Chamber, builders join forces on home show

The Builders and Remodelers Association of Eastern Connecticut and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut announced today that they will combine forces to put on a major regional home show next spring.

The organizations, which previously held separate shows, said in a statement issued today that the consolidated April 20-21 event to be held at the Mystic Marriott will be a “truly home-grown show that focuses on the very best builders and remodeling specialists with a track record of superior service.”

Emphasizing the Chamber’s “buy local” promotions, the so-called Eastern Connecticut’s Premiere Home Show will replace the BAEC Home Show, held at the Mohegan Sun last year in January, and the Southeastern Connecticut Home Show, traditionally located at the Connecticut College Athletic Center in March, said Tony Sheridan, president and chief executive of the Chamber, in a phone interview.

“What can be more local than your home builder or remodeler and other professionals you bring into your own home?” Sheridan said in a statement. “These folks build the communities in which they live and work.”

The two groups said Mystic Marriott will provide plenty of indoor exhibition space along with a giant tent for additional outdoor exhibits. Builders, remodelers, landscapers, banks, real estate firms, deck and patio suppliers, pool and spa businesses and those promoting energy-efficient products are among those expected to exhibit at the show.

“Home building technology and processes, energy code and building code requirements are changing rapidly and our trained professionals are keeping up with the curve,” said Renee Main, BAEC’s executive officer, in a statement.