I'm one of those Birks types who like to DIY and therefor won't spring for the big bucks for a professional landscaper but I wonder how many Doctors actually attend home shows. I've known a lot of Doctors and don't think this is how most would find you. More likely to hear about your outstanding work from a fellow golfer or at a social function. Perhaps thinking outside the box includes finding ways to attract your chosen customers other than the home show. I do have retail experience as a business owner and know many wholesalers no longer do the big trade fairs due to the exorbitant costs. More effective ways to find clients. I occasionally go to home shows but I'd only look at a landscaper's display for ideas. Anyone interested in a fairy garden IMO is likely not a potential customer. I've done one myself and it's more a creative/DIY/T2T effort than something one would pay a professional for. As a home show attendee, I would not step inside a big container. I think you might be able to make 3 rooms in a 10'x30' space using fabric. Make them like tents with fairly high ceilings and showcase 3 different types of gardens. Put scented flowers in one, a water feature in another, and perhaps a night garden in the 3rd. Or whatever you think your customers might be interested in. The night garden would use dark fabric inside with tiny lights to simulate stars with either white plants or perhaps architectural plants to appeal to those who like contemporary style. Depends on who you are trying to appeal to. Make the tents fairly shallow so people can still walk in and talk to you in front of them. If you have slideshows of different styles of gardens you could show those on large TVs in the tents. Three different styles of gardens should be enough to prove you are effective at your job if you make them as different as possible. Good luck with the show, whatever you do, and I hope you post pics of your booth. I occasionally come here hoping for inspiration.

Last year was just too persistently cold/wet. Things here in SE MN took off like crazy and with watering I thought I had taken good care of everything. But, plants are making Y after Y and just now beginning to make tiny buds on some..not all. Thank goodness for reliable old White Sauvolens...not on flush #3. Ollie is new to me this year but just now coming to the end of a looong 2nd flush. Xena (also new to me) has flushed twice and is definitely a keeper. My little santa Rosa cutting produced a plant which is a good 12' tall requirng 'guidewires' to prevent it from tipping (next year it goes in a half barrel against a lattice fence for more mass) and has given its 1st blossom but guess I'm not gonna get to check the scent way up there - LOL. Oh, Cupid's Blush (new to this year) has also flushed twice...I think its greatest attaction for me is how it neatly folds up every day. I've actually gotten out to take pix this year though i cant seem to emulate the quality so many others have posted. I'm putting them on the computer and will share this winter tto keep us all warm (once I figure out how to postem) Hope everybody gets flowers on all their plants before the end of the season. Will

chisue - You apparently missed Satine's opening line, stating that her daughter is "near her due date". Ergo, she's had 9 whole months to be counseled and think about the decision she's making. Please stop giving advice on something that you know nothing of and in the process, typing out posts of discouragement. Satine, your family has been added to my daily prayer board and to our weekly prayer group/Bible study. Not even knowing you or your daughter, you both truly make me proud! Just plain proud. :)

Thank you, I let Marjorie know you are all sending prayers and good thoughts. Heather, I would be a nervous Nellie too. I would rather be put out in a minute. Yes, Shirley I will be there. They moved her surgery up so she will be going in at 11:30 am tomorrow instead of 1:45 pm. Paul is picking me up at 9:00 am and I will most likely stay until visiting hours are over at 8:00 pm It will be a long day but Paul is lending me his Ipod which has some tv shows and movies on it. I am looking forward to watching some Thin Man movies while Marjorie is being operated on and while in recovery. I am not sure how long the surgery will be. I really hope Marjorie doesn't fret too much because it isn't good for her heart and that concerns me. She wanted to make sure a crash cart was standing by. I told her of course it would be. Her heart rate isn't supposed to go over 130 bpm but most often than not it is quite higher than that when she stresses or gets excited over something. Thank you all again. I will post when I get home from the hospital. Anne