A new manufacturers exposition called the Northern Michigan Fall Construction Expo was unanimously approved by the Mackinaw City Village Council Thursday, June 5. To be held at the village recreation complex during the last week of September, the show will offer displays of windows, doors, siding, trusses, "everything that goes into building a house," said Brian White, executive officer for the Upper Peninsula Builders Association, who addressed the council with Doug Byron of the Little Traverse Association of Home Builders.

A comparable event takes place in Grand Rapids, Mr. White said.

No sales will take place at the exposition. Builders and the public can see what is available for building homes, particularly the 2009 product lines.

Unlike a home show, in which suppliers sell directly to consumers, at the manufacturers show, companies will unveil their new product lines and link interested people with suppliers in their local areas.

"We think it will be a boon for the [Straits] area...If it is successful the first year, we will come back every year and do it," Mr. White said.

"The great thing about doing the show in Mackinaw City is that we are drawing from Gaylord, Traverse City...from the Central Upper Peninsula [and] the Eastern Upper Peninsula. We'd like to do it up here because of the central location. We'd also like to do this because you've got the room," he said, addressing the council.

The Straits area is also a great destination spot because it could offer a fall getaway for attendees before snowfall. They may stay in the area to vacation, he added. Each booth will hold three to five vendors, all of whom will need hotel space and will eat at restaurants for the weekend, he said.

The building industry in northern Michigan and the U.P. is not feeling the economic crunch as badly as Lower Michigan, he said. The show is designed to put a positive spin on the industry and demonstrate that not all industries are doing badly in all areas, Mr. White told The St. Ignace News.

"Actually, it is a good time to buy, build, and remodel," he said.

The builders associations are collaborating to bring about 100 booths to the Mackinaw City Recreation Complex. Citing his experiences holding home shows in Houghton and Marquette, the exposition could draw anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 people, Mr. White said. An annual home show by the Upper Peninsula Builders Association in Houghton draws about 68 venders and has consistently drawn 3,500 people.

Responding to public concern over the potential size of the event, Village Manager Jeff Lawson detailed the parking areas that will be available for show participants.

The exposition will use the ice rink for booths and the paved lot outside for larger equipment. There will also be 12-foot by 12-foot tents set up for displays on the softball field.

To make the village competitive with other areas that could hold the show, the lease will be low this year, about $1,200, Mr. Lawson said, adding that if it the show turns out to be exceptionally large, the village may charge more in the future.