GIE+EXPO 2013 Special Preview
By Steve Noe
Louisville is home to the Kentucky Derby, a race known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” The city will also serve as host to the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) for three exciting days Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 25, at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
And outdoor power equipment dealers and their employees should come prepared to hit the ground running like thoroughbreds for what is shaping up to be a great show.
“This year’s show is a must-attend event for dealers who are looking to move their stores to the next level,” said GIE+EXPO Director Warren Sellers. “Dealers want their own day, and we are giving it to them! We based the 2013 program on what dealers and their exhibitors asked for.”
Win a free Kindle Fire
In the spirit of that other “Fall Classic,” known as the World Series, taking place during GIE+EXPO, Green Media — publisher of Outdoor Power Equipment, Landscape and Irrigation, SportsTurf and Arbor Age — will be giving away a free Kindle Fire through its “Touching Base” promotion.
The “Touching Base” promotion — to be held from Wednesday, Oct. 23, until noon on Friday, Oct. 25 — will help attendees “touch base” with featured exhibitors. To participate, bring the game card attached to page 7 in September OPE with you to GIE+EXPO. While at the show, take the game card to each participating exhibitor’s booth and get it stamped (see game card for the official list of exhibitors and their corresponding booth numbers).
Once you’ve collected all of the exhibitors’ stamps, fill in your name and contact information on the bottom of the card, and return your completed card to the Green Media booth — #470 (only one completed game card per person will be accepted).
All completed game cards will be entered into the drawing to win the free Kindle Fire. The drawing will be held at noon on Oct. 25. Participants don’t need to be present at the drawing in order to win, but they must fully complete the contact information on the game card to be eligible to win.
This exciting promotion gives us and the featured exhibitors a chance to meet with you, and it gives you a chance to swing for the fences by entering to win a handy tech toy.
Yes, back by popular demand will be Dealer Day on October 23. On that day, dealers — along with retailers, distributors and media — will be treated to an exclusive preview of the show. The Dealer Resource Pavilion will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the indoor exhibits from 3 to 7 p.m. From noon until 3 p.m., an inaugural Dealer Summit will take place, giving dealers the opportunity to learn strategies to reach top contractors, as well as a chance to listen to manufacturers express their views on several hot topics. Those topics will include how dealers fit into their futures, online sales, compatibility of electronic communications and billing systems, and the challenges of E15. This lunch-and-learn session will cost $50 per person. Also on Dealer Day, a welcome reception will take place on the show floor from 5 to 7 p.m., with many exhibitors hosting fun-filled festivities in their booths, including a $5,000 giveaway sponsored by Stihl Inc. A free beer and hot dog reception, sponsored by ARI and Husqvarna, will take place in the Dealer Resource Pavilion.Speaking of the Dealer Resource Pavilion, it will also be the place for dealership owners and managers to go for free educational seminars conducted by Bob Clements International (BCI). In the pavilion’s showroom and parts and service department, Bob and his BCI team will share tips on how to improve sales, parts profits and service efficiencies for dealerships of all sizes.
Service technicians will have the opportunity to receive hands-on training and certification in the Kentucky Exposition Center’s East Hall on Dealer Day. Offered through the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) and the Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC), the training is approved for NAEDA’s Power Pro accreditation program and EETC Continuing Education Units. Each class costs $30-$45.
On Thursday, Stihl Inc. and Gravely will sponsor a Dealer Resource Roundtable Breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Cost is $25, which covers breakfast, discussions on a variety of management topics, and great best-practice advice. On “Fabulous Friday,” a $10,000 giveaway will take place with drawings of $1,000 at 1 p.m.; $2,000 at 2 p.m.; $3,000 at 3 p.m.; and $4,000 at 4 p.m.
When the show ends each day, the fun will continue in downtown Louisville at 4th Street Live, where you can catch free concerts on the Nissan Commercial stage. This year’s performers will include Aly’An opening for country music star Craig Morgan, starting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; “The Voice” singer Angie Johnson opening for legendary rock band Three Dog Night, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday; and Simon Pure opening for Holly Williams, starting at 8 p.m. on Friday.
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 more details about the show’s events, see the schedule that follows. For information and online registration for the trade show, visit www.gie-expo.com. Other contact points: Facebook, info@GIE-EXPO.com and (800) 558-8767/(812) 949-9200. And, as always, be sure to visit OPE’s website at www.outdoorpowerequipment.com for the latest show news.
GIE+EXPO 2013 DAILY SCHEDULE
The 2013 Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) will be held Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 25, in Louisville, Ky., which is on Eastern Daylight Saving Time. All events will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center unless otherwise indicated. Following is the show’s schedule (as of August 9), but it is subject to change.
Note: Pre-registration and/or additional fees are required for events with an asterisk.
Aly’An
Craig Morgan
Three Dog Night
Angie Johnson
Simon Pure
Holly WilliamsWEDNESDAY, OCT. 23
Open to dealers, distributors, retailers, rental dealers and media only
8:30 – 11 a.m.
*Tech Training – Advanced Electrical Diagnostics. East Hall
8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
*EETC Certification Testing
9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Dealer Resource Pavilion open.
8:30 – 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. – noon, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
*Tech Training – Basics in Diagnosing Hydraulic Systems
*Tech Training – Basics in Diesel Engine Diagnostics
East Hall
11 a.m. – noon
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “Take on the Box Stores, the Economy and Internet Sellers … and WIN!” Dealer Resource Pavilion
Noon – 3 p.m.
