Registration open for GIE+EXPO, Hardscape North America

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Updated Aug 18, 2017

Gie Expo LogoRegistration for the GIE+EXPO is open, and the Louisville Housing Bureau doesn’t want you to miss out on booking your hotel.  The annual trade show is set for Oct. 18-20 and will take place in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Kentucky Exposition Center. To register online, click here.

“This year’s show is a must-attend event for industry members who are looking to move their businesses to the next level,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). “The opportunity to see new products, network with colleagues and benefit from educational opportunities makes it an extremely valuable business investment for exhibitors and attendees alike.”

Admission to both the indoors and outdoor hardscape exhibits is included with the GIE+EXPO registration. The organization says that having this co-location gives the landscaping professionals the opportunity to see new products and explore ways to tap into the growing hardscape market. A $50 upgrade will also give landscape pros access to live hardscape demos in the Hardscape North America (HNA) Demo Arena tent.

The GIE+EXPO Workshops are scheduled to feature 10 sessions that will help landscapers grow their businesses. The lineup this year will feature two hardscape sessions with insights and tips for contractors who want to delve into that market. Other workshops that will be sponsored by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) are on topics such as marketing strategies, training your staff for a safe, competent and effective workforce,  hiring and retaining top-notch employees and sustainable winter management. A complete schedule can be found on the GIE+EXPO website under the tab Education.

Dealer Day will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 18 and all other industry participants are welcomed to the expo on Oct. 19-20. This annual event is sponsored by OPEI, NALP and the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS). HNA is sponsored by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI).

Currently the registration fee is $15, and when you book your hotel through the Louisville Housing Bureau, you will be automatically entered to will a travel prize package.

Hardscape North America 

Hardscape North America’s (HNA) annual industry trade show will take place this year in Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 18-20 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. HNA will be located in the East Wing of the center.

logo for HNAThe early registration fee is $15, which includes access to over 900 indoor exhibits, on-the-floor contractor briefings, the 20-acre Outdoor Demonstration Area and admission to the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO). Those who register early will also have the opportunity to attend the HNA Hardscape Project Awards Presentation and see the HNA Installer Championships.

For those interested in paying an additional upgrade fee of $50, they will be able to attend the six continuous, live build demonstrations in the HNA Outdoor Arena, which will be led by Bill Gardocki and his team from the University of New Hampshire.

Demonstrations for this year will include sessions on Installation of Base Material and Pavers for Interlocking Pavements and Go Pro Time-Lapse for Construction Jobs, Outdoor Kitchens and Hardscape Lighting. NCMA and Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) continuing education (CE) pre-show installer courses will be offered on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 17 and 18 at the Hyatt Hotel. One CE credit for ICPI Certified Installers will be offered for each demonstration.

The deadline for early registration is Sept. 7, and all registrations can be completed online. Registration is allowed after this deadline, or you can register at the show for additional fees.

There will be eight conference sessions covering a range of industry topics. A few notable presenters are first-time conference presenter David Murray discussing “OSHA’s New Crystalline Silica Regulation,” first-time conference presenter Todd Bairstow discussing “Emerging Online Lead Generation Trends for Residential Hardscape Business” and George Hedley discussing “Estimate Accurate Job Costs to Always Make a Profit” and “Strategies to Win More Profitable Contracts and Overcome the Low Bid Process.”

Contractor briefings will also take place on the trade show floor. These 20-minute briefings will cover topics including “Five Ways to Future Proof Your Hardscape Business,” presented by Frank Bourque, and “ICPI Installer Certification, Advanced Designations and Their Value,” presented by Charles McGrath, ICPI Executive Director.

The HNA Dealer Day, sponsored by Belgard and Pavestone, will take place on Wednesday and will feature ways to grow your business by analytically and creatively thinking. Leading economist Alan Beaulieu will give the concluding keynote address. His presentation will give a snapshot of today’s society, where it’s going and how trends will affect your business.

For the fifth year, the Hardscape North America Installer Championships will be held. Twenty-four teams of hardscape contractors, including the seven winners from the regional championships, will compete against each other over the course of two days. The winning team will win a prize package that is valued at approximately $10,000.

On Thursday, the NHA Hardscape Awards Presentation will take place at the Trade Show Floor Classroom. Contractors in commercial and residential applications will be presented awards for outstanding hardscape projects.

Along with work, HNA also offers three free nights of concerts on the Mercedes Benz Vans stage at Fourth Street Live. Runaway June will open for Uncle Kracker on Wednesday, Alaska and Madi will open for The Crashers on Thursday and V-Groove will perform on Friday.

On flights to and from Louisville, HNA 2017 attendees can receive discounts on flights with Delta, United, American and Southwest Airlines.

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