It all began in 1996

Christmas Expo got its start in 1996 when Chuck Smith became tired of explaining  to others how to build over-the-top displays.  He and his wife were  eating at one of those "Hollywood" chain restaurants and it struck him  an Internet website should be created so people could easily access it  and learn the tricks of the trade. PlanetChristmas.com, a decorating  community developed with people from around the world eager to learn and exchange information, was born the next day. The site's popularity soon led to the first PlanetChristmas Lights Up Symposium (PLUS) event in  2003. This event gave lighting enthusiasts a place to meet each other  and take decorating classes from the experts.

We're dedicated to creating a great event!

Over the years, the focus of PLUS was on creating great Christmas displays  both indoors and out. But more and more people were getting into Halloween and using it as a warm-up to Christmas. Design principles are fundamentally the same no matter what event your celebrating or it's location. The props might be different but the rules of placement, color, scale and symmetry are consistent. Behind the scenes animation tricks are also similar. There was an opportunity to show and teach the fundamentals of both Christmas and Halloween at the same event before  the seasons began and so PLUS expanded and became Christmas Expo.

With the success of past events and the potential growth for the future, Chuck began the search to find a new owner for Christmas Expo. He looked for someone with experience in event management who also had a passion  for the holiday experience. In 2012, he found just that with sisters Joyce Perhac with ProShow, Inc., an event planning company based in  Pittsburgh, PA and Janice Blasko from The Abbey Group, a website development company in Orlando, FL.(and the owner of
www.ChristmasLightFinder.com). The duo have collaborated on numerous events and projects over the years and both have "that crazy lighting enthusiast" passion. Janice has attended PLUS, as well as mini-PLUS events and decorates to the nines for Halloween and Christmas. Joyce's home is also the only one in her neighborhood with an outdoor  display. Joyce and Janice are committed to making this event the best it can be. And even though management has changed, their inboxes are  always open for ideas, opinions or thoughts anyone has. This event will  continue to be about YOU and we're not afraid to hear the good and the bad.

It's still PLUS to many insiders, but we don't care what you call it as long as you're there!