Building on last year's record-breaking event, plans for an even bigger show are in the works for the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) 2019. Expanded show hours and new education opportunities, combined with strong exhibit sales, are early indicators that the national outdoor living and equipment expo is another for the record books. The industry's largest annual event is set for October 16 through 18 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
New Show Hours
The indoor show floor will open an hour earlier for dealers, retailers and the media on Wednesday, October 16. And both indoor exhibits and the 20-acre outdoor demonstration area will open earlier for the entire industry on Friday, October 18. The schedule includes:
Wednesday, October 16
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.—Indoor exhibits open for dealers, retailers and the media.
- 3 to 7 p.m.—Indoor exhibits open for the entire industry.
Thursday, October 17
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.—Indoor exhibits and the outdoor demonstration area open.
Friday, October 18
- 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.—Outdoor demonstration area open.
- 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.—Indoor exhibits open.
Expanded Education for Lawn and Landscape Pros
The GIE+EXPO Workshops for lawn and landscape professionals are expanding with two new opportunities on Wednesday, October 16. The Irrigation Association will host Secrets of a Successful Irrigation Business, a panel discussion featuring irrigation contractors, landscape professionals and manufacturers, while the National Association of Landscape Professionals will present a session on snow and ice management. These workshops will run simultaneously from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., immediately before the opening keynote.
"The Irrigation Association is excited to be a more formal participant in GIE+EXPO's education program this year," said Irrigation Association CEO Deborah Hamlin. "Someone said to me recently, 'There are probably more landscapers out there dabbling in irrigation than there are irrigation contractors.' Most landscapers come into contact with irrigation systems, whether they are responsible for them or not. We would like anyone touching an irrigation system to do it right. Water is a precious resource, and we can't be wasting it with broken or poorly maintained systems."
New Session on the Economy on Friday
A special event on Friday, October 18 will feature noted industry economist Brian Beaulieu. Beaulieu, the CEO of ITR Economics, will discuss the state of the economy and outdoor power equipment industry, and provide strategic action items that can directly impact attendees' businesses. This session, set for 9:30 a.m., is open to all attendees and included with trade show registration.
"GIE+ EXPO is the place to be if you're in this business and our new economy keynote session is another example of the type of business education that attendees can get here at the show," said Kris Kiser, managing partner of GIE+EXPO and OPEI president. "Brian is an expert in delivering econometric and industry data in a way that everyone can understand, and [the keynote] is designed to help attendees develop better business plans based on sound economics."
Exhibit Sales
According to show director Warren Sellers, the show posted its strongest ever sales week in January and overall sales are running well ahead of this time last year. The last week of January is typically a leading indicator for the size and scope of the October trade show, and based on current numbers, the 2019 event is expected to showcase more than 1,000 exhibitors.
GIE+EXPO is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) and National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).
For more information and online registration, please visit www.gie-expo.com.
