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ESPITE some unfounded nasly rumors floating around the ex- hibit halls, the National Home Center Show is alive, surprisingly well and far along in preparations for the 1992 show. March 8-10.

This year's version of the world's largest home improvement products expo was a reflection of its times, slowed slightly by war, recession and an uncertain business climate. Total attendance was approximately 32,000, down l5o/o from last year; there were 1056 exhibitors. down an even 200 from 1990. Total show space was off 160/0. All the figures are in line with averages for all U.S. trade shows, which are off between l0o/o and 200/0.

The home center show occupies 397,000 sq. ft., making it one of the biggest trade shows of any kind in the country.

Named to the Home Center Hall of Fame at the show were John W. Hechinger, Sr., chairman of the Hechinger Co., Landover, Md., and Robert K. Curtis, chairman of Curtis Lumber Co., Inc., Ballston Spa, N.Y, Named for Pioneer Recognition in the hall were the three Levy brothers whose descendants today operate Levy's Lumber and Building Centers, Louisville, Ky.

In addition to scores of exhibits featuring the latest in industry products and services, the March 24-26 show had a free Management Conference, paid seminars, and five new educational displays that included doors, windows, new products, desktop publishing, a technology demo center and a kitchen design center.

Futurist author Alvin Toffler spoke on change in the nature of political and business power. He said knowledge and education were keys to control in coming years. Tofller used the recent Culf War technology as an example of how knowledge has changed the conduct of war.

Football great Terry Bradshaw gave an upbeat talk drawing on his gridiron experiences and offering suggestions on how the lessons learned in sports can be translated to everyday life.

In an industry first, the show presented a special section with 14 Chinese companies exhibiting wares manufactured and crafted in the People's Republic of China. The Chinese participation was a result of a trip to China made by John F. Berry, director of the trade show division of Vance Publishing, the show sponsor.

Story at a Glance

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In addition to some handcrafts, Chinese products ranged from refrigerators to cast iron products, hardware, building materials, machinery, glasswares, electrical, garden, kitchen products and even tv sets.

While the National Home Center Show had its detractors, many attending found lighter crowds presented an opportunity to spend more quality time with customers. Typical were the comments by Rich Viola, Furman Lumber Co., Billerica, Ma., who said, "lt was a good show. We saw upper management and we'll be back next year."

Paul Hylbert, PrimeSource, said, "lt's our eleventh show. We thought it was very valuable and we'll be here next year,"

The president of Donner Moulding & Millwork, Marion, Va., Art Ramey, observed, "While attendance was off. the National Home Center Show was the best show that we have ever had as far as generating new customer leads because of our new products and displays."

Noting that this was the first year since the show's inception in 1976 that exhibit space hadn't grown, show director Berry said that "if the economy turns around, next year's show could easily match l99l and possibly be a little bigger." He said management is considering using both floors of the huge East Hall next year, saving showgoers the long trek to North Hall. If that happens, the popular new categorization layout begun in 1990 may be dropped. An advantage to exhibitors would be avoiding having direct competitors next to each other.

Chicago's huge McCormick Place will again be the venue for next year's show, as it will through 1996. While not a universal opinion, most felt that this year's home center show mirrored a weak economy, not any weakness of the show itself. As one exhibitor put it, "l always have a good show because I work at it. Ifall these griping exhibitors worked as hard as I do, they'd be happy campers, too."