Upfront: Latest buzz on GIE+EXPO

By Steve Noe

As I prepare to embark on my annual pilgrimage to Louisville for the Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) Thursday, Oct. 29, through Saturday, Oct. 31, I wanted to share some late-breaking news, thoughts and tourist tips on the show.

• The Dealer Experience’s second session, which is slated for Oct. 30 from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., was originally supposed to be a look inside the OPE industry with an informal discussion between Fred Whyte, president of Stihl Inc., and Bill Harley, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. However, Dan Ariens, president of Ariens Company, recently announced that he will also be joining the conversation.

• Don’t forget to visit the new High-Performance Service Department, which will be spearheaded by OPE Contributing Writer Bob Clements, and learn how to increase your shop’s efficiency and profitability.

• Heard a rumor that Stihl Inc. is going to make a big announcement at the show. Stihl has called a press conference for the opening day at 12:30 p.m. at its indoor booth, so there could be some truth to that rumor.

• I also heard that Husqvarna will be introducing nearly 40 products at the show and has scheduled a press conference for the show’s first day at 11 a.m. at the New Products Arena.

• If you visit BOB-CAT’s outdoor demo booth (7506D) and test drive the new BOB-CAT Pro 61, you may enter a drawing to win a BOB-CAT Classic Pro gear-drive walk-behind mower.

• I’m looking forward to the Eddie Money concert at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at 4th Street Live, with the Briggs Bluesbusters opening at 6:30 p.m. On Oct. 30 at the same venue, The Grass Roots will kick off its concert at 7 p.m., followed by the Blues Brothers Revue at 9 p.m. All four concerts are free.

• If you are bringing the family to Louisville and have young kids who, like my daughters, are big fans of Disney’s Hannah Montana, you may want to take them to the Miley Cyrus concert at the Kentucky Exposition Center’s Freedom Hall Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. Unfortunately, that concert is not affiliated with GIE+EXPO, so tickets are not free. However, tickets were still available at press time.

• The Louisville Zoo will be holding “The World’s Largest Halloween Party” Oct. 28-30 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Kids 11 and under may trick or treat, but are asked to bring their own bags to help the zoo go green. For additional information and to purchase tickets for this family-oriented event, visit www.louisvillezoo.org.  

• The Titanic exhibit, featuring 150 authentic artifacts from the ship and an IMAX film “Ghosts of the Abyss,” is taking place at the Louisville Science Center, 727 W. Main St. For more information, including IMAX show times, visit www.louisvillescience.org.  

• Louisville Magazine readers recently voted Z’s Fusion (www.zsfusion.com) the best new restaurant in Louisville. It is located at the corner of 4th and Market streets in the former spot of Kunz’s. Other hot new dining spots include The White Oak at Artemesia Gallery (www.thewhiteoakrestaurant.com), 620 E. Market; Browning’s Brewery, (www.americascuisine.com/kentucky/louisville/brownings.aspx), 401 E. Main St., at the Louisville Slugger Field; and Theater Square Marketplace, 651 S. 4th St., near the Brown Hotel.

Pre-registration for a three-day pass to GIE+EXPO is $10 per person. For those who wait to register on-site, admission will be $50. To pre-register online through Oct. 27 or for more information, visit www.gie-expo.com or call Sellers Expositions at (800) 558-8767 or (812) 949-9200.

OPE Editor Steve Noe
snoe@m2media360.com