The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) has moved into high gear for dealer education for Equip Exposition 2025. For the first time ever, a panel of Consumer Reports editors is planning to talk about what’s driving consumer sentiment when it comes to buying outdoor power equipment. Equip Exposition is scheduled for October 21-24, located at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC).
The event has also announced that as of mid-June 2025, the 1.2 million square feet of available exhibit space at the KEC has been sold out, including the Outdoor Demo Yard. In 2024, the trade show sold its last booth in August and in 2023, the last slot was sold in early October.
Kiser noted that due to high demand to participate in the show, over the past year the Equip staff worked with KEC officials to re-imagine space and even opened up Freedom Hall to exhibit sales for the first time. Equip also moved and expanded the UTV Test Track to deliver an even better experience for attendees in 2025.
“People are excited to be here and part of this dynamic industry. We have more than 1,100 exhibits. This is the place where innovators roll out new products and talk about where this industry is headed. It’s where landscape contractors try out new equipment and meet the people who design and make it,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
Sessions
The trade show will also include sessions led by The Farnsworth Group, which will discuss macro-economic trends and how they impact the outdoor power equipment industry. Dealers can also learn what’s driving purchases by homeowners from the consumer data shared by The Farnsworth Group in its sessions.
“We want to help dealers understand how to connect with new customers and better manage their dealerships for profit,” says Kiser. “The entire trade show is a learning environment where dealers can see the latest equipment and technology, learn how to manage their businesses better, and talk to dealers from throughout the country.”
Dealer education seminars at the trade show aim to help dealers boost sales and profitability, improve team management, retention and recruitment, and apply technology to better streamline operations and improve efficiency. Additional trainers for dealer education sessions this year include Bob Clements International, the Equipment Engine & Training Council, and the North American Equipment Dealers Association.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
“I think all of the dealers should participate in this event. The elite ones and the ones that are smart do,” says Tony Rudolph, of Tony’s Lawn Care Talk podcast. He noted that many landscapers try new equipment at Equip and then call outdoor power equipment dealers at home to be sure they can get it first.
Equip Exposition boasts more than a million square feet of exhibit space and a 30-acre Outdoor Demo Yard. The show’s UTV Test Track expanded this year so attendees can try out more vehicles and enter to win a $15,000 UTV giveaway.
As one of the largest annual trade shows in the country, Equip Expo drew a record-breaking 28,500 attendees last year, who can navigate the mega show with the help of an app, sponsored by CASE Construction Equipment.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
There's Still Plenty of Tickets Left
There’s still plenty of tickets left for attendees, who can register for the early bird price of only $30 through September 4, 2025. Anyone who registers by July 31, 2025 will be entered to win a $5,000 shopping spree. Sign up at EquipExposition.com. Ticket prices go to $60 on September 5, 2025, and to $120 on October 20, 2025.
Equip Exposition drew a record-breaking 28,500 attendees last year from all 50 states and 50 countries and is one of the top five largest trade shows in the U.S.
To zero in on what you want to see at a mega show where the exhibit area spans square footage that is greater than 20 football fields, organizers recommend using the Equip Expo app, sponsored by CASE Construction Equipment, which helps attendees prioritize and navigate to their “must-see” exhibitors.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
“There’s something here that will make it worthwhile for you. You can find it,” said Bill Hooper, of Washington State University, who came to the Derby City for the event last year. “My primary reason for coming to Equip Exposition is to try out the equipment, to get my hands and feet dirty. It’s a great value and there’s tremendous opportunities.”
