GIE+EXPO, the ninth largest trade show in the world, is gearing up for October 22-24, 2014. GIE+EXPO boasts 750 exhibitors in 500,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space and a 19-acre outdoor demonstration area and features the latest developments in the lawn, landscape, outdoor power equipment and utility vehicle industries.

These speaker presentations are open to the public, free of charge, and do not require show registration to attend.

One of the biggest benefits for attendees is the opportunity to hear inspiring speakers that can help them grow their businesses. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, an international trade association representing small engine, utility vehicle and outdoor power equipment manufacturers and suppliers, is pleased to announce three new speakers on the agenda:

Lee Bishop, of Bishop Law Offices, will help attendees make smart decisions. He will discuss product safety regulation onThursday, October 23 at 8:30-9:30 a.m. in room C-201. He will talk about how to handle product recalls and safety defects, as well as how to respond to incorrect complaints on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s new database. His perspective is from the viewpoint of a business, not a regulator. Bishop is a lawyer with extensive experience in all these issues, gained from twenty years as counsel to manufacturers, importers, retailers and licensors. For 16 years, he was the product safety lawyer for General Electric.

Eric Voyer, of the Stevenson Company, will help attendees understand consumer purchasing behavior by talking about research from TraQline that explores retailer focus on the retail omni-channel world. He will discuss cross-conversion rates between store and web purchasing, online and offline shopping behaviors, and highlight the successes and struggles of stores like Amazon, and independent and large home improvement and outdoor power equipment retailers. He will be speaking on Friday, October 24 at 10-11:00 a.m. in room C-201. Voyer is vice president for TraQline, the industry’s most trusted syndicated survey on home improvement shares and consumer behavior trends. TraQline is a product of The Stevenson Company, a leader in market research for the durables industry and a specialist in collection and analysis of consumer data.

Cleophas Jackson of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will make sure attendees are informed on the latest regulatory developments by providing an update on EPA’s activities related to non-road small spark-ignited engines on Friday, October 24 at 1-2:00 p.m. in room C-201. Jackson is the Director of the Gasoline Engine Compliance Center with responsibility for certification and compliance for heavy-duty gasoline engines, recreational vehicles, highway motorcycles, small gasoline engines, large spark-ignition engines, and marine spark-ignition engines.

Helping the outdoor power equipment and utility vehicle industry continually improve itself, is a core value for OPEI. “We are very pleased to have these excellent speakers attend GIE+EXPO this year,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO. “I know that the attendees will leave inspired and with new knowledge that they can apply to their businesses and bottom lines.”

With more than 130 new exhibitors, amplified participation from returning exhibitors, a larger-than-ever Outdoor Demo Area, an increase in attendee registrations and high registration rates for dealer programming, participation from all segments of the industry is going strong for GIE+EXPO 2014. Don’t miss this opportunity and join us!

GIE+EXPO’s 2014 dates are Wednesday, Oct. 22, Dealer Day andOct. 23-24 for all industry participants. The annual event is sponsored by OPEI, the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) and Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). Hardscape North America is co-located with GIE+EXPO. Information and registration is available at www.gie-expo.com. Stop by OPEI’s booth #11146 by to learn about OPEI or attend our 9:30 a.m. joint press conference on October 23.

About OPEI

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than 100 power equipment, engine and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. OPEI is the advocacy voice of the industry, and a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in the development of safety and performance standards. OPEI is managing partner of GIE+EXPO, the industry’s annual international trade show, and the creative force behind the environmental education program, TurfMutt.com. OPEI-Canada represents members on a host of issues, including recycling, emissions and other regulatory developments across the Canadian provinces. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org