Feature, V10I6

Family Reunion

Shed Builder Expo 2024 is in the books, and one phrase was used by many attendees and exhibitors to describe the event—a chance to meet face-to-face.

“It’s like a family reunion,” says Peter Miller with Miller Sheds and Making Sales Simple.

An apt description with all of the smiles, laughter, handshakes, and hugs that were exchanged on the floor of DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sept. 25-26.

“I’m looking at people, talking to people,” says Vance Wright, owner of Better Barns in Oklahoma. “We don’t get a chance to be face-to-face a lot, so this is a great opportunity.”

Every family reunion has its quibbles and glitches, but, at the end of the day, it’s all about gathering together.

And the shed family showed up in Grand Rapids.

All total, 2,192 shed industry representatives were on the trade show floor. Around 500 booth staff for 144 exhibitors met with, in person, and shared what they had to offer, with nearly 1,500 builders, dealers, and haulers.

TRADE SHOW FLOOR

While there were many face-to-face meet-ups and reunions, Shed Builder Expo builder, dealer, and hauler attendees did plenty of business with the 140 exhibitors on the floor.

“I’m looking at the marketing options, online, social media,” says Willie Downs, director of marketing and communications for Atlas Backyard Sheds in Tyler, Texas. “I’m looking at ways to improve what we do, and there are a lot of vendors here for that.”

The two days of floor activity followed a familiar pattern of packed and busy on Wednesday and slower, but more in-depth conversations on Thursday.

“We found some new things I think we’re going to try,” says Ryan Hurley, owner of Backyard Escapes with sales lots in Pocomoke City, Maryland, and Georgetown, Delaware. “It’s been a good experience.”

GIVING BACK

Another good experience attendees were offered at the Shed Builder Expo was the opportunity to donate to a worthy cause.

Stor-Mor Portable Buildings brought its Stor-Mor for St. Jude campaign to the trade show floor. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® to help finance

the hospital’s mission to improve the survival rate of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases worldwide

Shed Business Journal donated $15,000 to kick off fundraising efforts at the show, during which (including the kick-off donation) $28,211 was raised.

Because of donors and fundraising efforts like Stor-Mor for St. Jude, the hospital can ensure no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food— so they can focus on helping their child live.

You can still donate here: https://stjude.org/stormor.

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

Each morning of the Shed Builder Expo, before the trade show floor opened, attendees had 11 educational session options available to help them improve their shed businesses.

Shed Business Journal sponsored six of the sessions, which included presentations from popular industry speakers Steve Byler and Charles Hutchins.

Byler spoke on habits of healthy leaders and building a compelling vision while Hutchins shared his sought-after “10 Core Commitments for Success in the Shed Industry.” And representatives from Gehman Accounting presented helpful advice about surviving a down economy.

New this year, Shed Builder Expo organizers opened rooms for exhibitors to make presentations. Country Lane Woodworking shared “The Power of Perspective: Transforming Sales with Above and Below the Line Mindset” while IdeaRoom offered ways to “supercharge” shed businesses.

E-Impact Marketing presented information to help attendees market “when the pie is shrinking.”

Finally, representatives from Making Sales Simple conducted a full morning Shed Sales Summit for a packed house on Wednesday.

“The Shed Sales Summit was excellent,” says Downs. “I got some really good information.”

LIVESTREAMS

In years past, Shed Builder Expo attempted to include folks who couldn’t attend the show with reports and photos posted on Facebook both days.

This year, organizers went a step further by hosting Facebook Live events.

The livestreams started before the show officially kicked off with views of exhibitors setting up their booth spaces, and Day One featured a live walk around the bustling floor so those who couldn’t be there in person could see what was happening.

Besides the live tours, interviews with five shed industry insiders— ranging from builders to suppliers— took place on the show floor.

You can watch videos of each of these live presentations on the Shed Builder Expo Facebook page, and organizers are already planning livestreams to bring next year’s show to your computers and digital devices if you can’t attend.

COMING IN 2025

But to get the most out of the Shed Builder Expo, you have to be there.

In 2025, the show returns to Knoxville, Tennessee, Sept. 24-25.

Plans are in motion to improve the entire experience for attendees and exhibitors, from registration to education to the show floor.

As one attendee puts it, “You have to be here.”Besides, you don’t want to miss the next family reunion.

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