GIE+EXPO 2019 will have expanded show hours and new education opportunities. The annual event is set for Oct. 16-18, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.
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.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
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
Friday, Oct. 18
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Outdoor demonstration area open
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Indoor exhibits open
The GIE+EXPO Workshops for landscape and lawn care professionals are also expanding with two new opportunities on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The Irrigation Association will host “Secrets of a Successful Irrigation Business,” a panel discussion featuring irrigation contractors, landscape professionals and manufacturers, while the National Association of Landscape Professionals will present a session on snow and ice management. These workshops, which will cost $85, will run simultaneously from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., immediately before the opening keynote.
“The Irrigation Association is excited to be a more formal participant in GIE+EXPO’s education program this year,” said Irrigation Association CEO Deborah Hamlin. “Someone said to me recently, ‘There are probably more landscapers out there dabbling in irrigation than there are irrigation contractors.’ Most landscapers come into contact with irrigation systems, whether they are responsible for them or not. We would like anyone touching an irrigation system to do it right. Water is a precious resource, and we can’t be wasting it with broken or poorly maintained systems.”
A special event on Friday, Oct. 18 will feature noted industry economist Brian Beaulieu. Beaulieu, the CEO of ITR Economics, will discuss the state of the economy and OPE industry and provide strategic action items that can directly impact attendees’ businesses. This session, set for 9:30 a.m., is open to all attendees and included with trade show registration.
Conserva Irrigation signed 45 new franchise agreements in 2018. Conserva Irrigation expanded into target markets including Texas, Florida, Louisiana, California, Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, Kansas and New Jersey.
“Our team couldn’t have asked for a better year. Alongside our franchisees, technicians and partners, Conserva Irrigation was able to surpass expectations. The accomplishments achieved throughout 2018 reflect everyone’s hard work and commitment to our brand and services,” said Russ Jundt, founder of Conserva Irrigation. “As we jump into 2019, we remain devoted to pursuing new opportunities with entrepreneurs that believe in Conserva’s mission to make groundbreaking strides in water conservation efforts nationwide.”
Additionally, the Irrigation Association awarded Conserva and Target the prestigious 2018 Vanguard Award, which was created to honor an innovative project in the irrigation industry.
Western Products has been awarded a four-year national cooperative contract through Sourcewell. The awarded contract for Western helps Sourcewell members save time and money by eliminating the bidding process with a ready-to-use, competitively solicited contract for purchasing snow and ice control equipment, including snowplows, spreaders and accessories.
“We’re both excited and proud to be awarded the Sourcewell national contract,” said Pam Buckley, government sales and sustainability manager at Douglas Dynamics. “We feel it really validates the work we do in the snow and ice industry and will be beneficial not only for the company but for our dealers and customers as well.”
With the awarded contract, Western Products joins the largest government purchasing cooperative of its kind with more than 40 years of experience in the industry. Servicing more than 50,000 members throughout the U.S. and Canada, Sourcewell is able to leverage its large purchasing power to provide discounted pricing for all members. Sourcewell membership is free and available to all state, county and local government entities as well as educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.
