National home center show upbeat

aFIPTIMISM was the prevailing Yspirit at the National Home Center / Home Improvement Congress & Exposition, held Feb. 27 -Mar.2, in Dallas, Tx. In terms of square feet, it was the largest trade show ever held in Dallas. More than 1300 manufacturers and suppliers displayed thousands of d-i-y products. Anticipation of better business in 1983 was nearly universal.

Attendance was 23,203 gross at- tendance, up sharply from 17,834 in 1980 when the show was last held in Dallas. When the show was held in Chicago last year, it drew a whopping 26,334. These figures, while unaudited, are believed to be very accurate, unlike some of the show attendance figures put forth by other trade show organizers.

Stanley Marcus, former chairman and c.e.o. of the Neiman-Marcus Co., was the keynote speaker. The