GIE+EXPO Report: The worst is behind us
I’m getting ready to head over to the Kentucky Exposition Center for the final day’s events at the 2009 GIE+EXPO. It’s been an interesting show. Attendance has been surprisingly solid. Most exhibitors said that, while perhaps the number of total attendees was down a bit from past years, the number of “decision makers” attending the show was very strong. In other words, owners of equipment dealerships and landscape companies attended the show, but didn’t bring as many of their employees along as normal. That makes sense, because these days it’s been all about doing more with less.
I was thrilled with the level of enthusiasm and optimism from both dealers, contractors and green industry suppliers. Many commercial equipment manufacturers said they are encouraged by dealer intentions with respect to inventory plans in 2010. That means dealers are feeling better about where their commercial customers are at the end of this challenging year. Next year will be a step forward for the industry, how long a step is still anyone’s guess.
But commercial equipment manufacturers are meeting the challenge as contractors creep closer to unleashing some of their pent-up demand. I was impressed by the number of new products introduced at this year’s show. As contractors and dealers begin their paths forward out of this recession, there are a variety of tools, products and services at every turn to help them prosper.
Keep an eye on www.greenindustrypros.com for new Equipment Guide listings and videos of new product introductions at GIE+EXPO as we continue to post new information over the course of the next couple weeks.
~ Gregg Wartgow, Yard & Garden and PRO editor-in-chief
November 10th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I was disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm from most of the manufacturers reps. Displays were smaller and poorly staffed. Where were the concession stands? If you want to get dealers excited about your products, get excited yourself! Go back to separate shows! I don’t like talking about prices and practices with landscapers standing next to me. Are the landscapers customers there to see how much it cost them to do business…or buy direct from the manufacturers?
November 11th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
I agree. While the industry has changed and consolidated, making it pretty cost-ineffective for most manufacturers to exhibit at two separate shows each year, I still think they could make the GIE+EXPO mega-event work.
How about a TR-SAT format like they’ve been doing. Make Thursday a landscaper show floor day and run all the dealer education. Then vice versa on Friday. Saturday is a free for all since it’s typically pretty dead anyway.
I also challenge dealers to start showing up again. If dealers want the respect they (and I) feel they deserve, they have to participate in the industry and have their voice heard. That will not happen unless they show up at GIE — in numbers!!