GIE+EXPO 2019 drew 830 exhibitors and 21,000 attendees to the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville from October 15-18. Two separate shows actually shared the 500,000 square-foot indoor space and the 20-plus acres of outside demonstration and booth area—GIE+EXPO and Hardscape North America. Each had its own definitive display areas.
GIE+EXPO is the 16th largest tradeshow of any kind in North America, and the largest in the outdoor living and equipment market. GIE+EXPO is commonly recognized as the “Epicenter” of Green-industry trade shows because it is the showcase for the newest and most innovative consumer, commercial, power, and non-power products. It is the Green industry’s answer to Electronics’ CES and the Automotive industry’s NAIAS.
So, it was no surprise to learn that GIE+EXPO – 2019 attracted Green-industry decision makers and influencers from around the world. In fact, 58 percent of all dealers and 70 percent of all contractors indicated they had the “final say” in purchase and policy decisions for their companies.
The specific layout of the facility and the show’s itinerary enabled us to meet with dealers and distributors at different times as well as in one gathering. “Premium exposure” was the result. The goal was to meet primarily with representatives in the landscaping industry, but we also met with servicing dealers, powersports retailers, general contractors, golf course superintendents, forest and land managers, and industry media—whew!
“We had a phenomenal amount of traction,” according to the same internal communication. More than 400 attendees interacted with us from companies like Brightstone, US Lawns, Fieldstone, and OSHA.
The show had everything that exhibitors and attendees could want: the ability to demonstrate new products outside and exhibit inside, educational opportunities for every segment of the Green industry, and nightly concerts that enabled networking in an informal, fun setting.
As an aside: The Green industry experiences different theft patterns than, for example, Scrap, Cargo, and Batteries, which tend to fluctuate with the seasons, geography, or with demand. The Green industry experiences theft and wrestles with similar issues year-round. It seems that two-cycle equipment like mowers, weed whackers, and leaf blowers are the most common items stolen by thieves.
We also made invaluable connections on the supplier side as well, in particular, connecting with current and potential partners in vegetation control, which is one of our most-popular enhancements for customers.
We can’t wait for next year’s GIE+EXPO, where hopefully we’ll be exhibiting in the outdoor space as well!
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