Dawn of a new day for dealers at GIE+EXPO 2012

By Steve Noe

Outdoor power equipment dealers, retailers and distributors will receive VIP treatment from the moment they arrive at the 2012 Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) and Hardscape North America (HNA), set to be the epicenter of the Green Industry universe Wednesday, Oct. 24, through Friday, Oct. 26, at Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center.

Breaking from the traditional all-attendee-inclusive, three-day format, GIE+EXPO and HNA will open their doors exclusively to the aforementioned people on the first day, so they can have the opportunity to meet one on one with the nearly 750 indoor exhibitors and preview the products on display before everyone is welcomed to attend the final two days of the show. Show organizers have even designated Oct. 24 as “Dealer Day.”

On “Dealer Day,” the Dealer Resource Pavilion will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the indoor exhibits from 3 to 7 p.m. A welcome reception for dealers, retailers, distributors and exhibitors will take place on the show floor from 5 to 7 p.m. with a $5,000 giveaway sponsored by Stihl Inc. at 6:30 p.m. Following the welcome reception, the fun will continue in downtown Louisville — just a few blocks from The Galt House, the dealer headquarters hotel — with legendary band Kansas performing a free concert at 4th Street Live. The concert will begin at 9 p.m.

 Kansas

 The Trishas

 Eli Young Band

 Olivia Henken

 Candy CoburnAs you may have guessed, “Dealer Day” will also offer an abundance of educational opportunities. Dealers can provide their service technicians with Power Pro Certification training through three classes sponsored by the Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC) and the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA). The classes will cover “Basics in Electrical Diagnostics,” “Basics in Two-stroke Engine Diagnostics,” and “Basics in EFI Systems.” Each class will be offered three times on “Dealer Day” — 9-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and 1:30-3 p.m. — with all of them taking place in the East Hall. Cost for each class is only $30.

While service techs are busy attending the latter two training sessions that day, dealership owners and managers can head over to the Dealer Resource Pavilion to attend two free educational seminars geared specifically for them from 11 a.m. to noon and 2 to 3 p.m. The first seminar will be on “Keys to Improving Technician Efficiency,” and the second will cover “Pricing and Flat Rating Service Work.” Both seminars will be conducted by Bob Clements International (BCI).

For rental dealers, a two-part rental class will be held on “Dealer Day” from 1 to 3 p.m. Part 1 will cover “EPA-compliant Engines and Your Legal Obligations under the Clean Air Act,” and Part 2 will be on “E15 Fuels: A Huge Problem for the Rental Industry.” Cost of the rental class is $25, which includes lunch and a gift.

Although day one is considered “Dealer Day,” GIE+EXPO has plenty more in store for dealers on the second and third days. On both days, the indoor exhibits will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the 19-acre outdoor demonstration area will be open the same hours, with the exception of a 4 p.m. close on the final day of the show.

On day two, Stihl Inc. and Gravely will sponsor a Dealer Resource Roundtable Breakfast in the Kentucky Exposition Center’s North Wing lobby from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Cost of the roundtable breakfast is $25. Following the roundtable breakfast, dealership owners and managers are invited to attend two more free BCI seminars taking place once again at 11 a.m. to noon and 2 to 3 p.m. in the Dealer Resource Pavilion. The first seminar will cover “Strategies for Improving Parts Profitability,” and the second will be on “Branding and Marketing Your Business.” That evening, two free concerts, courtesy of Nissan Commercial Vehicles, will take place at 4th Street Live, with The Trishas opening at 7:30 for the Eli Young Band at 9.

On the third and final day of the show, “Fabulous Friday,” BCI will conduct two more free seminars for dealership owners and managers in the Dealer Resource Pavilion: “Developing a Successful Business Plan” from 11 a.m. to noon, as well as “Negotiating and Closing the Sale” from 2 to 3 p.m. You will want to stick around until the end of the show because $10,000 will be given away in the afternoon, with individual giveaways of $1,000, $2,000, $3,000 and $4,000 being held at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. And yes, you must be present to win; the winners will be announced over the PA system and told where to go to collect their winnings, so be sure to listen for your name at the specified times. After the show ends, you can head to 4th Street Live one more time to catch a free concert from Candy Coburn at 8 p.m.

“There seems to be tremendous anticipation and excitement surrounding the new elements of GIE+EXPO,” said Warren Sellers, show director. “‘Dealer Day’ gives one-on-one time for exhibitors and retailers. Dealers will be bringing technicians to participate in certification classes. New classes for rental dealers give that industry segment more reasons to attend. And, Fabulous Friday — including the $10,000 giveaway and a Friday night concert — means the action continues right up to the last minute.”

For a complete GIE+EXPO and HNA schedule, see below. For more information about GIE+EXPO and HNA and to register online, visit www.gie-expo.com. You may also contact Sellers Expositions by calling (800) 558-8767 or (812) 949-9200 or e-mailing info@gie-expo.com.

