AUSTRALIA's first regional Home and Garden Show to be held in Bowral, is bigger than the organisers expected and is continuing to grow.
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Event organiser Elizabeth Newham Nichols from Campaign Marketing said she set her original stallholder target at 60 exhibitors.
Currently there are 130 and bookings are still coming in.
"That's the beauty of being at Bong Bong (Race Course) - we can just keep expanding," Ms Nichols said.
"We have a policy of only accepting two exhibitors in a category to ensure variety at the show, and at the beginning we were knocking back potential bookings because their categories were already full.
"We wondered if we were doing the right thing."
While interest in the concept was better than Ms Nichols expected from local businesses, at least half of the exhibitors are coming from outside the region.
"I wasn't thinking about the flow-on effects at the start, but of course all those exhibitors need accommodation, and will spend at local business, so the events is bringing a lot of benefits to the Highlands."
The event fits neatly into Inland Tourism's plan for the Highlands to further the leverage the garden experience to differentiate and market itself as a tourist destination.
The Home and Garden Show is much more than pretty flowers though.
Entertainment and education are the two aims of the show, and Ms Nichols said for an entry price of $10 (all demonstrations and presentations are free once inside), you could leave having learnt cooking techniques from Geoff Jansz, how to create an energy efficient home, the benefits of keeping chooks, garden design tips from Michael Bligh, the best way to use power tools and renovation tips from 2013 House Rules runner-up Michelle and Steve Ball.
"The regional location of the show has been another reason it has been so popular.
"People are sick of the Sydney prices and hassles, and our BYO sites mean that the show is accessible for smaller artisans," Ms Nichols said.
"I've been surprised at the variety of exhibitors: finance, insurance, furniture, fireplaces, cushions - basically everything to do with improving your home, as well as many specialised garden exhibitors."
Ms Nichols said the event had far exceeded what she thought she would achieve for its first year and it was currently standing at what she would expect for an event in its third year.
"I've been really pleased with the reaction to the concept and the support of everyone involved."
The Home and Garden Show is on at Bong Bong Racecourse on September 6 and 7.
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