekend.

The show, which rolls through Costa Mesa three times annually, featured an ecological theme this year, touting products aimed at energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

Show Coordinator Kathy Sloan said that the event’s attendance rate was up about 12% from last year. While she couldn’t speak for individual vendors, she said attendance rates at their shows throughout the country seemed unaffected by the fallout.

“So far, our attendance has been great,” she said. “It’s actually a little busier than usual.”

Among individual exhibitors — of which there were about 50 — accounts varied as to the economy’s affect on their business. Smaller outfits with a larger, more consistent customer base that relied on referrals for new business seemed to weather the tough times, though others were not so lucky.

Corey White of Sonrise Windows, said he had heard a lot of buzz about sales dropping in his industry, but added he was “very fortunate” to avoid a similar slump himself.

“A lot of people have seen a big change over the past three years,” he said. “About 60% of our jobs are from referrals and we have a large customer base, so we haven’t seen much of a drop.”

Gene Noonan of Noonan Construction said his small home additions business hadn’t been much affected either, citing reasons similar to White’s.

“I’ve been in shows for the last thirty years, and I haven’t seen much of an affect (on sales) yet,” he said of the economy. “I’m kind of a small company, so I don’t need all that much; most of my work is referrals, so that helps.”

Others relying heavily on trade shows and store-bought products for their sales, however, said they had felt an economical punch in the gut this year.

The worst victims? Those with unconventional and expensive products — like, for example, eco-friendly saunas powered by ultraviolet light.

“It’s affected us a lot,” Anna Chong of Skylight Sauna said. “Actually our sales are really reduced because of the real estate decline markets it’s pretty slow this year; I’d say significantly worse.”

Whatever the product, attendees will be greeted by a number of interesting and thought-provoking materials that will both beautify and streamline their home energy bill.

The event will remain open today at the OC Expo center, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at [email protected].