GIE+EXPO 2013 Preview

The Green Industry's premiere event set to take place in Louisville, KY, October 23-25.

Gieexpo Show Floor 11140308

The Green Industry's premiere annual event, GIE+EXPO, is set to take place once again in Louisville, KY, October 23-25. Equipment dealers and landscape contractors will be able to see all of the latest products and equipment, participate in numerous educational and networking opportunities, and take in some free concerts at the popular 4th Street Live outdoor entertainment venue.

If you have yet to register for GIE+EXPO 2013, visit gie-expo.com.

Trade Show Highlights

The trade show will be open to everyone—including both dealers and contractors—from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Thursday (October 24) and Friday (October 25). Attendees can walk the roughly 500,000 square feet of floor space to see products and equipment from the hundreds of manufacturers that are exhibiting. The 19-acre outdoor demonstration area will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.

Below are some noteworthy exhibitors, in no particular order, that you might want to add to your must-see list.

Dosko Rebate on Wood Handlers. Dosko is offering a $150 rebate on their 200-6H stump grinder and 2000LS-H log splitter. The 200-6H is a unique unit with a fold-down handlebar. At just 134 pounds, it’s small enough to travel in an SUV or mini skid bucket. The 200-6H features Leonardi teeth that can be rotated in three 120° increments for a fresh cutting edge. The 2000LS-H is a horizontal log splitter with the ability to split in both the forward and reverse stroke. With a cycle time of just 7 seconds, it saves you time and money. Booth 10108.

Big News for Stihl Battery KombiSystem Line. Stihl launches its most powerful lithium-ion chainsaw to date, providing pros with another environmentally conscious option for big cutting tasks. Stihl says this new saw provides greater motor speed, cutting capacity and torque with no restricting power cords and zero exhaust emissions. Stihl is also launching an innovative, new battery that could be a game changer for the landscape industry, offering the battery-powered product runtimes pros have been asking for. Combined with the new and fastest charger in the Stihl line, professional users now have a viable alternative to gasoline-powered equipment, especially in noise and environmentally sensitive areas. Booth 5074.

Exmark Introducing Rear-Discharge Deck for Lazer Z S-Series. For 2014, Exmark will offer a rear-discharge deck option for its popular Lazer Z S-Series zero-turn riding mower. The new deck, available in 60- or 72-inch cutting widths, offers significant benefits including increased clipping control, reduced noise and the ability to trim on both sides of the deck. The counter-rotating blades and innovative baffle design provide uniform clipping discharge and a superior quality of cut with reduced noise, Exmark says. Reduced clipping over-processing helps the new deck easily handle tall grass with less required horsepower. The heavy-duty fabricated, welded steel deck construction features Exmark Series 6 spindles to provide years of commercial durability. Booth 7080.

Stop by Progressive’s Booth for the $50 Instant Win Giveaway. GIE+EXPO attendees will receive a flyer in their bag or at Progressive’s booth with a unique four-digit code. Enter your code along with your email address into the iPad at Progressive’s booth for a chance to win a $50 Home Depot Gift Card instantly. You can enter once per day, so if you’re attending all three days, you’ll have three chances to win. Booth 3005.

Grasshopper Enhances Fuel-Efficient Mower Line with New EFI Models. Coupling the latest engine technology with advanced drive and ergonomic systems, The Grasshopper Company has announced two new Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) zero-turn mowers that the company says will provide unparalleled performance and fuel economy. The MidMount Model 327 EFI and FrontMount Model 727T EFI are powered by enhanced second-generation, fuel-efficient 747cc Kohler Command Pro closed-loop EFI engines. Booth 9136

Honda Highlighting New General-Purpose Engine. Honda Engines says it will have representatives available to discuss the company’s continued technological advancements and environmental commitment. The Honda Engines team will showcase its complete range of engines models, including the latest advancements for its GX Commercial Series Engines and the recent introduction of the all-new GXR120 general-purpose engine, a model uniquely developed as an ideal source of power for rammers, which are used to compact soil or other granular material. Offered as a second power option to the GX100 engine, the new GXR120 engine has been designed to provide superb durability and reliability for heavy-duty applications. Booth 3118.

