GIE+EXPO announces details on Dealer Resource Pavilion and education
Seminars, technician certification, Q&A feedback, networking and best-practice tips are among the many reasons dealers flock to the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. And, the 2014 event will be packed with learning opportunities.
GIE+EXPO’s 2014 dates are Wednesday, Oct. 22, through Friday, Oct. 24. Wednesday will be an exclusive preview day for dealers, retailers, distributors and media. The Dealer Resource Pavilion will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and indoor exhibits will be open 3-7 p.m. During a welcome reception on the show floor 5-7 p.m., many of the exhibitors will host games, food, festivities and prizes in their booths.
On Thursday and Friday, the trade show and the adjacent Outdoor Demonstration Area will be open to all in the industry.
Dealer Resource Pavilion & Free Management Classes
The Pavilion is the hub for dealers at this annual event. It is the location for free seminars for outdoor power equipment dealership owners and managers, led by dealership consultant Bob Clements. The pavilion features a showroom, along with a parts and service department, where Bob and his team will share their latest ideas and tips on how to turn slow seasons into profitable seasons, improve your bottom line in the parts and service departments, and more.
In addition, planning is in the works for Box Lunch Workshops on Wednesday. For $25, dealers will have the opportunity to choose between two topics, which will be announced soon.
For dealers looking to move your store to the next level, this year’s show is a must-attend event.
Free Management Classes by Bob Clements
Wednesday, October 22
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Dare to Be Different
Between the government, manufacturers, distributors and employees, dealerships today are finding it more and more difficult to reach the level of profitability they hope to achieve. If you are ready to take your dealership to the next level, then you owe it to yourself to join Bob Clements as he shares the keys to taking control of your dealership and taking back your life. Bob has mastered the art of empowering dealerships and their people to achieve higher levels of success. In this fun, insightful and motivational program, Bob will inspire you and your people to reach levels of performance you have only dreamed of achieving.
Thursday, October 23
11 a.m. – noon
Add Dollars to Your Bottom Line by Improving Your Service and Parts Departments’ KPIs
In today’s competitive marketplace, it is vital for owners to understand the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in their parts and service departments. Most owners and parts managers know basic numbers like gross profit and gross profit margin. But, tracking “fill rate out of stocking inventory,” “lost sales,” “transaction times” and “inventory days,” as well as “recover rate,” “tech efficiency” and “completion time” are critical to maximizing the profitability of the department. In this hands-on workshop, the Bob Clements team will share the formulas they use to determine KPIs and quick ways to add dollars to your bottom line by making simple improvements.
2 – 3 p.m.
Get Out of Your Financial Rut and Generate Instant Income
Every small business owner at some point in his or her life has been in a financial rut — payroll to meet, bills to pay, floor plan due, and not enough money to spread around. In this open forum, the Bob Clements team will share and discuss the six core principals they use to create instant income for dealerships to relieve the burden of low or no cash flow.
Friday, October 24
11 a.m. – noon
Radically Transform Your Dealership by Improving Your Absorption Rate
Achieving 100-percent absorption is the holy grail of dealerships outside the OPE industry. In this eye-opening workshop, Bob Clements and his team will share why it’s important to know your absorption rate, ways to improve it, and how absorbing at 100 percent will increase the value of your dealership and allow you to be profitable regardless of the weather or reduced margins on your wholegoods.
2 – 3 p.m.
Turn Your Slow Season into a Profitable Part of Your Year
As the season winds down, you can hear groans from dealers across the country as they wait for the slow season to begin. Every dealership has a point in its year when business slows, and the profits stacked up during the busy season start to slowly melt away. In this workshop, Bob Clements will share proven strategies dealerships across the country use to stop the bleeding and invigorate the slow season.
Tech Training & Certification
Tech training — priced $30-$45 for each class — will be in the Kentucky Exposition Center’s East Hall on Wednesday and are offered through the Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC).
Wednesday, October 22
7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Basic Tech Classes
Fuel Service Training, Carburetor Systems/Diagnostics 101, Electrical Basics 101, Propane Fuel Systems 101, Drivetrain Systems. Choose one at $30 each.
8 – 11 a.m.
Advanced Tech Classes
Two-Stroke Engine Failure Analysis, Four-Stroke Engine Failure Analysis, Compact Diesel Engine Failure Analysis. Choose one at $45 each.
10 a.m. – noon
Basic Tech Classes
Fuel Service Training, Carburetor Systems/Diagnostics 101, Electrical Basics 101, Propane Fuel Systems 101, Drivetrain Systems. Choose one at $30 each.
