Brandon Leuallen, The Business Times

The upcoming 2025 Home Improvement and Remodeling Expo is a showcase of innovations.

It’s also a crucial fundraiser and springboard for the Home Builders Association of Western Colorado, which represents more than 150 home and building companies that employ thousands of local workers on the Western Slope.

The expo, which will take place March 7-9 at the Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St., plays a key role in supporting the Home Builders Association of Western Colorado’s  advocacy work.

Funds raised go toward initiatives such as a governmental affairs associate focused on local housing policy, a housing summit to foster collaboration between industry and government, and its Careers in Construction program that partners with School District 51.

These efforts aim to address the local housing crisis by bringing more housing online and growing the local workforce.

“Our vendors and members play a crucial role in this cycle, contributing to our mission of keeping housing attainable,”  said Shayna Heiney, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Western Colorado

Included with the expo ticket, the HBA offers a self-guided builder open house tour, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the construction process. Attendees can explore homes in different stages of development and view potential customization options.

Vendors include a variety of local home improvement companies that provide jobs and offer unique products and services to Mesa County. Among them are the following:

Glass Guru

Joe Miller, owner of Glass Guru, has had a booth at the event for seven years. He recognizes the expo’s value in educating local customers about their unique products, like the in-glass pet door.

“We do a few things that are really unique, and without seeing it most customers don’t even know it exists,” Miller said. “So, it’s a great opportunity for us to get in front of several hundred potential customers and educate them on what we do and how we can help them.”

Miller said the expo is essential for his company, kicking off the year during a slow season and generating more than 100 leads annually. Some customers reach out years later after remembering seeing Glass Guru at the event.

With six employees depending on his company for new business, Miller said the expo is the best marketing opportunity of the year. Glass Guru specializes in remodels and offers services such as replacement windows, home gym mirrors and shower enclosures. The company also focuses on energy-efficient glass technology that can significantly lower energy costs for homeowners.

“Technology in glass has advanced so much that we can now offer energy-efficient solutions at a third of the cost of replacing windows,” Miller said.

Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter

For Patti Deters, co-owner of Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter, this year’s event is especially personal. Her son and his fiancée, who plan to return to Grand Junction to join the family business, will attend the expo and accompany her, introducing the attendees to all that Ambassador has to offer. 

Ambassador is preparing for the upcoming expo with notable additions to their products to offer local homeowners, including a line of patio shades designed to withstand Florida-strength winds and new technologies, such as solar-powered automatic shades that can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs.

WD Yards

Bill Christensen, president of WD Yards, employs 40 local lawn-care professionals, including five certified arborists and a master gardener. He said the show is valuable for generating new leads, but even more so for connecting with long-time customers who attend the event.

“Some of the customers we get to catch up with have been customers for 20 or even 40 years,” he said.

Christensen, who said he has attended the expo longer than any other vendor he knows of, recalls his first show in either 1988 or 1989 when he was just a one-man operation. He noted the expo has grown a lot over the years, and being that his company doesn’t have a showroom, the event remains one of the best ways to showcase WD Yards services to potential customers.

Careers in Construction Program

Introducing attendees to the Careers in Construction program at this year’s event is especially important to Karrie Kuklish, committee chair of Careers in Construction of Western Colorado. Kuklish helped launch the program locally in 2024 at Palisade High School to enhance vocational education in the area, with plans to expand to Fruita and Grand Junction high schools by the fall of 2025.

The program addresses the dual challenges of educational gaps and workforce shortages in the construction industry. The program introduces a nationally recognized curriculum from the Home Builders Institute, offering students practical skills and certifications. Students start with a foundational PAC-10 training class, covering construction math, tool identification and employability skills. They also earn an OSHA 10 certification, which allows them to work on job sites as early as age 15.

As students advance, they can explore nine different trades, including carpentry and plumbing. 

The program helps schools by covering teacher stipends, training and student-certification costs. Local businesses support the initiative through donations, ensuring funds directly benefit schools.

The program also offers hands-on learning experiences, such as a construction day at the fairgrounds, where students engage with various trades. Additionally, industry professionals visit classrooms to share expertise and offer mentorship.

Careers in Construction Colorado not only prepares students for immediate employment, it also provides pathways to further education in trade schools, such as Colorado Mesa University Tech.

An information table about the Careers in Construction program will be available at the event for attendees interested in learning more.

In addition to her work with Careers in Construction, Kuklish is the head of business development at Fixture Studio in Grand Junction.

WHEN AND WHERE TO ATTEND

The 2025 Home Improvement and Remodeling Expo will take place at Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St., on the following days:

Friday, March 7 – 10 a.m. to  5 p.m.

Saturday, March 8 – 10 a.m. to  5 p.m.

Sunday, March 9 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for seniors. Kids ages 12 and under are free.