“We have everything from décor, renovation, and landscaping garden companies all under one roof. It’s a one-stop shop,” says Terri Higgins, show manager. “This is a great place to find advice, solutions and inspiration for all those decorating, landscaping and gardening needs people have.”

Certainly one of the biggest attractions at the 2008 show is the 1,600-square-foot Flower Power garden city. Green thumbs can pot and plant with glee after checking out all the budding blossoms and gardening must-haves. Also available will be a wide selection of fresh-cut flowers, potted plants, seeds, and gardening tools.

A day in the garden is an ideal way to say goodbye to the winter blues and usher in spring, adds Higgins. Last year was the first time the show featured an indoor garden market such as Flower Power. “Once we find something that people enjoy we like to enhance it.”

This winter’s chilly weather and snow aren’t expected to dampen the spirits of the thousands of Calgarians which Higgins hopes will walk through the doors of the Roundup Centre during the show’s four-day run.

While the two-time show manager couldn’t comment on how many people have enjoyed the Calgary Home and Garden Show in the past, she says attendance between 2006 and 2007 increased 25 per cent.

She attributes the increase to the spike in popularity for home décor shows appearing on TV networks like HGTV, Life, Slice, and others.

“I think people are becoming more hands-on and they’re looking for ways to do it themselves rather than bringing in a (contractor),” she says.

Lori Mitchell, president of Tomboy Tools Canada (http://www.tomboytools.ca), hopes her presentation at the show will empower women by teaching them a few handy tricks of the tool trade that are sure to get them hammered.

Celebrating its fourth anniversary this March, Mitchell bought the Canadian rights to Tomboy Tools in 2002 after meeting with its founders in Denver, Colo.

“You’re not going to hire a contractor to hang a curtain rod,” says Mitchell. “It turns out women from all the over world are faced with the same problems. A lot of them want to improve their homes themselves for all kinds of reasons and are struggling with tools and knowledge level.”

Her first year at the Calgary Home and Garden Show, Mitchell is hosting Tool School 101, The Butter Knife is for your Toast. She’ll discuss what she refers to as the “dirty little secrets” of tool boxes, what tools can do, how to use them, and will include an interactive presentation with a volunteer.

Tomboy Tools offers a pink line of tools specifically for women that are ergonomically built to deal with female hand size, upper-body strength and level of knowledge. And like its Tupperware predecessors, it also offers home parties for women.

Other guest speakers and celebrity guests include HGTV’s Sarah Richardson, who will speak about kitchen trends and needs, and HGTV’s Kelly Deck will talk about outdoor design and themes. Interior design guru and New Home Living columnist, Alykhan Velji will also be speaking. For more information about the Calgary Home and Garden Show check out the website at http://www.calgaryhomeshow.com NL