For many homeowners, the hardest part of improving a home isn’t the project itself; it’s knowing where to start. Ideas pile up, decisions feel overwhelming and projects often stall before they ever begin.
The West Austin Home Show was created to change that.
Taking place on March 7 and hosted by the West Austin Chamber of Commerce, the event is designed to turn uncertainty into clarity by giving residents direct, face-to-face access to local businesses. Now in its third year, it’s a practical expression of the Chamber’s mission: to connect businesses with the community in meaningful ways.
“The Home Show is really about highlighting all of the locally owned small businesses that are serving [the community], whether that’s through home renovations, buying, selling or decorating,” Executive Director Nicole Tomaszewski said.
15 years in the making
The Home Show arrives as the West Austin Chamber of Commerce celebrates a major milestone: 15 years of community engagement. Over the last decade and a half, the Chamber has evolved into a trusted community pillar, engaging in local conversations around issues such as fire safety, traffic congestion and more.
The Chamber hosts four to five events each month focused on professional connections. It also anchors its calendar with three signature community events each year, designed to bring its mission beyond business networking and into the neighborhoods it serves.
The West Austin Home Show does just this.
From overwhelming ideas to clear first steps
The event is intentionally curated to be quaint and approachable, moving away from massive, impersonal expos.
The Chamber limits participation to only two vendors per category to ensure a high-quality experience. This means attendees won’t walk into a room of 17 roofers, but rather a balanced mix of diverse services, including:
Interior, exterior and specialty paintingInterior designKitchen and bath remodelingRoofing and guttersBuying/selling a homeFinancing your home or an improvement projectHome organizationHome energy savings ideasAnd more”Having a smaller get-together allows our vendors to focus more on individuals. … They can have better, more in-depth conversations,” Board of Directors member Michelle Hagli said.
This year, the event will debut an educational stage where professionals provide 20-minute talks on various home topics. This will allow attendees to plan their visit around specific interests.
Additionally, the Home Show will have a Kids Zone with crafts and activities for children 10 and under. The Learning Experience Anderson Mill is hosting and sponsoring this area, so even the youngest attendees will enjoy their time.
Real outcomes and success stories
Over the past three years, the show has grown from 26 to 39 vendors, with an impressive 70% return rate for businesses. This year’s event is sold out of vendor spots, and the lineup will be shared with all who RSVP during the week leading up to the event.
Thermal Vision is a local company that uses specialized inspections to identify air loss and water damage, saving homeowners significant money. They launched around the time of the first Home Show, and since then, business has boomed.
“[Thermal Vision] gives us a lot of credit for helping them get started and bringing visibility to their business,” Tomaszewski said.
One interior design company secured an incredible client during her first year at the show, and one past attendee used the show to find a professional to redo her garage.
Ready to sign up?
Whether you’re tackling spring cleaning, organizing or prepping for the market, the show perfectly aligns with the shift toward spring renovations.
Join the Chamber on March 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone who pre-registers can attend for free. If adults do not pre-register, they will be charged $5 at the door.
Click here to learn more or pre-register today.
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The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.