Marco hosts first Home Improvement Show

By Monte Lazarus
Bengoshi@comcast.net 

About 200 interested, curious folks came to Marco Island’s first Home Improvement and Remodeling Show at the Marriott on November 5. The show was the idea of Katie O’Hara, Marketing and Sales Director of the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce, and Katie, along with the Chamber’s President, Kevin Donlan, Executive Director Sandi Riedemann, Administrative Assistant Donna Niemczyk and the ever-helpful Chamber volunteers ran a flawless program.

Business exhibitors covered the full range of home services, including everything from financing a home to building it, protecting it and providing all the necessary appliances. Surveying, electronics, banking, building, re-modeling, furnishings (including some very comfortable mattresses set up by Naples Mattress), generators demonstrated by Condee Electric, water systems, plumbing and many

others listed below. They displayed some of their products, spent productive one-on-one time with interested visitors and handed out some nice gifts. In between stops, attendees snacked and took advantage of a full bar. At the end of the show exhibitors gave away fruit baskets, gift certificates, electronic appliances and other prizes in free drawings.

Tom Wagor, of the First National Bank located at 690 Bald Eagle Drive, was delighted with the show. He said, “It is a great idea. The Chamber has a wonderful history of putting on these events. We’re excited to participate and to have the opportunity to reintroduce ourselves to the Marco Island community. We invite Marco Islanders to experience our full program of community banking.”

Nancy Carrington, who operates the Marco Island

Florist on Barfield Drive, was delighted with the setting. She commented that, “It’s really good to be part of the first of these shows. There’s lots of space, a really good crowd and something a bit different for Marco Island. We are looking ahead to more of these shows.”

Radio Shack, on North Collier Boulevard, has undergone a huge transition, with more to come. Proprietor Tom Lang is expanding into the space formerly occupied by Reflections and a liquor store. Along with increased space, Radio Shack will have panoply of products and services. Mr. Lang said, “We are a dealer-franchise, and have much more to offer than other dealers. We shall have all of the cell phones, and will also offer Apple products. Our outstanding

computer experts will be offering educational programs. This exhibition gives us the unique opportunity to show islanders what we can provide to them. It’s nice to see what other businesses have to offer.”

Another exhibitor, Alex Parker of AP Builders at 527 Bald Eagle Drive, enjoyed the opportunity to meet with some interested prospects for his building and remodeling company. He commented, “The chance to speak one-on-one in this setting is terrific. We can talk to potential customers in this atmosphere, and give them time to think over what we offer, and come back to us. This is an excellent event”.

Attendees also liked the exhibits, ambiance, chance to view products, sample the food and drink and even mingle with fellow islanders. “This is a great

show,” said Judy Gewirtz, “and yet another plus for Marco Island.”

The show was sponsored by The Naples Daily News, Marco Eagle, Sandcastle Community Management , Condee Cooling and Electric, Marco Island Marriott and Lowes.

The full list of participants was: Alpha Omega Home Inspections, Andrew Hunter Homes, AP Builders, Complete Stone Management, Condee Cooling and Electric, Conditioned Air, Creative Interior Design, Fireservice Disaster Kleanup, First Class Plumbing, First National Bank of the Gulf Coast, Glass of Marco, Good Deals Appliances, Island Kitchens & Bath, Marco Island Florist, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Kinetico Water Systems, Lee County Electric, Radio Shack, Marco Island Floor Covering, Marco Island Surveying & Mapping, Naples Daily News, Naples Mattress, Sandcastle Community Management, See Thru Windows, Storm Force Hurricane Protection, Sunshine State Hurricane Protection and local radio station 98.1.