 | Wess Galyon is President and Chief Executive Office of the Wichita Area Builders Association which is the largest building industry trade association in the state of Kansas. He has been with the Association in this capacity since 1986 and represents the interests of builders and associates from his local association. Wess can be reached at his office, 316-265-4226. For more information, go to www.wabahome.com. |
Home Improvement
2004-01-01 12:02:00
History of the Home Show
ANSWER: In 1954, Wichita Area Builders Association, then known as Wichita Homebuilders, introduced The Home Show. That first year, The Home Show assembled in a tent. It moved to The Forum in 1955, and eventually found its home in Century II, as the first exhibit in Expo Hall.The average home price was $17,500 and the average annual salary was $4,700 (minimum wage was 75 cents an hour). Home Show offered attendees a look into the future. Builders were scrambling to accommodate the results of the baby boom. Families were buying homes in subdivisions with quality of life and neighborhood in mind. The family room was coming into prominence; a two-car garage was a luxury.A Home Show 1955 survey of attendees showed, 81% of those surveyed said that year-round air-conditioning was worth an additional $800. Ironically, the survey also indicated that 81% did not have air-conditioning in their current homes. Further, the survey reported that the majority of attendees would be willing to pay $12-$20,000 for a new home that included the modern convenience of air-conditioning.In1959, upscale subdivisions were popping up. Bonnie Brae, built on the site of the former Beech golf club, showcased homes of more than 1,500 sq. ft. in the price range of $22,500 - $50,000. In West Wichita, Westlink Village was under construction offering homes from $15,000 to $40,000. The western portion of the city seemed to be drawing the most new home sites.The 1960's post-war era proved to be the last rapid growth period of new home construction. Ultra modern homes offered gas ranges with a "Burner with a Brain" that adjusted its own flame and offered both "warm" and "simmer" settings. Kitchens were breaking away from the traditional white, adding color and contrast. Homemakers were requesting functional design with eating areas in the kitchen. The toughest times for the home building industry began in the 1970's, as interest rates soared to double digits (17-21%). The level of finance activity dropped, especially affecting housing, which has always been the leading component in economy growth through up and down cycles. Fortunately, the 1980's saw the interest rates coming down. The mortgage market stabilized, creating more confidence in the economy and increasing buying due to pent up demand. February 5th-8th, 2004, Wichita Area Builders Association proudly presents the 50th anniversary of the Home Show at Century II. Founded in 1951, The Wichita Area Builders Association is a not-for-profit tax-exempt professional trade association. Through the years, the combined efforts of individual members, councils and committees, and the organization as a whole, have unmistakably identified WABA as the watchdog of the building industry within the community. The February issue of The Q&A Times will highlight attractions of Home Show 2004.