GIE+EXPO 2012 DAILY SCHEDULE

NOTE: The 2012 Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) will be held Wednesday, Oct. 24, through Friday, Oct. 26, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., which is on Eastern Time. All events will take place at the Kentucky Exposition Center unless otherwise indicated. Following is the show’s schedule (as of August 20), but it is subject to change:

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24
Open to dealers, distributors, retailers and media only

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Dealer Resource Pavilion open

9 – 10:30 a.m.
*Tech Training – Basics in Electrical Diagnostics
*Tech Training – Basics in Two-Stroke Engine Diagnostics
*Tech Training – Basics in EFI Systems
East Hall

9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
*HNA Distributor & Dealer Program

11 a.m. – noon
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “Keys to Improving Technician Efficiency.” Dealer Resource Pavilion

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
*Tech Training – Basics in Electrical Diagnostics
*Tech Training – Basics in Two-Stroke Engine Diagnostics
*Tech Training – Basics in EFI Systems
East Hall

Noon – 3:30 p.m.
*HNA Hardscape Contractor Executive Workshop

1 – 3 p.m.
*Rental Class, $25 price includes lunch.
Part 1 – EPA-compliant Engines & Your Legal Obligations under the Clean Air Act
Part 2 – E15 Fuels: A Huge Problem for the Rental Industry

1:30 – 3 p.m.
*Tech Training – Basics in Electrical Diagnostics
*Tech Training – Basics in Two-Stroke Engine Diagnostics
*Tech Training – Basics in EFI Systems
East Hall

2 – 3 p.m.
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “Pricing and Flat Rating Service Work.” Dealer Resource Pavilion

3 – 7 p.m.
Indoor exhibits open for dealers, distributors, retailers and media

5 – 7 p.m.
Welcome reception on the exhibit floor for dealers, retailers, distributors and media. 
$5,000 giveaway at 6:30 p.m.

9 p.m.
Free concert for all industry participants – Kansas, 4th Street Live!

THURSDAY, OCT. 25
Open to all industry participants
Indoor exhibits & Outdoor Demonstration Area open: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

8 – 9:30 a.m.
*Dealer Resource Roundtable Breakfast. Sponsored by Stihl and Gravely. Lobby, North Wing.

10 – 11:30 a.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – Workshop 1. “Production Management & Crew Motivation on the Hardscape Job Site”

11 a.m. – noon
*Hardscape Demonstration 1. “Setting the Stage for Your Hardscape Project.” HNA Outdoor Arena

11 a.m. – noon
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “Strategies for Improving Parts Profitability.” Dealer Resource Pavilion

1 – 2 p.m.
*Hardscape Demonstration 2. “Beyond Basic Paver Patterns.” HNA Outdoor Arena

1 – 2:30 p.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – Session A. “Can’t Measure It; Can’t Manage It”

1 – 2:30 p.m.
The Trishas’ autograph session, booth #7084

2 – 3 p.m.
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “Branding & Marketing Your Business.” Dealer Resource Pavilion

3 – 4 p.m.
*Hardscape Demonstration 3. “Tools to Go.” HNA Outdoor Arena

3 – 4:30 p.m.
*GIE+EXPO Expo Workshop – Session B. “Avoid Social Media Time-suck: 21 Practical Tips for Managing Your Time Online More Effectively”

7:30 p.m.
Free concert – Eli Young Band at 4th Street Live! (Opening act: The Trishas with Eli Young Band taking the stage at 9 p.m.). Sponsored by Nissan Commercial Vehicles

FRIDAY, OCT. 26
Open to all industry participants
Indoor exhibits open: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Outdoor Demonstration Area open: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

7 – 8:30 a.m.
*Hardscape North America 2012 Awards Breakfast. Hyatt Regency

10 – 11:30 a.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – Workshop 2. “Adding Hardscape Installation to Your Company’s Success”

11 a.m. – noon
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “Developing a Successful Business Plan.” Dealer Resource Pavilion

11 a.m. – noon
*Hardscape Demonstration 4. “Stepping it Up: Raised Patio Construction.” HNA Outdoor Arena

1 p.m.
$1,000 giveaway

1 – 2:30 p.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – Session C. “The Lifecycle of a Landscape Business”

1 – 2 p.m.
*Hardscape Demonstration 5. “Facelifts for Pavers: Approaches to Restoration and Maintenance.“ HNA Outdoor Arena

2 p.m.
$2,000 giveaway

2 – 3 p.m.
Dealership Managers’ & Owners’ Seminar – “Negotiating and Closing the Sale.” Dealer Resource Pavilion

3 p.m.
$3,000 giveaway

3 p.m.
Dealers’ Choice Awards. Dealer Resource Pavilion

3 – 4 p.m.
*Hardscape Demonstration 6. “Finishing Touches for Hardscape Projects (More Than Just a Pretty Space).” HNA Outdoor Arena

3 – 4:30 p.m.
Candy Coburn’s autograph session. Booth #1202

3 – 4:30 p.m.
*GIE+EXPO Workshop – Session D. “Developing a Marketing Plan That Works”

4 p.m.
$4,000 giveaway

8 p.m.
Free concert for all industry participants – Olivia Henken, 4th Street Live!

9 p.m.
Free concert for all industry participants – Candy Coburn, 4th Street Live!

*Pre-registration and/or additional fees are required for some Hardscape Demonstrations and Events, the Dealer Resource Roundtable Breakfast, Tech Training, Rental Class and GIE+EXPO Workshops.
 

Win a FREE Kindle Fire

During the show, Green Media — publisher of Outdoor Power Equipment, Landscape and Irrigation, SportsTurf and Arbor Age — will be giving away a free Kindle Fire.

The “Touching Base” promotion — to be held from Wednesday, Oct. 24, until noon on Friday, Oct. 26 — will help attendees “touch base” with featured exhibitors. To participate, just bring the game card found in this issue (see page 5) with you to GIE+EXPO. While at the show, take the game card to each participating exhibitor’s booth to get it stamped (see game card for the official list of exhibitors and corresponding booth numbers).

Once you have collected all of the exhibitors’ stamps, fill in your name and contact information on the bottom of the card, and return your completed card to the Green Media booth — #470 (only one completed game card per person will be accepted).

All completed game cards will be entered into the drawing to win the free Kindle Fire.

This exciting promotion gives us and the featured exhibitors a chance to meet with you, and gives you a chance to win one of the coolest new tech toys.

— John Kmitta