Organizers for the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) are planning, preparing and gearing up for this year’s tradeshow scheduled for Oct. 22-24 in Louisville, Kentucky.
The event will feature an added focus on UTVs, expanded education program, and of course, hands-on demos, new products, networking, best practices and giveaways.
This year’s GIE+EXPO will feature some of the following highlights:
Ten GIE+EXPO Workshops include two sessions on hardscape business strategies and new tracks on snow & ice management and irrigation. Workshops topics include Outdoor Kitchen Design and Installation, Adopting Best Practices in Advance Snow Management and Financial Budgeting for the Land Care Company.
19 acres of Outdoor Demonstration Area
The 19-acre Outdoor Demonstration Area will allow attendees to inspect the engines, test the handling and experience the power of the industry’s newest products. The outdoor area is open all day Thursday and Friday and is where attendees can test drive the equipment they’ve seen on the indoor show floor. An Official Outdoor Must-See Exhibits Guide will be distributed prior to the show and on-site to help attendees navigate the demo park.
Attendees will see more UTVs than ever showcased and even a couple of UTV test tracks in the Outdoor Demo Area. Polaris and Ariens have increased their outdoor exhibit space to make room for demo tracks where attendees can test-drive utility vehicles.
Polaris Work UTV Giveaway
Attendees will also have the opportunity to enter the Polaris Work UTV Giveaway. One winner will have the option to select a Polaris Brutus, Gem or Ranger Work UTV. Each attendee will receive an entry with their show badge. To enter, they must drop off the completed entry at the Polaris indoor booth (7212) by the end of the show, Friday, Oct. 24.
Hardscape demos
The hardscape demonstrations offered under the HNA Outdoor Arena tent are designed to help landscapers add new services or improve their hardscape installation techniques. Attendees can upgrade their tradeshow admission for $25 to include the six demonstrations. Or sign up to attend one of the two hardscape sessions included in the GIE+EXPO Workshops for an automatic upgrade.
Hardscape North America Installer Championship
This year’s show marks the second annual Hardscape North America Installer Championship. Top hardscape contractors from throughout North America compete against each other to determine the best-of-the-best in the industry. Up to 24 teams will start the competition in a preliminary round, with only the best four moving on to the championship round on Friday afternoon.
Spanish-language seminars
Two free sessions presented in Spanish will be provided by the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance. They will be held on Thursday as part of PLANET’s Green Industry Conference. “Becoming a Leader in the Green Industry” will be 1:30 – 2:45 p.m., and “The Keys to Satisfied Long-Term Customers” will be 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. Registration for the tradeshow is required.
Free concerts
Three free concerts will rock the Nissan Commercial stage at Fourth Street Live!
- Montgomery Gentry, with openers Jeni Carr and Twangtown, Wednesday, Oct. 22
- The Crashers, Thursday, Oct. 23
- Olivia Henken, finalist on “The Voice”, Friday, Oct. 24
Fabulous friday
The $10,000 Friday Giveaway will start at 1 p.m. on Friday. Winners must be present to win $1,000 at 1 p.m., $2,000 at 2 p.m., $3,000 at 3 p.m. and $4,000 at 4 p.m. To be eligible, register for GIE+EXPO. An entry form will be mailed along with badges and will include instructions for returning it on-site.
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GIE+EXPO Schedule (Tentative as of 7/29) Wednesday, Oct. 23– Tradeshow open to dealers, distributors, retailers, rental dealers and media only. PLANET’s Green Industry Conference runs Oct. 23-25; PGMS’ School of Grounds Management runs Oct. 23-26 and HNA offers a variety of classes Oct. 22-25. 7:30 p.m.: Free Concert for all industry participants – Montgomery Gentry with openers Jeni Carr & Twangtown on the Nissan Commercial stage at 4th St. Live! Thursday, Oct. 24– Open to all industry participants 8 – 9:30 a.m.: GIE+EXPO Workshop – Hardscape Workshop. “Outdoor Kitchen Design and Installation” 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Indoor exhibits & Outdoor Demonstration Area open 10 – 11:30 a.m.: GIE+EXPO Workshop – Hardscape Workshop. “How to Survive and Prosper as a Hardscape Contractor” 11 a.m. – noon: Hardscape Demonstration 1. “Basic Concrete Paver Installation” 1 – 2 p.m.: Hardscape Demonstration 2. “Fire Pit and Outdoor Fireplace Construction, Safety and Design” 1 – 2:30 p.m.: GIE+EXPO Workshop – PLANET Workshop. “Financial Budgeting for the Land Care Company – What are your 2015 Goals?” 3 – 4 p.m.: Hardscape Demonstration 3. “Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement Construction” 3 – 4:30 p.m.: GIE+EXPO Workshop – PLANET Workshop. “Marketing that’s more than Lead Generation” 9 p.m.: Free Concert for all industry participants – The Crashers on the Nissan Commercial stage at 4th Street Live! Friday, October 24 – Open to all industry participants 8 – 9:30 a.m.: *GIE+EXPO Workshop – Snow & Ice Workshop. “Adopting Best Practices in Advanced Snow Management” 8 – 9:30 a.m.: GIE+EXPO Workshop – Irrigation Workshop. “Cycle and Soak: The Methods and Reasons” 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Outdoor Demonstration Area open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Indoor exhibits open 10 – 11:30 a.m.: GIE+EXPO Workshop – Snow & Ice Workshop. “Advanced Snow Management Focus: Equipment Capacity & Managing Expectations” 10 – 11:30 a.m.: GIE+EXPO Workshop – Irrigation Workshop. “Utilizing Drip (Micro) Irrigation” 11 a.m. – noon: Hardscape Demonstration 4. “Tools for Paver Installation Efficiency” 1 p.m.: $1,000 giveaway 1 – 2 p.m.: Hardscape Demonstration 5. “LED Lighting – Impress Your Clients and Increase Your Profits” 1 – 2:30 p.m.: GIE+EXPO Workshop – PLANET Workshop. “Business Essentials: Do the Right Things and Do Things Right” 2 p.m.: $2,000 giveaway 2 – 3 p.m.: Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “Turn Your Slow Season into a Profitable Part of Your Year” 3 p.m.: $3,000 giveaway 3 – 4 p.m.: Hardscape Demonstration 6. “Raised Paver Patios and Segmental Retaining Walls” 3 – 4:30 p.m.: GIE+EXPO Workshop – PLANET Workshop. “Controlling the Sales Beast. Sales Systems and Finding Peace” 4 p.m.: $4,000 giveaway 7:30 p.m.: Free concert at 4th St. Live! Opening act starts at 7:30 p.m. and Olivia Henken starts at 9 p.m. on the Nissan Commercial Stage |
