Home Show at Rhode Island Convention Center March 29 - April 1

The Rhode Island Builders Association Home Show will be held March 29 -April 1 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Admission is free to RIBA members with Guest Passes, good for any night of the show. RIBA members begin watching your mail for passes! New this year, you will receive two passes, each good for two admissions on Member Night (March 29) or for a single admission on any other day of the show. Children 15 and under will be admitted free throughout the show. And only for RIBA members: Get a special $2 parking discount at the RIBA booth on Thursday only. Excitement is high because of the Home Show's many new and popular features, especially the model home that will be the show's centerpiece, thanks to member Carol O'Donnell of CRM Modular Homes. The model home will be the showcase for everything from furniture and appliances to lighting and landscaping. Potential exhibitors: It's not too late! This is your year to exhibit at the Home Show. RIBA members receive a 5% discount on exhibit space, and there's still time to reserve it. "If you're a supplier, a general contractor or a subcontractor, this is the year to put your products and services in front of the Home Show's thousands of visitors! Whether you're in building, remodeling, redecorating, financing, landscaping, painting, furniture, energy efficiency, or any other field that provides what current and prospective homeowners need, this is your year to exhibit!" said RIBA executive director John Marcantonio. What's more, RIBA's new marketing firm, Lincoln-based Mediapeel, has been targeting the show to the public with a strong, new approach. Watch and listen for television and radio commercials, beginning in mid-March. Visit www.ribahomeshow.com, or Yoffe Exposition Services, at (800) 963-3395 for more information. The show will feature exciting prize giveaways, including appliances from the Demonstration Kitchen. Two vacations: (1) a seven-night stay at an all-inclusive RIU resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, 2-a Celebrity cruise will be awarded as well. There will be daily giveaways too! The Fine Arts Showcase that was such a hit at the 2011 Home Show will return for second year. Purchase paintings, photography, sculpture and more. There will be daily drawings for artwork from the Showcase! Also featured will be ongoing cooking demonstrations by chefs from Newport Restaurant Week and Federal Hill restaurants. There will be sampling and cooking with Absolut Vodka, Jameson Irish Whisky, Brancott Estate wine and Samuel Adams beer. And Gasbarro's will hold beer and wine tastings. There will be plenty of entertainment for visiting children, including balloon artist Lon Cerel and Bananagrams! And the popular Dog House Competition returns. High schoolers and career and technical students will build creative and unusual dog houses, then compete for several prizes, including "Best of Show." Visit www.RIBAHOMESHOW.com, or contact the show's producer, Yoffe Exposition Services, at (800) 963-3395 for more information.