6 issues to know in regards to the new Equip Expo

Over the course of some a long time, lots of of 1000’s of garden care and panorama professionals rolled into Louisville to attend GIE+EXPO and see what’s new within the trade. This yr, on the first-ever Equip Exposition, the present itself takes heart stage with a reimagining of what it may be for its attendees.

Subsequent month we’ll share among the most revolutionary new gear to be unveiled on the inaugural Equip Expo. This month, we’re taking a look at what attendees can stay up for at this new present … together with some solutions from our employees on issues to do after-hours in Louisville.

1. Welcome reception at Louisville Slugger Subject

Equip Expo kicks off with a bang on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Sponsored by Husqvarna and Louisville Tourism, Louisville Slugger Subject, residence of the appropriately named Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, would be the location for the welcome reception. The occasion runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m., presents meals and beverage and culminates with a firework present.

Tammy Lee, supervisor of enterprise to client advertising and marketing for John Deere turf, utility and compact tractors, says at Equip, the corporate needs to present the trade a glimpse of what’s occurring with the corporate now and over the following a number of years. Due to this, they’re upping their very own attendees for the brand new occasions, just like the welcome reception.

“We’re bringing in extra key sellers for the welcoming reception,” Lee says. “Loads of our management from John Deere shall be attending. We’re anticipating a fair better viewers of our buyer base that shall be attending this present.”

2. A much bigger, bolder structure

The present stays on the Kentucky Exposition Middle (KEC), however the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns and operates the occasion, needed to make sure Equip regarded totally different than its predecessor. Count on a reworked structure from GIE+EXPO that additionally occupies extra actual property.

“We blew the factor up. We needed to start out from scratch,” says Kris Kiser, CEO of the OPEI. “Each Equip Expo and Hardscapes North America, which continues to co-locate with us, shall be within the north wing. However the hallway is all open now. We created an training heart with a retail outlet. The south wing is the gear wing, and we’ve expanded the out of doors space.”

The outdoor demo area expands from 22 acres to 30 acres. As attendees exit the KEC, they may stroll into the Stihl sales space.

“The demo space, for us, is essential,” says Nick Carlson, founding father of Mulch Mate. “It doesn’t really feel the identical in video as while you see it in individual. After they get to see the gear run the best way it was meant to run, nothing can exchange that feeling. I consider most purchases are made off of feeling. All that further area provides that feeling to the consumers who’re there to develop their enterprise.”

3. New training periods

With the brand new present comes new companions in providing educational sessions to Equip Expo attendees. In case you’re studying this journal, you’re already acquainted with a type of new companions: Panorama Administration journal.

“We wish to make this present very related to the panorama contractor and the hardscape contractor, so we shaped partnerships like (with LM), with the Engine and Gear Coaching Council, with the Pool and Scorching Tub Alliance,” Kiser says. “We wish to carry specialists within the discipline to the present and develop one thing that’s related for immediately’s attendee.”

Lessons will embody acquainted faces typically seen within the journal, like “Develop your second in command,” taught by longtime LM columnist Jeffrey Scott. Judy Guido, chairwoman of Guido and Associates, will lead “Promoting your enterprise: What each operator must know” with a panel together with Ed Bates of BrightView, James Huston of J.R. Consulting and Don Winsett of Davey Tree as panelists. “Your organization, your tradition” consists of LM columnist Ken Thomas and Editor-in-Chief Seth Jones, together with Larry Ryan of Ryan Lawn & Tree, Peter Dufau of Dufau Landscape, Brian Brueggeman of Bruce Wilson & Co. and Donna Vignocchi of ILT Vignocchi Landscape.

“We’re effectively versed in sharing info with our readers through our ordinary channels — the print journal, our LMDirect! e-newsletter, on webinars and social media,” says Invoice Roddy, writer of LM. “Including our personal courses to Equip Expo is a implausible new alternative and a manner for us to even higher interact our viewers.”

4. Who’s actually the quickest?

Quick, pleasant service is an everyday promise within the trade. However who’s actually the quickest man and lady on this nice trade? At Equip Expo, we’ll discover out.

Sponsored by Ariens, the primary ever Mulligan’s 5K Enjoyable Run & Stroll takes place at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19. The race features a journey throughout the Large 4 pedestrian bridge over the Ohio River.

“(Sponsoring the 5K) is a bit bit private. My dad (Mike Ariens, former chairman/CEO, Ariens) was a runner and again within the early days of the previous commerce present, there was a 5K, and he would run that race,” says Dan Ariens, chairman/CEO of Ariens. “He and Fred Stratton (chairman emeritus, Briggs & Stratton) and all these guys within the trade would run in it. It was only a enjoyable run, and this can be a good manner for us to be a sponsor of one thing distinctive and totally different at Equip.”

Taking part within the race prices $40, with proceeds benefitting the Kentucky Humane Society.

5. Large-name stars

Legendary nation singer Hint Adkins will carry out at 4th Avenue Reside for this yr’s Equip Expo. The multi-platinum star will placed on a free present sponsored by Stihl on the Belgard Stage at eight p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20. Adkins is finest identified for his hits “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Factor,” “Women Love Nation Boys,” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.”

“I really like Hint Adkins; he’s iconic,” says Carlson. “Have a look at the blokes who present up for this present. All of us have a tendency to love the identical issues: We like our gear; We like our vehicles and we like our nation music. Hint Adkins is the top of nation music. I feel we are able to all relate to him and his lyrics. It’s an ideal match. I stay up for 4th Avenue and what Equip brings because the extras, and it’s one thing they don’t even need to do.”

Giving the opening keynote is David Feherty, former skilled golfer and present golf broadcaster. Sponsored by John Deere, the keynote takes place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Feherty, well-known for his fast wit and humorous one-liners, as soon as stated skilled golfer Jim Furyk’s swing, “seems like an octopus falling out of a tree.”

“We upped the expertise. That’s why we have now Hint Adkins and David Feherty,” Kiser provides. “We actually upped the enjoyable. We’ve upped the power to work together along with your friends. And we’ve upped the tutorial choices together with the reveals.”

6. Largest. Present. Ever.

Excellent news for OPEI: the brand new identify has not dissuaded attendees from registering in huge numbers. Attendee registration is monitoring at a document tempo. Solely after the present concludes will these numbers turn into official, however specialists agree this Equip ought to set data.

This would be the first Equip Expo for John Deere’s Lee, who comes from the agriculture facet of the trade.
“I’m so excited to get to Equip Expo. That is the present everybody tells me would be the finest present I’ve ever been to,” she says. “I’ve been to lots of farm exhibits, however I haven’t attended this one. The bar is ready excessive; we have now nice expectations.”

Attendee numbers are nonetheless being calculated, however the sq. footage just isn’t unsure. It is going to be the largest present ever hosted by OPEI by way of sq. footage.

“We’re seeing pre-registration numbers which can be greater than final yr. We’re fully bought out from an exhibitor standpoint. We’re fully bought out from out of doors and indoor area, we have now a ready record of individuals searching for sales space area,” Ariens says. “It’ll be the biggest present ever in our trade. It feels already like a house run. I feel it’ll really feel like a grand slam once we’re completed.”