Hanley Wood Launches Backyard Living Expo in 2005

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 10/18/2004

When 52 percent of surveyed attendees at the 2003 Intl. Pool & Spa Expo said they were interested in backyard living products, show organizer Hanley Wood Exhibitions went to work. Two years later, the management team is ready to deliver — with the Backyard Living Expo.

The 25,000 net square foot annual tradeshow and conference will be held at the same time and in the same exhibit hall as the 250,000 net sq. ft. Intl. Pool & Spa Expo — Nov. 1–3, 2005, at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center.

Backyard Living's 100 exhibiting companies will feature many items that the 2003 pool show attendees requested, including barbecue grills, gazebos and hammocks.

The creation of this event made "perfect sense," said Rick McConnell, the shows' senior show director.

The growth of the pool, spa and backyard living industries can be attributed to increasing home investment and an aging population with more disposable income, according to Hanley Wood Marketing Manager Kim Rogers. The 65-percent growth rate in pool and spa construction over the last five years can be attributed to the popular view of the backyard as a "safe haven," Rogers added. The side-by-side shows are expected cumulatively to draw 14,000 attendees.

The annual Intl. Pool & Spa Expo (No. 102 on the Tradeshow Week 200) will next take place Dec. 1–3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center with about 650 exhibiting companies.