Show Preview: GIE+EXPO 2019

GIE+EXPO 2019 is set to be bigger than ever. The outdoor power equipment industry’s biggest event will feature 1,000 exhibits throughout 500,000 square feet inside the Kentucky Exposition Center and in the turf area outside; more than 20 acres of outdoor demonstrations and test driving, adjacent to the indoor exhibits; seminars to boost your efficiency and bottom line; a convenient location; networking opportunities; free concerts, and much more. 

This year’s event will feature expanded show hours. The indoor show floor will open an hour earlier for dealers, retailers and the media on Wednesday, Oct. 16. And, both indoor exhibits and the 20-acre Outdoor Demonstration Area will open earlier for the entire industry on Friday, Oct. 18.

Show schedule

Wednesday, Oct. 16

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Indoor exhibits open for dealers, retailers and the media

3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Indoor exhibits open for the entire industry

Thursday, Oct. 17

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Indoor exhibits and Outdoor Demonstration Area open

Friday, Oct. 18

8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Outdoor Demonstration Area open

8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Indoor exhibits open

Keynote address and education opportunities

Brian Beaulieu, the one of the country’s most informed economists, will present a Special Friday Report at GIE+EXPO 2019. In addition, dealers looking to pick up profit-boosting tips can attend workshops led by Bob Clements International, technician training, and UTV University. Many of these sessions are included with trade show registration.

Special Friday Report

(Included with trade show registration)

Friday, Oct. 18

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

More Growth – More People – More Business

Brian Beaulieu, CEO of ITR Economics

We all manage business cycles, but it is also important to keep your sights on the underlying reality of ongoing growth in the U.S. economy. Our economic system is geared for growth unless obstacles are put in our way. Our population is growing. And, business opportunities are expanding for those willing to take risks, act and trust in a good decade ahead. Join economic expert Brian Beaulieu to learn about the state of the economy and how it relates to our industry so you can plan your business for the future.

High-Performance Dealer Workshops

(Included with trade show registration)

The High-Performance Dealer Workshops, presented by Bob Clements International, the Equipment Dealers Association and United Equipment Dealers Association, will cover a variety of management topics specifically for dealers’ businesses.

Wednesday, Oct. 16

8 – 8:50 a.m.: Maximizing Your Profitability, Bob Clements

9 – 9:50 a.m.: Panel Discussion: What Your Customers Need from You, Kim Rominger, Moderator

10 – 10:50 a.m.: Meeting the Challenge of Change, Sara Hey

Thursday, Oct. 17

8 – 8:50 a.m.: 4 Keys to Being a Successful Service Manager, Bob Clements

9 – 9:50 a.m.: Finding and Hiring Technicians, Sara Hey

10 – 10:50 a.m.: Fine Tuning Your Service Process, Bob Clements

12 – 12:50 p.m.: Increasing Sales Through Demos, Greg Martinelli

1 – 1:50 p.m.: All You Have To Do is Ask and Follow Up, Greg Martinelli

Friday, Oct. 18

8 – 8:45 p.m.: Compensation for Service and Parts, Bob Clements

11 a.m. – Noon: Dealing with Different Personalities in your Dealership, Sara Hey

UTV University

(Included with trade show registration)

Back for a fourth year, the UTV University will feature proven powersports dealer training specialists. It is designed for dealers currently selling UTVs as well as those considering adding them to their lineup.

Wednesday, Oct. 16

1 – 2 p.m.: Driving Dealership Sales Volume and Profit Through the (8) Professional UTV Verticals, JW Washington, Ariens Co.

2 – 3 p.m.: 17 Ways to Use Omni-Channel Marketing to Sell More UTVs, Eric McMullen, Team Winnebagoland

3 – 4 p.m.: Showcasing the UTV Market Strength in 17 Data Points, Dave McMahon, Powersports Business and John Kmitta, Outdoor Power Equipment

Technician Training & Certification

Tech training is offered through the Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC).

Wednesday, Oct. 16

2-Hour Tech Training Sessions – $30 each – will begin at 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Courses offered include: Basics of Electronic Fuel Injection Systems

3-Hour Tech Training Sessions – $45 each – will begin at 8 a.m. and Noon

Courses offered include: Electrical Troubleshooting, Hydrostatic Transmissions, Two-Stroke Engine Failure Analysis, Electronic Fuel Injection Systems and Hydraulic Troubleshooting

Easton Corbin and Cassadee Pope to headline concerts at GIE+EXPO

Attendees at the 2019 GIE+EXPO, set for Oct. 16-18, will be treated to three nights of free, top-notch entertainment. The after-show-hours entertainment will kick off on Tuesday, October 15, with the popular party rock band The Crashers. Wednesday and Thursday headliners include country stars Easton Corbin and Cassadee Pope, thanks to sponsors Stihl Inc. and Mercedes-Benz Vans.

