Equip Exposition, to be held Oct. 15-18, 2024, will undergo changes from past years, according to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns and manages the show.
Changes will include new exhibitor space, new entertainment options and more opportunities to connect and network.
“Only this year, we’re making some fundamental shifts and improvements that will elevate the show to the next level,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. "We’ve listened to our attendees, and are adding new experiences to give them more of what they want: Being with their peers, talking about business struggles and getting real answers. There’s no other place where landscapers, equipment manufacturers and dealers can come together to talk to each other, peer to peer, in such a supportive environment. Whether you need help with people, products or processes, the answers to your questions are at Expo.”
Features of the 2024 event will include:
- A Tuesday evening Welcome Reception at Churchill Downs, which is marking the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby this year, where attendees can see the recent upgrades to the racetrack. Sponsored by Caterpillar
- Kevin O’Connor from This Old House as keynote speaker Wednesday morning
- A special happy hour in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) starting just after the show closes on Wednesday. House band, the Crashers, will perform at the event
- A Thursday evening arena concert at the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville showcasing multiplatinum entertainer and musician, Trace Adkins, sponsored by SENIX
- Expanded Spanish-language education focused on helping crew leaders become better managers
- The return of the very successful and well-attended Women’s Reception on Thursday evening
- More opportunities to connect in-person with social media influencers at events like the Morning Show at Expo
- Improved logistics, including a shuttle bus drop-off at the West Wing which will improve parking lot congestion
Equip Expo provides a dynamic experience with more than one million square feet of exhibits and a sprawling 30-acre Outdoor Demo Yard. The 2023 show brought together more than 27,000 participants from all 50 states and 46 countries. Landscape contractor registrations increased by 20 percent over the previous year, and dealers were up five percent, marking an increasing interest in hands-on experiences that Equip Expo has championed for more than 40 years.
“We’re always in expansion mode. Due to space demand last year, we opened up the West Wing to exhibitors to great success,” said Kiser. “And, we’re going to improve the exhibitor experience there in 2024 by making the West Wing a much larger hub of activity, including putting our pet adoption event Mutt Madness and the main food offerings there, as well as the Drone Zone, a golf simulation and an attendee lounge.”
Additionally, the state of Kentucky, which owns the KEC, is planning a massive renovation to the facility in the coming years, which will expand its footprint and reorient the building.
“We’re looking forward to that project, as we continue to sell out our trade show floor,” Kiser said, adding that West Wing exhibitors will be first in line for space when the new wing of the KEC is built on that side of the building.
"We believe it’s important to reward existing exhibitors; they will take priority when the KEC expands," Kiser said. "Demand for exhibit space doesn’t slow down. We already have more than 80 companies on the waiting list. Anyone interested in exhibit space or sponsorships should jump on it immediately.”
Registration for the 2024 show is now open. Tickets to the 2024 Equip Exposition are currently at $25 per person, but prices will increase April 1.
