Showing up

Today I went to the Waikato Home and Garden Show, which is about stuff for one’s house and garden. Surprise! I was hoping to see vendors of various things I need for projects to finish my house, and maybe to get the opportunity for “show special” prices. In the end, it was mainly just a fun day out.

I went with my cousin-in-law and a sister-in-law, and once there we met up with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and we all had lunch together before heading our separate ways again. It was fun to spend time together, as always, but I think all of us were somewhat underwhelmed by the show for whatever reason. I certainly was.

I’d hoped to be able to talk to varieties of companies, but, for example, there was one company that does ducted air conditioning (among other types), and one that’s primarily known for a heat exchanger system that uses air from the attic space to warm and dry the house. And that’s it. There were a couple that did conventional split unit heat pumps, but they didn’t appear to do ducted systems and, in any case, I’ve never heard of them.

Repeat that same thing in every other category I was interested in: Maybe one or two stands, but not ones from the several companies I was hoping for. However, there were also a couple that I would’ve talked to, but they were either busy talking to people, or else talking to each other (I saw that in several booths).

The oddest thing of all was you could scan your ticket to go into the draw for a prize, but I never actually saw a booth for the company—though it’s possible I missed it.

On the other hand, I was able to see in person the garden shed at the top of my list, and I was suitably impressed. I’m 99% certain I’m going to proceed with them, which I’ll talk about more when/if it happens.

What this all means is that while I was disappointed there weren’t more vendors I wanted to talk to, and there were more products and product categories I wanted to see, it was nevertheless useful for me. The garden sheds, and even the cooling/ventilation systems, even though those are probably only a start, and even a supplier of window screens for my sort of windows—all of those things made the show worthwhile, and I’m glad I went. Plus, as I said, it was fun to go with family, especially to bounce ideas off of.

Family members told me that the show was considerably smaller this year than it has been. I have no frame of reference, so I have no idea, but I know that it was delayed to Covid, so I’m wondering if maybe some exhibitors hedged their bets that either the event would be called off, or that fewer people would actually go.

Still, even though I was somewhat underwhelmed, and certainly didn’t get as much information or see as many supplier options as I’d hoped, I nevertheless did see some, and that mattered—even if only to eliminate them. My overall reaction is that I’d go again next year.

Another thing for me is that at least we were able to have a show like this at all, unlike so many other countries that either have lockdowns or raging surges in Covid cases. We’re so lucky to be living here in New Zealand, where we have a relatively normal life, and it makes me feel quite churlish in saying I was underwhelmed. Still, honesty, and all that.

I like going to shows like that, and have pretty much my whole adult life. Any chance I get to go to one is a good day, even if I don’t see everything everything on my list. Sometimes just having the opportunity is everything.