Planners of the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), set for June 24-26 at Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley in Park City, Utah have announced the program schedule and highlights as the May 16 registration deadline nears.
Featured speakers scheduled to present engaging sessions over the 2-day event include an internationally-renowned theoretical physicist, an OPE market forecaster, an advisor and litigator focused on product safety, an international trade policy expert. In this conference summary, Rural Lifestyle Dealer is sharing program highlights shared in the meeting program.
“We have a dynamic program planned, designed to give you key insights into the economic and political trends shaping our industry. And just as importantly, we’ve ensured there’s ample time to connect with fellow members and industry peers throughout your stay,” according to OPEI President Kris Kiser. “This year’s event brings together renowned experts and industry leaders to share insights on economic trends, regulatory developments, and strategies for enhancing communication. Of course, we’ve also built in plenty of opportunities for networking.”
Sessions on the program for June 25 will include a variety of expert presenters and topics, after opening remarks by David Thorne, Chair, OPEI Board of Directors and introductions by Kris Kiser, OPEI President.
In a morning keynote session on June 25, Don Rheem, a returning speaker who works with manufacturing companies nationwide to improve communication, customer loyalty, and employee engagement. will present, “The Neuroscience of Employee Engagement: Why Science and Meaningful Data Matter.” Rheem is founder and chairman of CultureID Engagement. In this keynote, Rheem will reveal the neuroscience behind employee motivation and retention, backed by data insights from our global data. Through extensive workforce business intelligence, CultureID has analyzed engagement trends, providing unparalleled visibility into what’s driving disengagement and what top-performing organizations are doing differently.
Additional sessions planned for day one of the 2025 OPEI Annual Meeting include:
“California, U.S. EPA and What’s Next in Emissions Regulations” to be presented by Greg Knott, OPEI Senior Vice President, Standards and Regulatory Affairs; and “Who’s Producing Extended Producer Responsibility?” will be offered by Brandon Martin, OPEI’s Vice President, Battery/Electric Products & Industry Affairs.
Presenting “U.S. Trade Policy Developments, Impacts, and Response” will be Robert DeFrancesco, Partner, Wiley. His session will provide state-of-play updates on trade and tariffs, emissions regulations, and other policy developments. Based in Washington, D.C., DeFrancesco’s practice involves all aspects of international trade and trade remedy proceedings.
The second day presenters scheduled for June 26 include:
Erika Jones, Partner, Mayer Brown Jones, will present a session on “U.S. CPSC and the Product Safety Priorities of the New Administration” on June 26 during the early morning program. Jones is a respected advisor and litigator whose practice is particularly focused on regulatory matters involving motor vehicle safety and consumer product safety, and related litigation.
Dr. Michio Kaku Source: OPEI
“Physics of the Future” will be presented in a keynote session by Dr. Michio Kaku, an internationally renowned theoretical physicist, New York Times bestselling author, and science correspondent for CBS This Morning. The talk, sponsored by The Toro Company, is based around his book, Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100. Based on interviews with over 300 of the world’s top scientists, Kaku presents the revolutionary developments in medicine, computers, energy, quantum physics, and space travel that will change our lives and alter the course of civilization itself.
Dave King, Vice President of Insights at The Farnsworth Group, represents OPEI’s market forecasting vendor. On June 26, he will deliver a presentation on “Making sense of economic and industry factors impacting OPE,” offering sector-specific trends affecting landscapers, dealers, and home improvement contractors. King will review macroeconomic factors that will provide insight into what the OPE market can expect. More importantly, he will outline trending industry factors that directly impact the purchase of OPE, as well as professional and consumer customers’ mindset given the prolonged uncertainty that may be impacting purchases.
Beyond the business sessions, attendees can look forward to exclusive networking experiences, including a tasting and tour at High West Distillery, opportunities to explore Park City and the always-anticipated OPEI Louisville Classic golf scramble, according to the organization.
