“Get switched on” at The Dealer Experience

 Chip Eichelberger

 Jeff Hebbard

 Fred Whyte

 Bill HarleyWith “Get Switched On” serving as the theme, “The Dealer Experience” will return to the Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) in 2009 and offer many benefits to dealerships of all sizes.

Sponsored by Stihl Inc. and the Ariens Company — with the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) and Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) serving as hosts — “The Dealer Experience” will coincide with GIE+EXPO 2009, which is set to take place Oct. 29-31 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

Features and benefits of “The Dealer Experience” will include:

Education (Oct. 29 and 30) that provides dealers step-by-step recommendations for profitability
Exclusive early-morning entrance to the trade-show floor
A Dealer Club for relaxing, checking e-mail, enjoying refreshments, and networking
Dealer panelists from throughout the United States
A look inside the OPE industry with an informal discussion between Fred Whyte, president of Stihl Inc., and Bill Harley, president and CEO of OPEI
The keynote address will be delivered by Chip Eichelberger, who is one of the top motivators in the United States and an award-winning salesperson. He is also the author or co-author of numerous books, CDs and DVDs, including the new “Get Switched On — Re-evaluate Your Life and Get What You Want… NOW!” In the keynote address, Eichelberger will provide dealers with formulas for sales success and failure; a clear focus on prioritizing; a compelling vision of desired results, including gameplan execution, measurement and accountability; what is working and where improvement is needed; actions that can be taken immediately; the beliefs of dealers with the best sales process; and strategies for generating team momentum.

Jeff Hebbard, senior VP sales, marketing and product development for Ariens Company, will draw upon his more than 17 years of experience in lean processes with the Ariens Company to lead a session on “Working Smarter with Lean Tools.” During his session, Hebbard will provide an introduction to lean principles that will drive out waste and improve efficiency in your business. He will share his experiences using lean tools such as standard work, value stream mapping and 5 S.

The schedule for “The Dealer Experience” will be as follows:

THURSDAY, OCT. 29

8 a.m.-5 p.m. — The Dealer Club facilities open

8-9 a.m. — Exclusive access to trade show for dealers and retailers

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Session 1: Keynote address by Chip Eichelberger, followed by a dealer panel discussing best practices on sales and marketing

9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Trade show open

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Outdoor demo area open

6:30 p.m. — Free Briggs Bluesbusters concert sponsored by Briggs & Stratton at 4th Street Live!

8 p.m. — Free Eddie Money concert sponsored by Briggs & Stratton at 4th Street Live!
 

FRIDAY, OCT. 30

8 a.m.-5 p.m. — The Dealer Club facilities open

8-9 a.m. — Exclusive access to trade show for dealers and retailers

8:30-9:15 a.m. — Session 2: “Inside the OPE Industry,” Fred Whyte, president of Stihl Inc., and Bill Harley, president and CEO of OPEI

9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Trade show open

9:30-10:15 a.m. — Session 3: “Working Smarter with Lean Tools,” Jeff Hebbard, senior VP sales, marketing and product development, Ariens Company

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Outdoor demo area open

10:30 a.m.-Noon — Session 4: “Best Strategies on Business Planning for Increased Profitability”

7 p.m. — Free Grass Roots concert sponsored by Ariens, Gravely and Stens at 4th Street Live!

9 p.m. — Free 4th Street Live! Street Party, featuring the Blues Brothers Band, sponsored by Ariens, Gravely and Stens

SATURDAY, OCT. 31

8 a.m.-3 p.m. — The Dealer Club facilities open

8-9 a.m. — Exclusive access to trade show for dealers and retailers

9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. — Trade show open

Pre-registration for “The Dealer Experience” is required, but the sessions are free. Pre-registration for a three-day pass to the trade show is $10 per person. The trade show admission for those who wait to register onsite will be $50. To register online for the “The Dealer Experience” and the trade show, go to www.gie-expo.com. Additional details about the show are available at www.gie-expo.com or by calling Sellers Expositions at (800) 558-8767 or (812) 949-9200.