OPEI announces grand plans for 60th anniversary celebration to be held at annual meeting
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced Feb. 28 that it will commemorate its 60th anniversary at this year’s annual meeting to be held June 20-22 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Changes to the annual meeting agenda reflect OPEI’s increasing commitment to broader member participation and engagement. To attend the meeting or sponsor an event function, contact Marla Popkin at mpopkin@opei.org.
OPEI was also pleased to announce the addition of an Associate Member to OPEI’s board of directors. An Associate Member Recognition Luncheon has been scheduled in conjunction with the annual meeting.
“Adding an Associate Member to the OPEI Board recognizes their importance within our organization,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. “Associate members play an instrumental role in our success, and we want their engagement at this leadership level.”
Further, beginning in 2013, OPEI’s annual meeting will include the participation of all working committees (handheld, ground supported, market services, legal and other task groups), which will report progress and committee activities back to the attendees.
“OPEI’s strength is in its membership,” added Kiser. “That’s why we are committed to more fully engage members and harness our resources and expertise so that we can act quickly and effectively on behalf of the industry.”
Headlining this year’s meeting will be Nick Bilton, currently the lead technology writer/reporter for The New York Times’ Bits blog and a reporter for the daily paper. Bilton’s newest book, “I Live in the Future & Here’s How It Works,” examines how technology is shaping our brains and our lives. His presentation will focus on the future of technology trends, and how this evolution affects our day-to-day lives, both at home and at work.
About OPEI’s 60th anniversary
OPEI was founded in 1952 when 11 mower manufacturers chartered a national nonprofit trade association called The Lawn Mower Institute, changing its name to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute in 1960. Since then, OPEI has launched the industry’s first U.S. industry exposition in 1984, having since merged with the PLANET Green Industry Expo (GIE) and Hardscape North America to form the largest green industry show. In 2001, OPEI absorbed the membership of the Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association (PPEMA). After 60 years, OPEI has evolved to be the international voice for the industry, and represents the outdoor power equipment, small engine, generator and utility vehicles industries.
