DeckExpo, Inc.
P.O. Box 1324
Meridian, Idaho 83680
678.344.6283 x 303

Contact: Terry Dempsey, General Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Deck, Dock, and Railing Professionals Gather in Tampa for DeckExpo

Snellville (Atlanta), Georgia - DeckExpo, the annual national trade show and convention of the deck, dock, and railing industry, has recently concluded with record-setting attendance in Tampa.

Attendance record broken

Attendees participated from 45 states, 7 Canadian provinces, and 10 foreign countries. DeckExpo General Manager Terry Dempsey said, "We are exceptionally happy that our attendance increased more than 34% from just last year. This is a strong testament to our additional attendance marketing efforts, industry interest in and acceptance of this show, and the cooperative promotional activities of our exhibitors."

"We were also gratified to see the extent to which many of our exhibitors stepped up their actual booth participation. Attendees saw innovative, striking, and cutting edge displays. Our exhibitors know that they are facing a motivated, high-quality attendee who is looking for new products and solutions to problems. Both our exhibitors and attendees came well-prepared and focused to do business."

Exhibit Hall features the best products for professional deck builders

The show itself was 5% larger than the prior year, with 159 of the leading companies in the industry displaying in 26,400 net square feet of exhibit space.

"We are very pleased that in only our third year, DeckExpo has become the clear leader serving the niche construction market for decks, docks, and railings," said Dempsey. "DeckExpo offers our exhibitors and their customers a focused, streamlined venue to conduct face-to-face business. Our people are not bombarded with a vast array of other construction products. They come to DeckExpo with very specific products in mind, and our exhibitors deliver."

Industry professionals saw the very best and latest materials and tools they need to run their businesses and to answer the ever-increasing needs of their customers. Attendees saw everything from deck boards, shade structures, gazebos, and framing systems, to tools, fasteners, software, lighting, and dock accessories. Exhibitors explained coatings, adhesives, digging equipment, and railing systems. A number of new products were released at DeckExpo and will be highlighted in upcoming issues of Professional Deck Builder Magazine.

Comprehensive Education Program attracts industry leaders

During the 3-day event, attendees and exhibitors attended a series of 23 hard-hitting comprehensive education seminars, including a 2-day intensive pre-convention seminar on deck design and inspection. One of the highlights of the program was a moving presentation by keynote speaker Peter Lemon, a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

More than 40 speakers presented topics on deck design and construction, office operations and marketing, fastener corrosion issues, industry trends and forecasts, wood technology, low voltage and solar lighting, steel support framing, outdoor kitchens, and why and how deck builders should be in the dock-building business.

Local charities benefit from donations by exhibitors

At the conclusion of the show, more than 30 exhibiting companies donated decks, railing, arbors, carpeting, and construction materials to worthy causes and charities, including Habitat for Humanity, Tampa Metropolitan Ministries, Hillsborough County Association for Retarded Citizens, and the City of Tampa Parks & Recreation Department. In many cases, these were items that may have ended up in landfills. Through the cooperation of officials from the Tampa Convention Center and DeckExpo exhibitors, these materials were given a new life and a new home.

New national trade association formed

During DeckExpo, the brand new North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA, www.nadra.org) conducted its first annual membership meeting and adopted bylaws and elected a board of directors and officers. NADRA has established an active committee structure and will soon develop a strategic plan to guide the operation and direction of the association. At the end of the show, membership stood close to 150 companies. DeckExpo is the official trade show and convention of NADRA.

DeckExpo 2006 will be held February 15-17, 2006 at the New Orleans Convention Center.

To receive more information about DeckExpo, please call 678.344.6283, ext. 303, or visit www.DeckExpo.com. Color digital photography is available. Please send requests to Terry Dempsey.