Home Show to go ahead
The Auckland Home Show will return this year, making it the first major post-Covidlockdown retail event in 2020.
One of the largest events in New Zealand, the 40th edition of the exhibition will take place at ASB Showgrounds from September 9-13.
Amanda Magnus, general manager of Exhibitions and Events New Zealand, said this year the show’s role will be a very important one.
“[It’s] enabling hundreds of businesses and thousands of consumers [to do business and help] rebuild the post-Covid New Zealand economy.”
The event is an important contributor to the home renovation market with more than 500 Kiwi businesses exhibiting and 40,000 visitors, generating upwards of $30 million worth of business annually.
A 2016 Economic Impact Report, conducted by ASB Showgrounds, showed that the Auckland Home Show contributes $17.5m to Auckland’s Regional GDP and brings in over 62,000 off-peak visitor nights to Auckland.
ASB Showgrounds chief executive Mark Frankham said the announcement was big news for the Auckland economy and the events sector overall.
“The . . . Home Show is one of our biggest public shows for the year, using around 27,000 square metres of space.
“It’s quite incredible the amount of exhibitors and businesses . . . involved — many doing more than a year’s business in just that one show.”
Magnus said they believe there is a high amount of pentup demand out there.
“Consumers have been stuck in their homes during lockdown coming up with ideas of . . . what they want to renovate — and with international holidays off the radar for quite some time, the industry is hoping this is where people will be spending their discretionary income over the next six to 12 months.”