GIE+EXPO issues update on dealer attractions
The 2013 Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO), set to take place Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 25, at Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center, announced on April 16 an update on dealer attractions.
Seminars, technician certification, Q&A feedback, networking, best-practice tips are among the many reasons that dealers flock to GIE+EXPO’s exclusive Dealer Resource Pavilion. And, the presence of interested, engaged dealers is a draw for exhibitors who want to be involved.
Thus far, eight exhibitors have stepped up to have a presence in the Pavilion: ARI Network Services, the Engine Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC), Heftee Industries, Husqvarna, Ideal Computer Systems Inc., Lista International, the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA), and Stanley Vidmar.
The Pavilion is one of the key features at GIE+EXPO. It is the location for free seminars for outdoor power equipment dealership owners and managers, led by dealership consultant Bob Clements. This year, the pavilion will feature a showroom, along with a parts and service department, where Bob and his team will share their latest ideas and tips on how to improve sales, parts profits and service efficiencies regardless of the size of the dealership. Key points in each of the six classes throughout the three days of the show will be illustrated in the parts and service department.
Dealer Day
Wednesday will be an exclusive preview day for dealers, retailers, distributors and media. The Pavilion will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and the indoor exhibits will be open 3-7 p.m. During a welcome reception on the show floor from 5 to 7 p.m., many exhibitors will host games, food, festivities and prize drawings in their booths, including a $5,000 giveaway sponsored by Stihl Inc.
On Thursday and Friday, the trade show and the adjacent Outdoor Demonstration Area will be open to all in the industry.
Tech Training & Certification
Tech training — priced at $30-$45 for each class — will take place in the Kentucky Exposition Center’s East Hall on Wednesday. Offered through NAEDA and the EETC, the training is approved for NAEDA’s Power Pro program and EETC Continuing Education Units. No other venue offers hands-on tech training on two-stroke engines, electrical diagnostics and the basics of diagnosing hydraulic systems and diesel engines, all in one day. The training will focus on testing and repairing to help improve the quality of work, reduce comebacks, and improve technicians’ billable rates. EETC will offer discounted opportunities for certification testing.
Lunch & Learn for Rental Dealers
A session for rental dealers was introduced last year at GIE+EXPO and will be back by popular demand on Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. The $30 fee covers lunch and both of the following two sessions.
Part 1: “Effective Advertising for Rental Stores”
Newspaper? Other print? Radio? TV? Direct mail? Internet? Social Media? A panel of leading advertising and marketing personnel will share the information and tools that rental dealers need when planning a call-to-action campaign targeting a large, medium, small or very small audience. You already know that advertising is an investment and not just an expense, but feedback from the panelists will help you learn ways to optimize these investments to ensure the highest possible return.
Part 2: “You Think You Know” Game Show
This will be a lot of fun for participants and spectators. In the “Jeopardy” style format, all participants win and some will win very valuable prizes! If you think you know a lot about the companies and products of the rental industry, then you should sign up to play.
Dealer Resource Roundtable Breakfast
Stihl and Gravely will sponsor a Dealer Resource Roundtable Breakfast on Thursday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The $25 fee covers breakfast, discussions on a variety of management topics, and all the best-practice advice that dealers can absorb to take back for immediate implementation in their businesses.
Free Concerts
The free concert series is set to take place at 4th Street Live, the city’s popular downtown entertainment and dining venue. Wednesday night will feature country music star Craig Morgan; Thursday will be Three Dog Night and “The Voice” singer Angie Johnson; and on Friday night, Holly Williams and Olivia Henken will take the stage, which will be sponsored all three nights by Nissan Commercial Vehicles.
Registration
Now the ninth largest trade show in North America, GIE+EXPO is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc. (OPEI), Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) and Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). For information and online registration for the trade show, seminars and Dealer Resource Roundtable Breakfast, visit www.gie-expo.com. Other contact points: Facebook, info@GIE-EXPO.com and (800) 558-8767/(812) 949-9200.
GIE+EXPO Dealer/Retailer/Distributor Schedule (Tentative as of 4/15/13)
(Kentucky Expo Center, Eastern Daylight Saving Time)
Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 21-22
Meeting rooms available for exhibitors’ dealer meetings (Check with your suppliers.)
Wednesday, Oct. 23 – Dealer Day
Until 3 p.m.: Meeting rooms available for exhibitors’ dealer meetings
8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Technician training
8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.: EETC certification testing
9 a.m.-7 p.m.: Dealer Resource Pavilion open
11 a.m.-noon: Dealership owners’ and managers’ class, “Take on the Big Box Stores, the Economy and Internet Sellers…and WIN!”
1-3 p.m.: Lunch & Learn for Rental Dealers
2-3 p.m.: Dealership owners’ and managers’ class, “Find and Hire the Right People for Your Dealership”
3-7 p.m.: Exhibits open to dealers, retailers, distributors, media
5-7 p.m.: Reception for dealers, retailers, distributors, media, exhibitors
6:30 p.m.: $5,000 giveaway, sponsored by Stihl
9 p.m.: Free concert at 4th Street Live. Craig Morgan on the Nissan Commercial Stage
Thursday, Oct. 24
8-9:30 a.m.: Dealer Resource Roundtable Breakfast, sponsored by Gravely and Stihl
9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Indoor exhibits and Outdoor Demonstration Area open to all attendees
11 a.m.-noon: Dealership owners’ and managers’ class, “Improve Your Margins without Losing Your Customers”
2-3 p.m.: Dealership owners’ and managers’ class, “How to Maximize Your Advertising Dollars”
7:30 p.m.: Free concert at 4th Street Live. Three Dog Night with opener “The Voice” star Angie Johnson on the Nissan Commercial Stage
Friday, Oct. 25
9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Indoor exhibits open to all attendees
9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Outdoor Demonstration Area open to all attendees
11 a.m.-noon: Dealership owners’ and managers’ class, “Change the Experience and Improve Your Profits”
1 p.m.: $1,000 giveaway
2-3 p.m.: Dealership owners’ and managers’ class, “How to Handle Objections and Close More Sales”
2 p.m.: $2,000 giveaway
3 p.m.: $3,000 giveaway
4 p.m.: $4,000 giveaway
8 p.m.: Free concert at 4th Street Live. Holly Williams with opener and local favorite Olivia Henken on the Nissan Commercial Stage
