2010 was an eventful year for Charles & Hudson. We began at the Builder’s Show and later attended the National Hardware Show and Greenbuild Expo. While those major industry events were important, our favorite experiences were the hands-on events hosted by retailers and manufacturers, where we could actually try products and work on DIY projects.
We preferred getting out of boardrooms and into real work—these events let us test tools, meet the people behind the products, and understand how ideas move from concept to finished goods. Below are some of the standout DIY-focused events we attended in 2010.
Fifty for Five in New Orleans
We joined Sears and Rebuilding Together to help build 50 homes in five days, commemorating the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. It was a powerful, community-driven project that combined construction skills with meaningful volunteer work. Event photos
A Day with DeWALT at Black & Decker University
We visited DeWALT’s headquarters in Baltimore for the media launch of the 12V MAX cordless tool lineup. The event offered hands-on demonstrations and the chance to evaluate new compact, high-performance tools designed for professionals and serious DIYers. Event photos
Shaw Floors Launches Tigressa Carpet
Visiting Dalton, GA—the Carpet Capital of the World—gave us an inside look at Shaw Floors’ manufacturing, design, and R&D facilities. We toured production lines and learned about the development process behind their Tigressa carpet line, gaining insight into materials, testing, and design considerations. Event photos
Delta Faucet Media Day
At Delta/Brizo’s media event in Indianapolis, we received expert demonstrations across their faucet and fixture collections. The day included installation demos—one of which showed a faucet installed in under five minutes—which highlighted product features, quality, and ease of use. Event photos
Winter Wonderland at the Craftsman Experience
Sears/Craftsman opened the Craftsman Experience in downtown Chicago, and we spent three days helping build a Winter Wonderland installation, which included the construction of an elaborate Ultimate Sleigh. The project showcased Craftsman tools and demonstrated hands-on creativity and fabrication techniques to the public. Event photos
Behind the Scenes at Etsy
We toured the world of handmade goods at Etsy to explore how artisans design, produce, and sell unique products. The visit offered perspective on small-batch production, craftsmanship, and the creative processes that drive the handmade economy. Photos
Follow Charles & Hudson on Twitter and Facebook for event updates, photos, and in-depth coverage. We shared impressions and detailed pre- and post-event articles that captured what we learned and which products and people stood out at each event.