Exhibitors are being encouraged to “RE-Think Dealer Meetings.” Show planners are offering several incentives for suppliers to schedule their annual product introductions in Louisville during the days leading up to the show. Warren Sellers,
Show Director, said meeting rooms at the Kentucky Exposition Center will be available to exhibitors Monday through Wednesday, leading up to the show opening on Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. The only charge for the rooms will be discounted food and beverage fees and possible re-set fees.
There will also be opportunities for private product demonstrations outside the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) on Wednesday, and exhibitors will be able to offer hotel blocks for their dealers.
During a reception for dealers, retailers and distributors on the trade show floor Wednesday evening, October 24, exhibitors will have the option of hosting special events in their booths. On Thursday and Friday, October 25 and 26, GIE+EXPO and the Outdoor Demo Area will be open to all industry participants.
Sellers pointed out that dealers and exhibitors have requested exclusive time on the exhibit floor to talk about agreements and product pricing. In addition, exhibitors have requested access to meeting rooms while customers are in Louisville.
HNA, which will co-locate again with GIE+EXPO, will have the same schedule with distributors admitted on Wednesday and contractors included on Thursday and Friday.
Classes for all Attendees Start prior to Tradeshow Opening
This year dealers can provide their technicians with Power Pro Certification training at GIE+EXPO through the Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC) and the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA). The 1.5-hour classes, which will be offered three times each on Wednesday, will cost only $30 each and will cover Basics in Electrical Diagnostics, Basics in Two-Stroke Engine Diagnostics and Basics in EFI Systems.
The Dealer Resource Pavilion will be open Wednesday through Friday offering products, advice and techniques to generate high performance. In the Pavilion, owners and managers can take classes offered by dealership-management guru Bob Clements. Tentatively, the subjects of these free classes include “Keys to Improving Technician Efficiency,” “Pricing and Flat Rating Service Work,” “Strategies for Improving Parts Profitability,” “Branding and Marketing Your Dealership,” “Developing a Successful Business Plan” and “Negotiating and Closing the Sale.”
The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), which sponsors HNA, will offer their HNA Distributor Program on Wednesday at KEC so hardscape distributors can participate in Dealer Day.
Although the trade show floor will be open Wednesday exclusively for dealers, distributors and retailers, others in the industry will have a variety of educational opportunities available that day in hotels in downtown Louisville.
The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) and Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) will begin their Green Industry Conference (GIC) at the Louisville Marriott Downtown on Wednesday and continue it at KEC on Thursday and Friday. Their GIE+EXPO Workshops are being expanded this year to eight sessions on Thursday and Friday at KEC.
The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) will open the annual School of Grounds Management at the Galt House on Wednesday and continue through Saturday at KEC.
ICPI will offer hardscape installer and technician training at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday and Wednesday. Details of the education programs will be available in the coming weeks on each of the appropriate sponsors’ websites.
GIE+EXPO – the 9th largest tradeshow in America – is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), PLANET and PGMS. HNA is sponsored by ICPI and endorsed by the Brick Industry Association and National Concrete Masonry Association.
Online registration for GIE+EXPO will be open in early March. For more information about GIE+EXPO 2012 and HNA 2012, go to www.gie-expo.com
Dealer/Retailer/Distributor Schedule (Tentative as of 2/13/12)
Kentucky Expo Center
Monday – Tuesday, October 22-23
Meeting rooms available for exhibitors’ dealer meetings (Check with your suppliers.)
Wednesday, October 24 – Dealer Day
Until 3:00 p.m.: Meeting rooms available for exhibitors’ dealer meetings
8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Classes for dealers and technicians
9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Dealer Resource Pavilion open
3:00-7:00 p.m.: Exhibits open to dealers/retailers/distributors
5:00-7:00 p.m.: Floor reception for dealers/retailers/distributors and exhibitors
HNA Distributor Program. Schedule to be announced.
Thursday, October 25
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Indoor exhibits and Outdoor Demonstration Area open to all attendees.
Friday, October 26
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Indoor exhibits open to all attendees.
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Outdoor Demonstration Area open to all attendees.
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