Pro-Lift Making First GIE+EXPO Appearance. Tenured automotive hydraulic lift manufacturer, SFA Companies, will be attending the GIE-EXPO officially for the first time this year. Since launching their newest line of hydraulically powered lawnmower lifts in late 2011, the company says they have rapidly been overtaking the outdoor power equipment market by storm. The newest product being launched this year at the show is an air-actuated professional-grade lift (T-5501). Now, instead of pumping (or cranking like the competition), you can raise up to 750 pounds in either front- or back-axle weight by letting air-powered hydraulics do all of the work. Booth 11198.

A New Manufacturer Gets Into the Zero-Turn Mower Business. There's not much we can talk about yet, as the Minnesota-based manufacturer of the brand new Altoz Precision Mowers wants to save the big unveiling for GIE+EXPO itself. But we'll soon find out if these new mowers have what it takes to put a dent in an already crowded product category. Using words like "superior" and "more sophisticated," the manufacturer is confident that they will. Booth 11086.

GE Capital Helps Entire Supply Chain. GE Capital says it isn't just a banker, it's a builder. The company provides the smart financing and know-how to help its customers' capital go further. GE Capital's Commercial Distribution Finance (CDF) business provides inventory and accounts receivable financing to more than 2,000 manufacturers/distributors and 33,000 dealers in North America. CDF’s market intelligence can help companies throughout the supply chain manage their businesses. Dealers that finance through CDF obtain access to unique online tools, including inventory management reports, industry data and benchmarking data. Booth 11108.

Check in with the Staff of Green Industry Pros Magazine. While walking the show floor at GIE+EXPO 2013, don't forget to stop by the Green Industry Pros booth. Meet the staff, share your story (maybe even on video), update your subscription, and grab a few extra copies of our latest issue. Equipment dealers can sign up for our free online dealer locator throughout the show, and can spend a few minutes chatting with renowned business trainer Bob Clements from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 24. Booth 4038.

Events for Equipment Dealers

For the second straight year, dealers will be granted early access to the show floor on Dealer Day—Wednesday, October 23 from 3 to 7 p.m. A reception will also be taking place from 5 to 7 p.m. on the show floor, as various manufacturers will be holding special events in their booths.

The Dealer Resource Pavilion will feature free seminars by esteemed dealership consultant and Green Industry Pros contributor Bob Clements. Topics will include sales, parts profits and service efficiencies. Dealerships of all shapes and sizes will benefit from Bob's lessons.

A new Dealer Summit will take place prior to the early show floor access. On October 23 from noon to 3 p.m., dealers will learn strategies to reach contractors, while also hearing from manufacturers on topics including online sales and ethanol E15.

Technician training and certification, offered through NAEDA and EETC, will be taking place at GIE+EXPO.

A Lunch & Learn for Rental Dealers will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on October 23. Two sessions are on tap: effective advertising for rental stores, and a Jeopardy-style game show where dealers can show off their knowledge of the equipment and rental industries.

Finally, the popular Dealer Resource Roundtable breakfast will take place on Thursday, October 24 from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Events for Landscape Contractors

PLANET's Green Industry Conference (GIC) will be running congruently to GIE+EXPO. This year's theme is "The Landscape is Changing." Dozens of educational sessions are designed to help prepare contractors to stay ahead of the looming growth curve the landscaping industry is expected to experience over the next several years. Additionally, breakfast roundtable and certification opportunities exist throughout the show. Visit landcarenetwork.org for more information.

The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) is also offering an educational program. The PGMS School of Grounds Management is revolving around the concept of "organic" this year, offering 11 educational programs and a facility tour to help expose attendees to different "organic" or "sustainable" groundskeeping practices. Visit pgms.org for more information.

Finally, Hardscape North America (HNA) is once again taking place alongside GIE+EXPO. Attendees can see new products and tools, test them out in the outdoor demo area, attend educational sessions, and compete in some installer competitions. Visit hardscapena.com for more information.

 

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