The Reporter (Lansdale, PA)

Home Show and Expo set for this weekend

Homeowners can meet with experts about home projects

- By Donna Rovins drovins@21st-centurymed­ia.com @MercBiz on Twitter

Preparatio­ns are underway for this year’s Pottstown Family and Home Expo, being held March 3 and March 4 at the Coventry Mall in North Coventry.

Sponsored by the NARI-BIE — Building Industries Exchange of Pottstown and vicinity — the expo gives homeowners the opportunit­y to meet with experts to talk about indoor or outdoor home projects they might have planned.

At least two companies participat­ing in the event started building out their displays at the mall Wednesday in preparatio­n for this weekend’s expo. Pipe and drape for the expo displays was set up Wednesday morning, and NARIBIE Chapter Executive Kristine Parkes said more activity is expected Thursday and Friday as the vendors complete their preparatio­ns. The event showcases area contractor­s including kitchen, bath, general remodeling, landscapin­g and more. In addition to contractor­s, this year’s expo will also feature non-profit exhibitors, including the Pottstown Historical Society and the TriCounty Active Adult Center.

The Family and Home Expo is moving out into the mall this year, which will open the event to

even more people, according to Parkes.

“We’re excited to be in the mall because we’re in the center of the mall,” she said. “Over the weekend, people walking through the mall will be walking right by the exhibitors. I’m excited about that, the board is excited about that and the vendors are looking forward to it.”

For the past two years the event was held inside the former Ross Dress for Less store at the mall. That space is no longer available.

The Family and Home Expo provides a unique opportunit­y for homeowners, according to Parkes.

“Even if they aren’t planning their project for this year — it’s a great place to get some ideas and talk to

pros in a comfortabl­e manner — without walking into a showroom and getting a hard sell,” she said.

NARI-BIE is also sponsoring a $1,000 scholarshi­p drawing during the expo. Eligible participan­ts must be high-school seniors

or currently enrolled in college, and do not need to be present when the drawing takes place. To enter, participan­ts can stop by the NARI-BIE booth during the expo.

This is the third year the expo has been held at

the mall, but the first year Parkes has worked with the Coventry Mall management to put together the event.

“The mall has been an awesome partner. They have been nothing but amazing,” Parkes said, adding that some of the mall stores have participat­ed by providing bags or coupons.

Hours for the Pottstown Family and Home Expo are Saturday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, March 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Building Industries Exchange (BIE) of Pottstown & Vicinity Inc. was organized in Oct. 1952, with 33 charter members. In 2012, the Building Industries Exchange affiliated with the National Associatio­n of the Remodeling Industry (NARI); a not-forprofit trade associatio­n.

NARI-BIE serves Montgomery, Berks and Chester counties promoting integrity within the local constructi­on industry and its allied services. In addition to the Pottstown Family and Home Expo, the organizati­on is known as a local contractor referral organizati­on. For more informatio­n visit www.nari-bie.org.

 ?? DONNA ROVINS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ?? Longacre Co. employees install the company’s display at the NARIBIE Family and Home Expo. The annual event is scheduled for March 3 and 4 at the Coventry Mall.
DONNA ROVINS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Longacre Co. employees install the company’s display at the NARIBIE Family and Home Expo. The annual event is scheduled for March 3 and 4 at the Coventry Mall.
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 ?? DONNA ROVINS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ?? Kristine Parkes, chapter executive for NARI-BIE, says she is excited about the event this year.
DONNA ROVINS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Kristine Parkes, chapter executive for NARI-BIE, says she is excited about the event this year.
 ?? DONNA ROVINS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ?? Jesus Torres from Solid Rock Landscapin­g works on the company’s display.
DONNA ROVINS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Jesus Torres from Solid Rock Landscapin­g works on the company’s display.
 ?? DONNA ROVINS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ?? Scott Meixell and Craig Horn from Longacre Co. install the company’s display.
DONNA ROVINS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Scott Meixell and Craig Horn from Longacre Co. install the company’s display.

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