Source: www.TurfMagazine.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With an expanded education program and a new focus on UTVs, the roundup of benefits at the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) is now complete. Seminars and workshops led by industry experts, hardscape demonstrations, hands-on demos of hundreds of new products, networking, best-practice tips and giveaways – it’s a formula for a high return on investment. GIE+EXPO Workshops Ten GIE+EXPO Workshops include two sessions on hardscape business strategies and new tracks on snow & ice management and irrigation. Workshops topics include Outdoor Kitchen Design and Installation, Adopting Best Practices in Advance Snow Management and Financial Budgeting for the Land Care Company. 19 Acres of Outdoor Productivity Plus New UTV Demo Tracks The 19-acre Outdoor Demonstration Area is a pro’s No. 1 chance to inspect the engines, test the handling and experience the power of the industry’s newest products – all in one place. Open all day Thursday and Friday and just steps from the indoor exhibits, it’s where attendees can test-drive the equipment they’ve seen on the indoor show floor. An Official Outdoor Must-See Exhibits Guide will be distributed prior to the show and on-site to help attendees navigate the demo park. Attendees will see more UTVs than ever showcased and even a couple of UTV test tracks in the Outdoor Demo Area. Polaris and Ariens have increased their outdoor exhibit space to make room for demo tracks where attendees can test-drive utility vehicles. Polaris Work UTV Giveaway GIE+EXPO attendees will also have the opportunity to enter the Polaris Work UTV Giveaway! One lucky winner will have the option to select a Polaris BRUTUS, GEM or RANGER Work UTV. Each attendee will receive an entry with their show badge. To enter, they must drop off the completed entry at the Polaris indoor booth (7212) by the end of the show, Friday, Oct. 24. Hardscape Demos The hardscape demonstrations offered under the HNA Outdoor Arena tent are designed to help landscapers add new services or improve their hardscape installation techniques. Attendees can upgrade their tradeshow admission for just $25 to include the six demonstrations, or sign up to attend one of the two hardscape sessions included in the GIE+EXPO Workshops for an automatic upgrade. Hardscape North America Installer Championship This year’s show marks the second annual Hardscape North America Installer Championship. Top hardscape contractors from throughout North America compete against each other to determine the best-of-the-best in the industry. Up to 24 teams will start the competition in a preliminary round, with only the best four moving on to the championship round on Friday afternoon. Only one team will be named the 2014 Champion! Spanish-Language Seminars Two free sessions presented in Spanish will be provided by the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance. They will be held on Thursday as part of PLANET’s Green Industry Conference. “Becoming a Leader in the Green Industry” will be 1:30 – 2:45 p.m., and “The Keys to Satisfied Long-Term Customers” will be 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. Registration for the tradeshow is required. Free Concerts Three free concerts will rock the Nissan Commercial stage at Fourth Street Live! Montgomery Gentry, with openers Jeni Carr and Twangtown, Wednesday, Oct. 22 The Crashers, Thursday, Oct. 23 Olivia Henken, finalist on “The Voice”, Friday, Oct. 24 Fabulous Friday A big hit last year, the $10,000 Friday Giveaway will start at 1 p.m. on Friday. Winners must be present to win $1,000 at 1 p.m., $2,000 at 2 p.m., $3,000 at 3 p.m. and $4,000 at 4 p.m. To be eligible, register for GIE+EXPO. An entry form will be mailed along with badges and will include instructions for returning it on-site. For more Information & Registration GIE+EXPO’s 2014 dates are Wednesday, Oct. 22, Dealer Day and Oct. 23-24 for all industry participants. The annual event is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc. (OPEI), Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) and Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). HNA is sponsored by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI). An early-bird registration discount is available through Sept. 11. For information and online registration for the trade show and education program, go to www.gie-expo.com.