After the monumental success of last year’s DesignBuildCincy trade show, Doug Hart is getting ready to do it a second time. Last year, more than 2,000 people came to Music Hall for the two-day event to mingle, chat and examine work from more than 100 local designers, remodelers and craftsmen. This year, Hart believes it will be bigger and better than ever.
“If you’re doing a remodeling, design or build project, this is not a show you want to miss,” he says. “If you’re not currently doing a project, but you love design and handmade things, we’ll have a lot of handmade furniture, custom metalwork and big, functional items for the home. So come and appreciate the craftsmanship coming from the fabricators in this city.”
Hart’s pride in Greater Cincinnati and the builders that are participating in this show is evident – he has a passion for local architecture and thinks Cincinnati is a truly unique landscape. Hart selected Music Hall for his venue because of its iconic architecture. The fact that it is located in Over-the-Rhine was a bonus. Guests are encouraged to not only enjoy the show but to explore the neighborhood as well. From the restaurants to Washington Park to neighborhood shops, the ever-changing neighborhood is a unique experience similar to
Hart’s show.
“The whole idea behind DesignBuildCincy was to embrace what’s happening in the community,” says Hart. “We want our visitors to come outside, visit the park, walk around and see the development going on. I can’t stress that enough.”
This year’s event will be at Music Hall once more, but with one major difference: Friday was added to the roster. Hart’s team received feedback last year that showed attendees wanted to explore the neighborhood for dinner or drinks in Over-the-Rhine after attending the show. The extra day will give people the opportunity to spend more time at the show and in Over-the-Rhine. Last year’s timing didn’t accommodate that, but this year the show will run from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. so that attendees can feel free to venture out into the area afterwards.
“We want people to experience the community,” says Hart. “People who truly have an interest in architecture and design can have a better experience by seeing what’s going on. This kind of architecture doesn’t really exist in other cities the way it does here.”
At DesignBuildCincy, guests will experience the very best in the region. Industry professionals from more than 130 vendors will be on hand to answer any questions that might arise.
DesignBuildCincy Trade Show
October 30 – November 1
Friday – 5-8 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $8 per person, attendees under the age of 13 are free.