Upfront: OPE industry makes impressive showing at GIE+EXPO 2013
By Steve Noe
If the buzz generated at the 2013 Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) — which took place Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 25, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. — is a sign of things to come, the outdoor power equipment industry is poised for a prosperous 2014.
Fueled by a 6-percent registration increase, more than 18,000 people attended the show. According to show officials, GIE+EXPO enjoyed the following across-the-board attendance increases: 6 percent for dealers, 6 percent for lawn and landscape professionals, and 6-percent overall. The 19-acre outdoor demonstration area also increased in size to approximately 100 booths.
“The show’s up,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the show-sponsoring Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), during a day-two morning press conference. “We’re using every square inch of floor space. We’re bursting at the seams.”
He wasn’t kidding. If you include Hardscape North America (HNA), which co-located with GIE+EXPO once again, there were a total of 637 indoor exhibits. (Incidentally, HNA announced during the show that it signed a two-year extension to co-locate with GIE+EXPO through 2016.)
I have nothing but high praise for this year’s show. For starters, I’m a big fan of the current format with the first day designated as “Dealer Day,” allowing only dealers, distributors, retailers and media to attend, and the last two days of the show being open to everyone. “Dealer Day” allows you to enjoy several educational opportunities, as well as spend quality time to meet one on one, face to face, with exhibitors without having to compete with everyone else for their time and attention. You also don’t have to worry about your customers looking over your shoulder and eavesdropping on your conversations with exhibitors. I’ve asked several exhibitors about their thoughts on “Dealer Day,” and they enjoy it too, which was very evident with many of them hosting fun-filled activities in their booths. I also like the switch from holding the show Thursday-Saturday to Wednesday-Friday, allowing everyone to network during the week and return home in time to enjoy their entire weekend.
As for the exhibitors, I was extremely impressed by how much they stepped up their games this year and brought some very innovative products and technology to the show. I’ve been attending Green Industry trade shows since 1997, including the Louisville trade show since 1998, and I can’t recall seeing a more impressive showing of products and technology in a single show than what was on display at this year’s GIE+EXPO. To get the inside scoop on the industry’s latest product and technology trends, please be sure to read my “GIE+EXPO 2013 Show Recap,” starting on page 19 in this issue, as well as check out the online version of the article, which will feature additional photos and details, at www.outdoorpowerequipment.com.
GIE+EXPO 2014 is scheduled to take place Wednesday, Oct. 22, for dealers, distributors, retailers and media and Thursday, Oct. 23, and Friday, Oct. 24, for everyone in the industry. The outdoor demo area will be open Thursday and Friday. Kiser said to look for an expanded technician certification program and increased opportunities for utility vehicle suppliers.
OPE Editor Steve Noe
snoe@specialtyim.com
