We just returned from this year’s Home & Design Show where we had a delightful time meeting past (and future!) clients, our “Where is Your Happy Place?” contest winners and many of our more than 200 fellow exhibitors. The Home & Design Show is always enjoyable for the OGC staff, but was especially exciting this year as it was our first time as a presenting sponsor. We had such a great time, we’re already looking forward to the Home Renovation Show in January 2014! OGC Material Selections Coordinator Jacqueline Ward described the experience saying, “There was excitement and hope in the air. The excitement was ours as we love a good renovation project, hope was from each passerby, looking for the best contractor to call their own as if looking for a new puppy at the SPCA. We found many great homes that day!” Thousands of attendees stopped by to watch presentations, visit exhibits and gather ideas for their home designs. The show is also where the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association exhibits nominees and holds voting for their People’s Choice Award—one of their many annual Housing Design Awards. More than 650 attendees voted choosing Christopher Simmonds Architect and RND Construction’s modern-themed, ultra-green “Zen Barn” as the winner. The design featured cladding made from 80-year-old white oak barn boards. Our next show, Caneast’s Home Renovations Show, taking place January 24-26, 2014 at the Ernst & Young Centre will be just as exciting and dynamic! This show is perfect for anyone interested in renovating or upgrading their current home. Although the 2014 presenter list has not been released yet, the 2013 lineup included everyone from Denis Villeneuve from Studio ‘S’ Interiors to Jeremy Bertrand, Tax Advisory Specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Finance and Penny Southam co-host of W and Own Networks. Check our future newsletters, website and Facebook page for announcements about free ticket and giveaways contests. We already know it is going to be another great show, and we hope to see you there! 