Noon – 3 p.m.
Advanced Tech Classes
Two-Stroke Engine Failure Analysis, Four-Stroke Engine Failure Analysis, Compact Diesel Engine Failure Analysis. Choose one at $45 each.
1 – 3 p.m.
Basic Tech Classes
Fuel Service Training, Carburetor Systems/Diagnostics 101, Electrical Basics 101, Propane Fuel Systems 101, Drivetrain Systems. Choose one at $30 each.
Dealer Summit
Back by popular demand, the Dealer Summit has been expanded to three sessions this year. Thursday and Friday mornings will begin with panel discussions that include a light breakfast. Both are sponsored by the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA). Thursday’s session will feature manufacturers, which will address questions and issues important to dealers’ future and profitability. It will be followed by a presentation of new research about landscapers’ buying and attitude trends. Friday morning’s focus will be on dealer best practices.
Thursday, October 23
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Dealer Summit Breakfast: The Crystal Ball Manufacturers’ Panel. $25
Back by popular demand, this will be a continuation of GIE+EXPO’s 2013 manufacturer partners’ panel discussion. If you missed it, you haven’t missed out completely and, if you were there, you will want to be on hand to learn more! Representatives from leading outdoor power equipment manufacturers will address your questions and discuss issues important to your future and your profitability.
10 – 10:55 a.m.
Dealer Summit Special Report: Contractor Buying and Attitude Trends. $15
Be among the first to see exciting new research about landscapers’ buying and attitude trends in this presentation from Lawn & Landscape editor Chuck Bowen. He’ll share exclusive research that will help dealers be more effective in reaching top landscape and lawn care contractors. Attendees will receive a full copy of Lawn & Landscape‘s State of the Industry report, which they can use to effectively target and market to their pro customers.
Friday, October 24
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Dealer Summit Breakfast: Dealer “Best Practices” Panel. $25
There is no question some of the most practical and useful information in running a business can come from your industry peers. Learn how top dealers are addressing issues related to sales, marketing, regulatory, employee benefits/compensation and other key areas of running a successful outdoor power equipment dealership.
For information and online registration for GIE+EXPO and the dealer education program, visit www.gie-expo.com. Other contact points: Facebook, info@GIE-EXPO.com and (800) 558-8767/(812) 949-9200.
GIE+EXPO 2014 Dealer/Retailer/Distributor Schedule
Wednesday, October 22 (Dealer Day)
7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Technician Training
9 a.m. – 7 p.m.: Dealer Resource Pavilion open.
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Free Management Class by Bob Clements — Dare to Be Different
1 – 3 p.m.: Dealer Day Box Lunch Workshops. Choose one of two. Topics to be announced.
3 – 7 p.m.: Indoor exhibits open to dealers, retailers, distributors, media only.
5 – 7 p.m.: Reception on the tradeshow floor for dealers, retailers, distributors, media and exhibitors
9 p.m.: Free concert at 4th St. Live! Montgomery Gentry on the Nissan Commercial Vehicles stage
Thursday, October 23
8 – 9:30 a.m.: Dealer Summit Breakfast — The Crystal Ball Manufacturers’ Panel
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Indoor exhibits and Outdoor Demonstration Area open to all attendees.
10 – 10:55 a.m.: Dealer Summit Special Report — Contractor Buying and Attitude Trends
11 a.m. – noon: Free Management Class by Bob Clements — Add Dollars to Your Bottom Line by Improving Your Service and Parts Departments’ KPIs
2 – 3 p.m.: Free Management Class by Bob Clements — Get Out of Your Financial Rut and Generate Instant Income
9 p.m.: Free concert at 4th St. Live! The Crashers on the Nissan Commercial Vehicles stage
Friday, October 24
8 – 9:30 a.m.: Dealer Summit Breakfast — Dealer “Best Practices” Panel
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Outdoor Demonstration Area open to all attendees.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Indoor exhibits open to all attendees.
11 a.m. – noon: Free Management Class by Bob Clements — Radically Transform Your Dealership by Improving Your Absorption Rate
1 p.m.: $1,000 giveaway
2 – 3 p.m.: Free Management Class by Bob Clements — Turn Your Slow Season into a Profitable Part of Your Year
2 p.m.: $2,000 giveaway
3 p.m.: $3,000 giveaway
4 p.m.: $4,000 giveaway
9 p.m.: Free concert at 4th St. Live! Olivia Henken on the Nissan Commercial Vehicles stage
