Emerald Coast Home and Boat Show
Source: Paradise Promotions of the Emerald Coast
Just as it did 20 years ago, this year’s annual Emerald Coast Home and Boat Show presents the latest in home and construction innovations that enhance life along the Emerald Coast, but with so much more to turn this into a family event.
“It’s a business expo—home show, boat show, car show,” said Wes Fell, president of Paradise Promotions of the Emerald Coast, which produces the Emerald Coast Home and Boat Show.
“We do this after Labor Day because this is a local event,” Fell added. “I have people now coming to the Emerald Coast Home and Boat Show who were children, coming with their parents 20 years ago. They are now bringing their children with them.”
To further this as a family event, this year’s expo features a children’s play area, sponsored by Fun4All Inflatables.
While the Emerald Coast Home and Boat Show brings together businesses and professionals under the single roof of the Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fell sees this as an opportunity to give back to the community.
“This is a fundraiser for Children in Crisis, the Fort Walton Beach Kiwanis Club, Special Olympics Florida and Homes for Heroes,” Fell said. “With the help from my media sponsors and other sponsors, I am guaranteeing each of them a $2,500 donation each.”
Ticket sales provide the donations, at a cost of $5 per person, but children 12 and younger are free.
The Emerald Coast Home and Boat Show promotes more than 100 vendor booths, with businesses and professionals often offering discounted home show specials. Health care vendors offer free health analysis and advice, while retail vendors and home-based business vendors showcase their products.
This event also provides the only boat show and sale in the area, with more than 40 boats on display, sponsored by Marine Max and Bluewater Bay Yachts.
Lee Nissan plays a large part in the car show, which highlights special deals on Titan Trucks and all Nissan vehicles.
The Beauty Experts will be at the expo, with stylists offering free haircuts for donations to support the four Non-Profit organizations.
Other primary sponsors include Ecoview Windows, Defined Interiors, Kings Furniture and Mattress, Wilserv, Advanced Concrete and Wright Parkway Dental.
Nonprofit groups will be present, with information from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department, the Florida Department of Agriculture, Early Leaning Coalition and Jobs4U.
Several vendors, sponsors and promoters provide giveaway items, door prizes and raffle items for a total value of $20,000.
The One Blood Big Red Bus will be in the parking lot; the location is perfect for making a blood bank donation.
Adding to the sponsorship are media outlets such as the Northwest Florida Daily News, K2 Media, WJHG TV and 1260 Talk Radio.
Booths are still available for business owners and professionals who may wish to be part of the Emerald Coast Home and Boat Show.
The Emerald Coast Home and Boat Show takes place at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, visit www.emeraldcoasthomeshow.com.
