From tears to cheers, how the Tiny House Expo shattered records and captured hearts!

From tears to cheers, how the Tiny House Expo shattered records and captured hearts!

By Sharla May 3 minutes read

The 2024 Tiny House Expo was a record-breaking success, with 10,200 attendees, marking a 20% increase from last year.

As the expo director, I couldn’t be prouder of the growth, enthusiasm, and vibrant community the event continues to build. This year was packed with unforgettable moments, impactful sales, a heartwarming charity auction, and exciting news about the expo’s future!

Highlights from the 2024 Expo

Feedback from attendees and exhibitors was phenomenal. For the first time, a builder set a new record by selling 17 builds at the show! This impressive feat highlights the strong demand for tiny homes and the trust in our talented builders, who showcased their best work. The energy was palpable, from the packed seminar sessions to the buzzing exhibition halls filled with the latest designs and innovations.

One standout moment was a charity auction hosted by Unit2go with the support of Harveys Real Estate, which raised a remarkable $90,000 for Blue Light NZ. Witnessing the community’s generosity in action was inspiring, and knowing these funds will support youth programmes made it all the more meaningful. It was a special moment that truly reflected the heart of the tiny home movement.

We were thrilled to welcome several new builders to the expo this year, bringing innovative designs and fresh perspectives to the tiny house community. They were warmly received by attendees, who included visitors from the South Island, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, a testament to the tiny house movement’s growing international appeal.

The Demand for Knowledge

In response to increased demand, we expanded our seminar space this year, yet many sessions still saw standing-room-only crowds. Covering topics from financing tiny homes to navigating compliance, the packed room highlighted a genuine hunger for knowledge. Attendees want to make informed decisions and feel empowered on their journey toward tiny living.

A New Home for the Tiny House Expo: Mystery Creek

We’re thrilled to announce that, starting next year, the Tiny House Expo will be moving to Mystery Creek. Mystery Creek offers stability, more space, and affordability, with benefits like free parking and on-site accommodation options for motorhomes and tiny homes.

This central location will be more accessible to our expanding audience from regions such as Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Taranaki, making it easier for more people to attend without the need to travel into Auckland’s busy suburbs. This move aligns with our goal to keep the event affordable, convenient, and in tune with New Zealand’s growing tiny home community.

Looking Ahead

The Tiny House Expo’s success is thanks to each of you, builders, exhibitors, attendees, and tiny house enthusiasts, who bring passion, curiosity, and an openness to explore alternative lifestyles. We’re immensely grateful for your continued support and look forward to taking the expo to new heights at Mystery Creek next year (and celebrating our 10th event!). With a larger venue, lower costs, and a commitment to accessibility, we’re confident this move will help us better serve the tiny house community and inspire New Zealanders to consider the possibilities of tiny living.

Here’s to the next chapter of the Tiny House Expo, one filled with growth, connection, and a shared vision for a sustainable, affordable future in tiny living.

The information contained in this article may have changed since publication.

Tiny House Hub
01 Nov 2024

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