C
ommissioner Larry Maggi is questioning the need for a second Real Estate Expo in Washington County after two firms were hired to plan and promote the event. Despite his concerns, motions to hire Richardson Communications for consulting services and pay Drive Marketing Inc. $2,000 per month plus 10% of its gross funds raised passed 2-1 with Maggi dissenting.

    Maggi expressed skepticism about the upcoming event, citing a lack of information on its date or location. He also questioned why government resources were used to organize the inaugural expo, which cost over $130,000 and nearly broke even due to sponsorships and vendor fees.

    Sherman and Janis have touted the first expo as a success that led to multiple development deals and showcased the county's economic opportunities. However, Maggi pointed out that the event had sparse attendance, as seen in a photo shared by Commissioner Larry Maggi.

    The largest expense for this year's expo was $35,164 spent on HGTV personality Hilary Farr's speaking appearance, which included a first-class flight from Toronto and a two-night stay at the Fairmont hotel. Sherman said they plan to shorten the length of next year's event and not bring in another celebrity keynote speaker, which should cut down on expenses.

    No date or location has been selected for the 2026 Real Estate Expo, and it is unclear if changes will be made to its format.