The countdown to Equip Expo has begun. With such a wide range of product innovations, educational sessions and networking opportunities for equipment dealers and media alike, the event is certain to deliver plenty of news over the duration of the 4-day event set for Oct. 21-24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. From battery-powered lineups to outdoor demos, and a chance to meet up with execs and their teams from OPE manufacturers large and small, our team is eager to take it all in.

A broad range of education sessions during Equip Expo — described as the largest power equipment trade show of the year — are planned specifically to help dealers bolster their businesses. Team management improvement strategies, recruitment and retention plans, intensive technology programs, as well as opportunities for certification and licensing are on the program.

Here’s a summary of key highlights to be made available during the event, themed “Where the Landscape Changes,” which is hosted by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).

New at Equip Expo: Consumer Insights to Support Dealers

From Consumer Reports editors to The Farnsworth Group to Bob Clements International and the North American Equipment Dealers Assn. (NAEDA), equipment dealers at this year’s Expo will have a larger-than-ever variety of sessions to help them learn and leverage business and consumer insights.

In an Equip Expo first, this year a panel of Consumer Reports editors is coming to the trade show to talk about what’s driving consumer sentiment when it comes to buying outdoor power equipment.

The trade show will also include sessions led by The Farnsworth Group, which will discuss macro-economic trends and how they impact the outdoor power equipment industry. Dealers can also learn what’s driving purchases by homeowners from the consumer data shared by The Farnsworth Group in its sessions.

“We want to help dealers understand how to connect with new customers and better manage their dealerships for profit,” says Kris Kiser, president & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). “The entire trade show is a learning environment where dealers can see the latest equipment and technology, learn how to manage their businesses better, and talk to dealers from throughout the country.”

Dealer education seminars at Equip Expo aim to help dealers boost sales and profitability, improve team management, retention and recruitment, and apply technology to better streamline operations and improve efficiency, according to the coordinators. Additional trainers for dealer education sessions this year include Bob Clements International, the Equipment Engine & Training Council and NAEDA.

Bringing Technology to Contractors

Drones, robotic mowers and smart irrigation, among other innovative products — representing the latest smart technology for equipment, irrigation and safety — will be available for hands-on testing. According to event planners, the more-than-a-million-square-feet of exhibit space and 30-acre Outdoor Demo Yard will be loaded with the software, equipment, drones and new technology that are rapidly changing how landscape contractors work and how managed landscapes and green spaces are maintained.

Focus on Women in the Green Industry

For the third year, Equip will offer the Women’s Leadership Reception, which is designed to help women leaders in the green industry connect and build their professional networks while attending the international landscape, outdoor living and equipment exposition. The reception will be held Thursday, October 23, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the KEC, and be preceded by a special panel discussion on women in the green industry.

“Women are an important part of our almost 30,000 attendees and exhibitors who come to Equip, and we’re proud to offer the Women’s Reception and other networking opportunities to bring women leaders in the green industry together,” says Kiser.

Just before the reception at 4:00 pm, there will be a panel discussion, “Power Players: Women Shaping the Future of the Industry,” which includes Sara Hey, President of Bob Clements International, Shelia Matthews, Chief People Officer at Wilson360, and Bre Schoultz, the content creator behind Chickanic. Panelists will share their experiences in the landscaping and outdoor power equipment industries.

Whether registered as exhibitors, landscapers, contractors, distributors, or dealers, all women attendees can participate in the panel and reception. Attendees need to RSVP to attend the reception when they register for Equip. After the reception, shuttle transportation will be provided from the KEC to the Kentucky International Convention Center for the Equip signature concert by Big & Rich with Gretchen Wilson.

Several representatives from Rural Lifestyle Dealer will be joining me in Louisville for the Equip Expo, so we’ll be keeping an eye out for, connecting with and covering the people, products and innovations the event is sure to deliver, so stay tuned.