Also Adds Associate Member to Board of Directors and Announces Enhancements to Annual Meeting

Alexandria, Va.  – February 28, 2012 – The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) today announced that it will commemorate its 60th anniversary at this year’s Annual Meeting to be held June 20-22 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Changes to the OPEI Annual Meeting agenda reflect the Association’s increasing commitment to broader member participation and engagement. To attend the meeting or sponsor an event function, contact Marla Popkin at mpopkin@opei.org.

OPEI is also pleased to announce the addition of an Associate Member to OPEI’s Board of Directors.  An Associate Member Recognition Luncheon has been scheduled in conjunction with the Annual Meeting. 

“Adding an Associate Member to the OPEI Board recognizes their importance within our organization,” said Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI.  “Associate members play an instrumental role in our success, and we want their engagement at this leadership level.”

Further, beginning in 2013, OPEI’s Annual Meeting will include the participation of all working committees (handheld, ground supported, market services, legal and other task groups) who will report progress and committee activities back to the attendees.

“OPEI’s strength is in its membership.  That’s why we are committed to more fully engage members and harness our resources and expertise so that we can act quickly and effectively on behalf of the industry,” added Kiser.

Headlining this year’s meeting will be Nick Bilton, currently the lead technology writer/reporter for The New York Times’ Bits blog and a reporter for the daily paper.  Bilton’s newest book, I Live in the Future & Here’s How It Works, examines how technology is shaping our brains and our lives. His presentation will focus on the future of technology trends, and how this evolution affects our day-to-day lives, both at home and at work.

About OPEI’s 60th Anniversary

OPEI was founded in 1952 when eleven mower manufacturers charter a national nonprofit trade association called The Lawn Mower Institute, changing its name to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute in 1960.   Since then, OPEI launched the industry's first U.S. industry exposition in 1984, having since merged with the PLANET Green Industry Expo (GIE) and Hardscape North America to form the largest green industry show.  In 2001, OPEI absorbs the membership of PPEMA (the Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association).  After 60 years, OPEI has evolved to be the international voice for the industry, and represents the outdoor power equipment, small engine, generator and utility vehicles industries.   More complete OPEI Timeline below.

About OPEI

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than 84 engine and engine equipment manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety standards. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org.