Upfront: New things to be seen at GIE+EXPO 2014
By Steve Noe
When I preview the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) each year, I often reserve this space to write about the top reasons to go to the show. However, I’d like to take a different approach this year and highlight a few of the many new things to look for at GIE+EXPO 2014, which will be held Wednesday, Oct. 22 (Dealer Day), through Friday, Oct. 24, at Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center.
* Dealer Day keynote lunch: A keynote lunch, sponsored by Stihl Inc. and Gravely, will be held on Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. In a fast-paced, interactive and engaging presentation, Steve McClatchy, author of New York Times bestseller Decide: Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress & Lead by Example and president of Alleer Training & Consulting, will teach you how to stay motivated and perform at your personal best on a daily basis. Participants will learn how to focus on results and true drivers of performance, regain critical planning and personal time, and dramatically increase work/life engagement.
“Combining this luncheon with the opportunities available in the Dealer Resource Pavilion, 750 indoor exhibits and the Outdoor Demonstration Area, dealers will find a full lineup of profit-boosting opportunities at GIE+EXPO,” said Warren Sellers, show director.
* Increased utility vehicle presence: In addition to seeing utility vehicles (UTVs) inside the Kentucky Exposition Center, attendees will be given the chance to test-drive UTVs on test tracks in the 19-acre Outdoor Demonstration Area. Returning to GIE+EXPO for a second straight year, Polaris has increased its outdoor booth space by more than 400 percent to accommodate 16,000 square feet of demo track, where attendees can test-drive its BRUTUS, GEM and RANGER Work UTV lines, as well as test out its purpose-built, hydraulic and PTO attachments for the BRUTUS line. Ariens/Gravely is also adding a demo track to its Outdoor Demonstration Area exhibit.
“UTVs have had a presence at GIE+EXPO for years, but this year, exhibitors are really stepping it up and putting the spotlight on them,” said Sellers. “We expect the demo tracks to add a lot of synergy to the outdoor area. If you’re in the market for a utility vehicle, this is the year to attend.”
GIE+EXPO attendees will also have the chance to enter the Polaris Work UTV Giveaway, with one winner having the option to select a Polaris BRUTUS, GEM or RANGER Work UTV. All attendees will receive an entry with their show badge. Simply complete the entry and drop it off at the Polaris indoor booth (#7212) by show’s end, and you will be eligible to win.
* Dealer Summit expansion: The Dealer Summit will expand from two to three sessions. Thursday and Friday mornings will begin with panel discussions that include a light breakfast. Both are sponsored by the North American Equipment Dealers Association, with each taking place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday’s session will feature manufacturers, who will address questions and issues important to dealers. It will be followed by a presentation of new research about landscapers’ buying and attitude trends. Friday’s session will focus on dealer best practices.
For more information and online registration for GIE+EXPO, the Dealer Day keynote lunch and the Dealer Summit sessions, visit www.gie-expo.com.
Speaking of new… We have also redesigned OPE, beginning with this issue, which is fitting because it is the 55th year anniversary of the magazine Bill Quinn founded as Lawn Equipment Journal in September 1959 and renamed Outdoor Power Equipment in September 1969.
Please let us know what you think of our new look by dropping me an e-mail at snoe@specialtyim.com or posting a comment on our Facebook page at GreenMediaMags. Hope to not only hear from you about the redesign, but I also hope to see you at GIE+EXPO next month.
OPE Editor Steve Noe
snoe@specialtyim.com
