Upfront: Wish granted, presence requested
By Steve Noe
In the spring of 2009, shortly after the start of the “Great Recession,” the organizers of the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) asked me if I would be willing to come to Louisville, Ky., for a day to participate in a focus group to discuss, among other things, how to attract more dealers to the show.
Honored to be asked, and wanting a seat at the table to represent you, I accepted the invite, completed a pre-meeting survey, and headed off to Louisville not knowing what to expect. Prior to the meeting, I thought long and hard about what changes they could and would be willing to make, but felt it was very encouraging that they were willing to call the meeting and listen to what others had to say.
When I arrived for the meeting at The Galt House, I looked around the meeting room and was very impressed with the focus group’s mix of manufacturers, distributors, dealers, trade association representatives, and members of the media. Once everyone exchanged pleasantries, settled into their seats, and got down to the task at hand, we then broke into smaller focus groups. I recall my small group included at least two dealers and GIE+EXPO Show Director Warren Sellers, and I wondered how receptive he would be to our suggestions.
Well, I’m here to say that the dealers’ consensus number one request was to have a dealer-only day, where they could meet one on one with the exhibitors. Looking back at my notes from that meeting, I noticed that I jotted down that the dealers wanted “dealer-only time on the show floor.”
Evidently, Sellers and the attending representatives from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, which sponsors the show, got the message loud and clear. And much to their credit, they responded with the introduction of “Dealer Day” on the opening day of this year’s GIE+EXPO, which is set to take place at Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center on Wednesday, Oct. 24, through Friday, Oct. 26. Now that show organizers have broken from tradition and granted dealers their wish, I certainly hope that you will return the favor by showing up for “Dealer Day” on Oct. 24 and making your presence felt. The show’s organizers, sponsors and exhibitors have plenty of great things in store specifically for you on “Dealer Day.”
For the exciting details about “Dealer Day,” as well as the rest of the show, please read my “GIE+EXPO 2012 Special Preview,” starting on page 18 in this issue. Hope to see you at the show!
OPE Editor Steve Noe
snoe@m2media360.com
