As a deck builder in Minnesota most would assume that we are not very busy at this time of year. However this is the time of year that we prepare for the months of the year people remember that we are alive. This winter has been exceptionally busy for us at Outdoor Spaces. We are still moving along with the typical winter work of preparing and designing booths for spring home shows, working with product manufacturers to review products as well as what will be available for 2011’s new product offerings. We are also working with our local suppliers on pricing for this year. In addition to the office and inside work we also continued to produce deck and porch projects throughout the fall and winter this year and are still going.
We are now in mid February with Spring on the horizon and the bigger home shows in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area are just getting ready to go, here is where we will be: The St. Paul Home and Patio show at the St. Paul River Centre February 17th-20th and The Minneapolis Home and Garden Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center March 2nd-6th. We will be displaying a new 20’x20′ booth at both shows with the industries newest and best products available. To further prove that point we have had two of the products that we will be displaying selected by Jean Michel Gauvreau (designer and celebrity host) to be featured on “Innovation Avenue” at the Minneapolis Home and Garden Show. Innovation Avenue is a collection of new and innovative products featured on the main aisle of the show as well as featured and demonstrated on stage . The products that he has selected are the Diamond Pier footing (www.diamondpier.com) as well as The Evolve Aluminum Insert Panel rail system (www.evolverail.com). We are very excited about this opportunity.
As I mentioned this has been a busy year.
Outdoor Spaces has also been recognized by some product manufacturers as an elite contractor and resource for their product growth and development. I have been invited back to Timbertech’s Premier Contractor Council Meeting in March for the second year in a row. This time in San Antonio TX (Thanks Timbertech) This is a absolute honor to again be selected as one of twelve contractors from North America to meet with Timbertech’s upper management as well as their product development and marketing teams. If you are unsure what happens at such an event see my earlier blog “Report From Timbertech’s Premier Contractor Council Meeting”. We were also asked to join Diamond Piers Advisory Council this year. We gladly accepted since it is our focus to be the industry leader in new products as well as educate ourselves in all types building products and practices. As I just mentioned that it is our focus not just to be a deck contractor but to be the best, most educated, creative, and honest contractor you can work with, we have also joined NADRA. NADRA is the “North American Deck And Railing Association” and although it is a national organization we have formed a Minnesota chapter that will meet bi-monthly to discuss all items related to our industry . It is a local group of suppliers, manufacturers, code officials, and contractors who collectively are working together to bring the deck industry to a new level of education and professionalism. Check back for more info on what NADRA is doing in your community.
Last. And wish us luck here. I was contacted by HGTV recently and am being considered as a possible consultant for an upcoming show that they will be doing on decks. This one may be a long shot but I am still honored that they contacted me and am at least being considered. What that does for me is proves that all the time and energy that I put into my choice of career is not going unrecognized.
Like I said it has been a busy winter!
Outdoor Spaces 