| Log Home
Shows
by Al Hearn, Log Home
Advisor
 Log
home shows are held regularly in larger cities
around the country. Log home dreamers find a kind
of nirvana at these shows with all the beautiful
booths, log home displays, and brochures. Even
if you live far away from one of the show cities,
it could be well worth the time and cost to attend.
Most shows are open for three days on a weekend.
Sponsors
Sponsors of the major log home shows that are
conducted around the country each year are log
home magazines, such as Log
Home Living and Log
Homes Illustrated, and a few independent show
production companies. Each company publishes a
schedule of their upcoming events (see 2006 schedule
below).
Attendance
Fees
There is usually a charge for attending a log
home show, typically about $10-$12 per person.
Vendors
Vendors of all types attend log home shows, including
the following:
- Log home magazines
- Log home book sellers
- Log home manufacturers
- Log home builders and contractors
- Log home roofing companies
- Tool companies
- Log home maintenance companies
- Log home mortgage companies
- Log home furniture and furnishings companies
 Visit
Log Home Companies
If you haven't chosen a log home company yet,
plan to attend a show or two and spend time visiting
the companies there. Pick up their brochures,
buy plan books, and ask a lot of questions. You'll
hear about their company philosophy, building
techniques, package plans, log styles, wood types
they use, and, of course, why their company is
better than the other companies.
We mentioned buying plan books because most log
home companies spend a lot of money producing
and printing incredibly beautiful books of floor
plans and detailed information about their homes
— and they must sell the books to recover
some of the considerable cost. Besides, they want
only serious potential buyers to have them. The
cost can range from about $5 to as much as $25.
You may also meet the dealer representative that
you would be working with in your area should
you choose that log home company. Even though
most log home companies do business nationally
(some, internationally), their show booths are
often manned by local representatives.
 Shows
are a great way to compare log styles (profiles),
building methods and technology, and floor plans
from different companies.
It's also a good way to meet contractors and
builders.
Seminars
and Workshops
In addition to exhibits, free educational seminars
are offered on subjects that cover planning, financing,
selecting a contractor, landscaping, maintenance,
and more. These seminars are given by speaker
experts in the industry. Most speakers are willing
to answer questions and offer specific advice.
 Just
Do It
So, find the time to attend a show in your area.
You'll be glad you did. You'll have a great time.
Plan to spend the day, wear your best walking
shoes, and get your arms in shape to carry those
big bags of brochures and handouts.
Take a camera to record log styles and a notebook
to help you remember important information from
seminars.
See you there.
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