CTICC turned into one-stop homemakers' delight

“The response again proves the importance of exhibitions as part of any company's marketing mix. Not many other marketing opportunities offer this kind of direct one-on-one interaction between the product and consumer in such vast numbers,” says John Leyden, director: strategic business development of Homemakers and one of the organisers of the show.

“The standard of exhibits was exceptional. I am delighted at the effort our exhibitors put into their displays. They transformed the CTICC into a one-stop home improvement and enhancement destination for the four days.

“Given the current economic climate, we feel our show performed incredibly well. Several of our clients indicated that they received better orders and potential future business than at last year's event, and homeowners' positive attitude is definitely a sign that the current recession could be ending.

Trophy winners

Best Stand

Surinno Solid Surfacing
Sony - best stand in the Audiovision Sound Emporium

Gold certificates

Beauty Fires and Prodecking, Bright Idea Projects, Cape Craft and Design Institute, Cemstone, Chestnut Grove Sawmills, City of Cape Town, Mobelli, Old Mutual, Smart Art and Surinno Solid Surfacing.

Silver Certificates

Bathroom Bizarre, Centurion Systems, Cobra Watertech, Cover Frameless Glass, Easylife Kitchens, Eisencraft, Graphic Laminates, Maison du Storm, Miracle Kitchens, Mixed Elements, Sembel-It, St James' Land, Stucco Italiano, Swartland and Telkom SA.

Bronze certificates

AC/DC Dynamics, Alplas Shutters, American Shutters, Bathroom Butler, Cane Time, Copperbottoms, Electrosys, Frivole, Genie Cape, Isotherm, Kysen Timber Projects, Oak Avenue Linen, Pavatile, Smart Build Walls, Smeg, Smiley's @ Home, Sprada SA, Star Interiors, Tools for Cooks and Yuppiechef.

Demo Area Awards

Gold - Kitchen Junxion
Silver - Orange
Bronze - Sweepro (Miracle Micro)

Charity project

MirrorArt was also a very exciting new charity project at this year's show. A variety of artists, including ceramicists, surface designers, as well as glass, mosaic and fine artists were asked to participate. “Visitors were invited to bid on their favourite piece and we raised a whopping R45 000 in aid of Habitat for Humanity South Africa - a community development organisation which builds homes for the previously disadvantaged,” explains Sandy Edwards, branch manager Homemakers Expo: Cape.

For further information, visit: www.homemakersonline.co.za