That rumblings about GIE+EXPO begin in mid-July is no surprise. The October trade show and conference is the landscaping industry’s largest by far. And it’s getting larger: Organizers announced Thursday an expansion of the outdoor demonstration area, noting that exhibition space there is nearly sold out.
Jacobsen President David Withers talks with reporters at last year’s GIE+EXPO.Photo: David Rountree
The event is set for Oct. 19-21 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. Hardscapes North America (HNA) is co-located with GIE+EXPO again this year. (For those who want to keep tabs, the show’s 2016 smart-phone app is due out in August.) The link to information and registration is here, or you can register for the show and all National Association of Landscape Professionals events here. NALP’s early registration rates are scheduled to expire Sept. 16.
Oct. 19 is “Dealer Day” and the show opens to all Oct. 20-21.
This year, HNA is moving its outdoor demonstrations to a paved area adjacent to the outdoor exhibition space, opening room on the turf for more exhibitors.
“The demo area is a favorite attraction among both contractors and dealers, and it’s a huge benefit for exhibitors to be able to demonstrate their equipment on natural turf,” said Warren Sellers, manager of the show. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer more space, and selling it out really speaks to the synergy that’s building around this year’s show.
“As we’ve said, we’re pulling out all the stops to make this the best GIE+EXPO yet.”
Last year’s show broke the record for attendance, approaching 20,000, according to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), the majority partner in GIE+EXPO.
The outdoor area is hands-on, with visitors encouraged to try out everything from hand-held and walk-behind equipment to ride-on mowers, light construction equipment and UTVs.