*Dealer/Distributor Summit
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
*Tech Training – Advanced Two-Stroke Engine Diagnostics. East Hall
1 – 3 p.m.
*Rental Class – “Learn. Play. Win!”
2 – 3 p.m.
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “Find and Hire the Right People for Your Dealership.” Dealer Resource Pavilion
3 – 7 p.m.
Indoor exhibits open for dealers, distributors, retailers, media.
5 – 7 p.m.
Welcome reception on the exhibit floor for dealers, retailers, distributors, rental dealers and media. $5,000 giveaway at 6:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Free Concert for all industry participants – 4th Street Live! Aly’An opening for country music star Craig Morgan on the Nissan Commercial stage.
THURSDAY, OCT. 24
Open to all industry participants
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Indoor exhibits & Outdoor Demonstration Area open.
7:30 – 9:15 a.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – Brain Food for Breakfast. “Common Problems, Simple Solutions.” Conference Center
8 – 9:30 a.m.
*Dealer Resource Roundtable Breakfast
10 – 11:30 a.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – Hardscape Workshop 1: “Adding Hardscape Installation to your Company’s Success.” Conference Center
11 a.m. – noon
*Hardscape Demonstration 1: “Essential Hardscape Tools.” HNA Outdoor Arena
11 a.m. – noon
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “Improve Your Margins Without Losing your Customers.” Dealer Resource Pavilion
1 – 2 p.m.
*Hardscape Demonstration 2: “Base Construction for Interlocking Concrete Pavement Systems.” HNA Outdoor Arena
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – PLANET Session A: “Understanding Your Sales Process: Is it all about YOU or all about the CLIENT?” Conference Center
2 – 3 p.m.
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “How to Maximize your Advertising Dollars.” Dealer Resource Pavilion
3 – 4 p.m.
*Hardscape Demonstration 3: “Construction of Fire Features for Outdoor Living Areas.” HNA Outdoor Arena
3 – 4:15 p.m.
*GIE+EXPO Expo Workshop – PLANET Session B: “Ten Ways Significant Money is Slipping Out Your Back Door and You Don’t Even Realize It!” Conference Center
7:30 p.m.
Free Concert for all industry participants – 4th Street Live! Angie Johnson opening for Three Dog Night on the Nissan Commercial stage.
FRIDAY, OCT. 25
Open to all industry participants
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Indoor exhibits open
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Outdoor Demonstration Area open
7:30 – 9:15 a.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – Brain Food for Breakfast. “Calculating Your Equipment’s Owning and Operating Costs.” Conference Center
10 – 11:30 a.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – Hardscape Workshop 2: “Production Management and Crew Motivation on the Hardscape Jobsite.” Conference Center
11 a.m. – noon
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “Change the Experience and Improve Your Profits.” Dealer Resource Pavilion
11 a.m. – noon
*Hardscape Demonstration 4: “Building Raised Patios, Steps and Seat Walls.” HNA Outdoor Arena
1 p.m.
$1,000 giveaway
1 – 2 p.m.
*Hardscape Demonstration 5: “Adding Water Features to Hardscapes.” HNA Outdoor Arena
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – PLANET Session C: “Why Not You? Five Strategic Actions You Can Take Now To Grow.” Conference Center
2 p.m.
$2,000 giveaway
2 p.m.
Dealers’ Choice Awards. Dealer Resource Pavilion
2 – 3 p.m.
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “How to Handle Objections and Close More Sales.” Dealer Resource Pavilion
3 p.m.
$3,000 giveaway
3 – 4 p.m.
*Hardscape Demonstration 6: “Paver Maintenance and Restoration.” HNA Outdoor Arena
3 – 4:15 p.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – PLANET Session D: “How to Build a Marketing Plan that Grows with your Lawn Care Business.” Conference Center
4 p.m.
$4,000 giveaway
8 p.m.
Free Concert for all industry participants – 4th St. Live! Simon Pure opening for Holly Williams on the Nissan Commercial stage.
Win a free Kindle Fire
In the spirit of that other “Fall Classic,” known as the World Series, taking place during GIE+EXPO, Green Media — publisher of Outdoor Power Equipment, Landscape and Irrigation, SportsTurf and Arbor Age — will be giving away a free Kindle Fire through its “Touching Base” promotion.
The “Touching Base” promotion — to be held from Wednesday, Oct. 23, until noon on Friday, Oct. 25 — will help attendees “touch base” with featured exhibitors. To participate, bring the game card attached to page 7 in this issue with you to GIE+EXPO. While at the show, take the game card to each participating exhibitor’s booth and get it stamped (see game card for the official list of exhibitors and their corresponding booth numbers).
Once you’ve collected all of the exhibitors’ stamps, fill in your name and contact information on the bottom of the card, and return your completed card to the Green Media booth — #470 (only one completed game card per person will be accepted).
All completed game cards will be entered into the drawing to win the free Kindle Fire. The drawing will be held at noon on Oct. 25. Participants don’t need to be present at the drawing in order to win, but they must fully complete the contact information on the game card to be eligible to win.
This exciting promotion gives us and the featured exhibitors a chance to meet with you, and it gives you a chance to swing for the fences by entering to win a handy tech toy.
