Dealer education at Equip Exposition is moving into high gear in 2025. For the first time ever, a panel of Consumer Reports editors is coming to the trade show to talk about what’s driving consumer sentiment when it comes to buying outdoor power equipment.
Being held at the Kentucky Exposition Center October 21-24, 2025, the award-winning 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 Kris Kiser, president & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns Equip Exposition. “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.
“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.
