Upfront: Final preparations for GIE+EXPO 2016

By Steve Noe

Before going on a family vacation, my wife hands a “things to pack” checklist to each of our daughters, so they can properly pack without our help. This extensive checklist includes everything from hygiene products (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss) and clothes (type and quantity) to the basics (snacks) and miscellaneous items (cell phone and charger).

Now I’m assuming that you don’t need such a checklist to prepare for the 2016 Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO), which is set to take place Wednesday, Oct. 19 (Dealer Day), through Friday, Oct. 21, at Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center. If you forget any toiletries, you can always call your hotel’s front desk and often get those items for free. However, I’m here to provide you with the following brief “things to do” checklist before you leave for Louisville:

* Re-read OPE’s “GIE+EXPO 2016 Show Preview” in the September 2016 print edition or the digital edition at outdoorpowerequipment.com under “Resources” and then the “Back Issues” tab on the drop-down menu. The direct link to the September 2016 OPE digital edition is http://read.dmtmag.com/i/714159-september-2016.

* Register for GIE+EXPO and any of its events requiring pre-registration at www.gie-expo.com. The show’s website features a list of local hotels and rates with the option to book online 24/7 or through the Louisville Housing Bureau during its business hours at (800) 743-3100 or (502) 561-3100. The show’s website has loads of other valuable information.

* Download the free Go EXPO smartphone app, which is now available in the iTunes and Google Play stores. Sponsored by Gravely, the mobile app provides easy access to event schedules, the floor plan, exhibitor information, show announcements and social media posts. Specifically, the Go EXPO app’s Personalized Planner allows attendees and mobile app users to build a custom itinerary of preferred sessions and take notes via the My Notes feature. When not attending educational sessions, mobile app users can also utilize the Planner to search for exhibitors and view their product information, select exhibitors that they want to meet on the show floor and request appointments with them, use the interactive floor plan and a downloadable personalized walking map to easily navigate to their booth locations, and tag your favorites. The app can also be used to search the conference schedule, rate sessions, add and email notes, and view handouts. In addition, Go EXPO allows users to read, follow, and comment on tweets and Facebook posts from fellow attendees and exhibiting companies, as well as tune into exclusive updates, notifications and blogs from show management.

* Be sure to pre-register for UTV University, which will debut on Dealer Day (October 19) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. With Cub Cadet and Jacobsen serving as premier sponsors and Walbro as a session sponsor, UTV University will feature presentations by proven powersports dealer training specialists; a roundtable discussion with UTV manufacturers and industry leaders about the state of the UTV industry; and a Dealer Kick-off Keynote on “Selling Across Generations: Specific Actions That Drive Sales with Each Generation” by Jason Dorsey, “The Gen Y Guy.” UTV University will be presented by OPE’s sister publication, Powersports Business magazine, so don’t be surprised to see me assisting with its production.

And if you miss seeing me at UTV University, please be sure to stop by OPE’s booth 10215 to pay me a visit. I’m looking forward to renewing old acquaintances and making new ones at the show!

SteveNoe1_01-02-14-web
OPE Senior Editor Steve Noe
snoe@epgmediallc.com

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