On the heels of the largest GIE+EXPO ever, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced it will move into 100 percent ownership of the trade show, the international landscape, outdoor living and equipment exposition starting in 2022. The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) will separate from the annual LANDSCAPES meeting and host its own stand-alone conference.
“GIE+EXPO has had an extraordinarily strong run since 2010 — posting records in attendance and booth space. Last year’s show was the biggest ever, setting record attendance levels,” said Kris Kiser, president of OPEI and managing director of GIE+EXPO. “With this change in ownership structure of the show, OPEI will own the show in its entirety. We’ll continue to work with our landscape industry partners to provide attendees with training and other programmatic elements at the Kentucky Exposition Center. We look forward to the continued evolution and dynamic growth of GIE+EXPO in Louisville in the future.”
2019 was the sixth record-breaking year in a row for GIE+EXPO. The industry’s largest show hosted more than 1,000 exhibitors and more than 20 acres of outdoor demonstration area for attendees to ride, drive, dig, and cut with the industry’s latest equipment. More than 26,500 contractors, dealers, and exhibitors attended from all 50 states and more than 40 countries.
New features at the 2019 GIE+EXPO included in-tree training from the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop, whose team of climbers demonstrated arbor safety and climbing skills in a 60-foot sugar maple erected in Freedom Hall for the purpose, as well as the second-annual Lucky’s Mutt Madness rescue dog adoption event held in partnership with the Kentucky Humane Society.
GIE+EXPO will continue to offer education, training and certification in all segments of the OPE industry, including landscape, hardscape, lighting, snow and ice management, tree care and irrigation for landscapers, hardscapers, dealers, distributors and contractors.
“We’ve enjoyed a strong partnership with the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, and we continue to work together on government relations and other important industry issues,” said Britt Wood, NALP CEO, “but the time has come to provide members with a new annual meeting experience, so beginning in 2022, our conference will move to different cities.”
NALP has assembled a planning task force, including industry suppliers and manufacturers, lawn care, maintenance and design-build professionals, to provide guidance and input into the design of the new conference. Member input is also being gathered to ensure that the conference provides the best education and networking opportunities while incorporating local facility tours and the latest innovations.
GIE+EXPO 2020 is set for October 21-23. Attendees can expect hands-on drone training, expanded tree care demonstrations, a UTV test track and continued co-location with Hardscape North America.
“OPEI has signed an extension agreement for the show from 2022-2024 with the Kentucky Exposition Center and area hotels in Louisville for the future. GIE+EXPO has always been the industry’s family reunion and the place to be if you’re in this business,” Kiser said. “We’re looking forward to continuing to work with our partners to provide the best training, education and hands-on learning for the entire industry.”
View LM’s coverage from the 2019 GIE+EXPO below.
