Savannah Bananas Founder Jesse Cole to keynote Equip Expo

Savannah Bananas Founder Jesse Cole, a well-known entrepreneur known for his banana-yellow suit and brilliant marketing ideas, will serve as keynote speaker for the 2025 Equip Expo in Louisville, Kentucky.

In the keynote address, sponsored by Kress, Cole will share what it takes to develop a great idea into a brand that people embrace and love. His boot-straps-to-success story will delve into marketing brands and how to keep creativity flowing.

In addition to Cole’s keynote address, Equip Expo 2025 will feature a welcome reception at Churchill Downs, sponsored by Caterpillar, where a new signature bourbon will debut this year; two concerts; a women’s leadership reception, sponsored by Belgard, Hunter Industries and SiteOne; and more peer-to-peer activities. Country stars Big & Rich and solo country artist Gretchen Wilson will perform an exclusive concert for show attendees at the Kentucky International Convention Center Thursday night of the show. The concert is included with the registration to Equip Exposition.

“We offer a number of social opportunities at Equip but they’re created with purpose,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the international trade association that owns and manages the show. “Unlike any other time of year, peers can talk with one another, get to know each other, at the show. It’s especially a great opportunity for team building.”

With more than 1.2 million square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibit space, Equip Exposition offers a 30-acre Outdoor Demo Yard, networking events, education and technical training in English and Spanish, and much more.

Registration is $25 through May 31, 2025 at https://www.equipexposition.com/