GIE+EXPO had its sixth consecutive record-breaking year, with more than 26,500 people in attendance.

The show, one of the largest in the U.S., covered 24,000 net square feet more than last year, including both the indoor and outdoor exhibit areas.

The lawn care attendee category increased by 18 percent, while the servicing dealer registrants increased by 8 percent. Thirty-four percent of dealer/retailer and 42 percent of landscape and lawn care attendees were first-timers. There were attendees from all 50 states and more than 40 countries.

Indoor booths were spread throughout 675,000 square feet, while the outdoor demo area exceeded 20 acres for the third year in a row. More than 80 products were highlighted in the New Products Spotlight, and the number of software and technology companies exhibiting increased to more than 80.

ICYMI: View our 2019 GIE+EXPO coverage.

Special features of this year’s event included arborist demonstrations by the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop, a new Social Media Lounge, a free technology seminar, Mutt Madness and sessions by speakers including Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman, economic expert Brian Beaulieu and dealership guru Bob Clements.

GIE+EXPO 2020 will be held Oct. 20-23. Plans are in the works for new features and real-world education on hot industry topics such as how to use drones in your business. Exhibitors are already signing up to showcase their innovations.

“Unlike other events where attendees sit in meeting rooms, GIE+EXPO offers hands-on training with things like the arborist demos, the outdoor demo area, the new social media lounge, engine tech training and live hardscape demos,” said Kris Kiser, managing partner of GIE+EXPO and OPEI president. “Next year, we’re adding indoor drone training in Freedom Hall, an equipment test track and hands-on education with the latest in technology and robotic mowers.”

According to Kiser, the Kentucky Exposition Center is one of the country’s most unique venues because it offers an indoor arena with 70-foot ceilings where attendees can learn to fly drones, and right outside the exhibit hall sits a 20-acre demo park where there are hands-on training opportunities and all types of equipment available for testing.