“Stihl is pleased to co-sponsor the 2019 GIE+EXPO Concert Series with Mercedes Benz,” said Bjoern Fischer, president, Stihl Inc. “The Fourth Street Live concerts are always a memorable experience for GIE+EXPO attendees, young and old, and we look forward to being part of the celebration this year.”

“We at Mercedes-Benz Vans are proud to be an integral part of the GIE+EXPO,” said Paul Butler, department manager, marketing, Mercedes-Benz. “Sponsoring the concert series provides us a great opportunity to not only reach the many van customers that attend the expo, but to also give back to the GIE+EXPO community and say thank you for your continued support. Sponsoring the concert series completes our holistic integration with the GIE+EXPO.”

Back at GIE+EXPO for a fourth year, The Crashers, will kick things off at the Tuesday night concert. Formed in 2008, this group has established itself, both regionally and nationally, as THE band to see. They’ve performed all over the country, leaving crowds wanting more, from the Super Bowl (as the official pre-game band for NBC at Super Bowl XLVI) to rockin’ it out as the backing band for national artists like Luke Bryan and Kid Rock.

With two No. 1 singles, multiple awards and nominations, plus performances on some of the biggest stages in the world, Easton Corbin has made a lasting impression on the country music landscape. His debut album, released in 2010, spawned back-to-back hits “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It.” Corbin set a career-best debut on Country Airplay with his top 5 hit single, “Baby Be My Love Song.” His latest single, “Are You With Me,” was most added song at country radio the day it was released. Corbin spent 2016 on one of the biggest tours in country music – Carrie Underwood’s The Storyteller Tour. He is currently working on his fourth studio album.

Cassadee Pope‘s powerhouse voice, inimitable presence and endless charm have transformed her into a force of nature beloved by millions worldwide. Following her victory on Season 3 of NBC’s The Voice, her 2013 full-length debut, Frame by Frame – with its lead single “Wasting All These Tears” – bowed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart and Top 10 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart. During 2016, Pope teamed with Chris Young for the No. 1 hit “Think of You” and garnered a 2017 Grammy nod in the category of Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Along the way, she has toured with everybody from Tim McGraw and Dierks Bentley to Young and Rascal Flatts.

During his whirlwind career explosion, rising star JD Shelburne has opened for many national acts, including Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler and others. “One Less Girl,” the first single from his 4th studio album, Two Lane Town, made its worldwide premiere on CMT last September.

Concert Lineup

Sponsored by Stihl Inc., on the Mercedes-Benz Vans Stage at 4th Street Live! in downtown Louisville

Tuesday, October 15, 8 p.m.

Headliner: The Crashers

Wednesday, October 16, 9 p.m.

Headliner: Easton Corbin

Thursday, October 17, 9 p.m.

Opener: JD Shelburne

Headliner: Cassadee Pope

Getting there

Louisville’s Housing Bureau makes booking hotel reservations quick and easy with pre-arranged rates. In addition, anyone who books through the bureau will be entered to win prizes ranging from a Louisville gift basket or personalized bourbon bottles to a complimentary hotel room during the show. For immediate hotel confirmation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, book your reservation at www.gie-expo.com/travel/hotels. To make reservations by phone, call the Louisville Housing Bureau at 800-743-3100 Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM EDT.

Four airlines are currently offering discounts for GIE+EXPO travel:

• American Airlines discounted fares are available by contacting their Meeting Services Desk, 800-433-1790. Use authorization number: A18H9BL.
• Delta is offering up to a 10-percent discount on flights. Search flights at www.delta.com/meetings, select “Book Your Flight,” and use Meeting Code NMT7H. For groups of 10 or more, call 800-328-1111.
• Southwest Airlines is offering 8 percent off Anytime & Business Select fares and 2 percent off select Wanna Get Away fares and 50 percent bonus Rapid Rewards points (travel 10/12 – 10/19/19). Go to www.swabiz.com/flight and use Company ID: 99636972.
• United Airlines is offering up to 10-percent discount on flights. Search flights at www.united.com and use code: ZGWW649353. Or call United Reservations Meetings at 800-426-1122.

Louisville’s airport (SDF), serviced by nearly every major and regional airline, is across the interstate from the Kentucky Exposition Center. Shuttle buses will run between the airport, exposition center and select hotels.

Free Parking at GIE+EXPO

Attendees at GIE+EXPO 2019 will now benefit from free parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Show organizers have arranged free parking for participants all three days of show. GIE+EXPO is set for October 16-18 at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) in Louisville. Online registration is available at www.gie-expo.com.

“We recognize that GIE+EXPO is an investment in each attendee’s business, and we strive to make it as affordable as possible,” said Kris Kiser, managing partner of GIE+EXPO and OPEI President. “More importantly, the free parking will allow easy access for all attendees and exhibitors. A major challenge for any large event at a venue like KEC is payment processing at gates. Now at GIE+EXPO, there’s no more waiting at the gate, which means more time on the show floor.”

For more information and online registration, visit www.gie-expo.com.