Not just a home show: Wide variety of vendors, products, services at weekend event

RIO RANCHO — The floor of the Rio Rancho Events Center was packed with businesses of all types Saturday and Sunday during the New Mexico Home & Remodeling Expo.

The event has a long tradition in Rio Rancho, dating back to 2007. John Pravato, show promoter and organizer, said the original expo was the first event held at the center and brought in about 10,000 people.

“Everybody came out and wanted to see the new venue,” Pravato said.

While this weekend’s crowds were smaller, he said they were “quality.” With so many community events being held in the area, those just looking for something to do are less likely to come to a home show. However, he said, “The quality is still exceptional. The quality is still there. Everybody that came here was here for a reason.”

It’s also a convenient way for potential customers to explore their options, Prarvato said.

“Where else can you go and, in two hours or less, see all this stuff?” he said. “You’re not going to drive all over town and look at these things. I still think there’s value to this.”

And variety there was. There were painters, hot tubs, landscapers, roofers, blinds and window coverings, garage doors, roofing, tiling, siding, flooring, heating and plumbing, pest control, and more.

But it wasn’t just vendors for home improvement projects. There was also cookware and kitchen products, vendors for pet needs, artwork, jewelry, snacks, phone companies, skin care and more available for those making their way from booth to booth.

“This is the most I’ve ever had here,” Pravato said of the 111 vendors taking up 195 booths.