GIE+EXPO 2017 Show Preview

Valuable opportunities abound at the 2017 GIE+EXPO (Green Industry & Equipment Expo) for landscape professionals interested in improving profitability. The show will be held October 19 and 20 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. (October 18 is a special Dealer Day for outdoor power equipment dealers). GIE+EXPO 2017 will feature

  • 850 exhibits throughout 500,000 square feet inside the Kentucky Exposition Center and in the turf area outside.
  • 20-plus acres of outdoor demonstrations and test driving, adjacent to the indoor exhibits.
  • Seminars to boost your efficiency and bottom line.
  • Networking opportunities.
  • And more.

 

2017 GIE+EXPO Workshops

 

The GIE+EXPO Workshops will cover a variety of management topics specifically for landscape contractors’ businesses. In addition, for contractors looking to diversify, Hardscape North America’s co-location with GIE+EXPO provides the opportunity to learn about expanding into the hardscape market.

 

Thursday, October 19

8-9:30 a.m.

Hardscape Workshop 1: Production Management and Crew Motivation on the Hardscape Jobsite

Frank Gandora, Creative Hardscape

Creating and winning a bid is only half the story. With more than 30 years of hardscape experience, Frank Gandora knows profits are made or lost on the job site. In this info-packed session, he will share valuable techniques that will motivate your crew, increase production and ensure a profitable project.

10-11:30 a.m.

Hardscape Workshop 2: Hardscape as a Profit Center

Frank Bourque

Hardscape services prove to be one of the most profitable areas in the landscape industry. Adding hardscape services to a landscape business can mean big dividends if done the right way. In this high-impact session, landscape professionals will learn how to differentiate their businesses from the competition and implement proven systems to gain the maximum return on investment by adding hardscape services.

1-2:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 1:

50 Sure-Fire Ways to Reduce Cost & Increase Profits

Bill Arman and Ed Laflamme, The Harvest Group, National Association of Landscape Professional Consultants

Are you frustrated working 24/7 with low profits? Are your sales growing bigger and your bottom line smaller? It’s time to figure out the things that really make money. This hard-hitting session will include real-world case studies and practical advice to help landscape professionals attract, motivate and keep great people, and maximize market share with powerful estimating and pricing strategies.

3-4:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 2:

A Critical Analysis of the Six Estimating Systems Used in the Green Industry Today

Jim Huston, J.R. Huston Consulting, National Association of Landscape Professional Consultant

Learn the six most commonly used estimating methods in the green industry. Attendees will gain an understanding of six estimating methods and the tools to identify the weaknesses and strengths in each; how to analyze a bid; and how to define and calculate direct costs, general and administrative overhead costs, a break-even point, gross profit margins and net profit margins.

 

Friday, October 20

8-9:30 a.m.

NALP Workshop 3:

The Success Marketing Strategy for Growing Your Landscaping Business

Christopher Yates, Success Landscape Marketing, National Association of Landscape Professional Consultant

Websites and social media are changing at lightning speed and it’s a challenge for a business owner to stay on top of it all. In this workshop, the author of [ital>The Complete Guide to Marketing Success for Landscapers<ital] will break everything down in a practical way to help businesses generate more clients, referrals and revenue.

8-9:30 a.m.

NALP Workshop 4:

Teamwork – In Every Aspect of Your Life!

Rich and Crystal Arlington, Rich Arlington & Associates, National Association of Landscape Professional Consultant

The Dynamic Duo of Landscape and Snow, Rich & Crystal Arlington will explain how to work together as a team at work and at home. To be successful in our personal lives and business, a person must understand and develop a plan to overcome the obstacles presented when husband and wife work together. Attendees with learn how to create a professional environment, use technology as an effective tool and utilize each other’s strengths to build unity in a business and personal relationship.

10-11:30 a.m.

NALP Workshop 5:

Tips and Trends for Hiring and Retaining Employees

Kent Kohn, Pro-Motion Consulting Inc., National Association of Landscape Professional Consultant

What are businesses doing to attract and keep employees? What is the most important policy to maintain when hiring and firing? What are the most common hiring mistakes? How do you hire the best talent? How can an employer appeal to different generations? Landscape professionals will learn answers to these key employment questions and much more.

10-11:30 a.m.

NALP Workshop 6:

Sustainable Winter Management™

Phill Sexton, Chief Knowledge Officer, Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA)

Sexton will present the results of his two-year study about sustainability issues of the winter management industry. He will discuss solutions to consider for the industry to further its credibility as a profession. A lack of formal standards offers an opportunity for the industry to self regulate its policy and practice and to elevate its image as environmental stewards.

1-2:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 7:

How to Develop a Well-Trained, Safe and Effective Workforce! …Do We Really Know How to “Train Our Trainers?”

Fred Haskett, The Harvest Group, National Association of Landscape Professional Consultant

This presentation examines the current state of training programs and systems in our information-rich environment. It offers a simple and implementable system that will arm any organization’s trainers with the self-confidence to train their team members to execute tasks consistently and thoroughly in order to achieve a safe, competent and effective workforce.

3-4:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 8:

The 4 Keys to Crush Your Goals

Jeffrey Knight, Director of Education, Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply

The problem with goals is that many of them lack imagination or they are simply tasks that should never be categorized as a “goal” in the first place. Imagine what you could achieve if you conditioned yourself to stay in a mental state that constantly takes advantage of things that contribute to your success.

 

Hardscape Demonstrations

(Held in the tented Hardscape North America Outdoor Arena in the Outdoor Demonstration Area)

The format for the Hardscape Demonstrations will be a continuous build, which will happen during show hours in the HNA Outdoor Arena with one-hour featured demonstrations. The presentations will be led by Bill Gardocki, owner of Interstate Landscape Co., Inc. and University of New Hampshire.

 

Thursday, October 19

11 a.m.-Noon

SRW Construction with a Focus on Double Tiered Walls and Proper Geo Grid Specification, Placement and Use

1-2 p.m.

Installation of Base Material and Pavers for Interlocking Pavements and Go Pro Time-Lapse for Construction Jobs

3-4 p.m.

Permeable Base and Paver Installation

 

Friday, October 20

11 a.m.-Noon

Tools of the Trade

1-2 p.m.

Hardscape Lighting

3-4 p.m.

Outdoor Kitchens

Each HNA demonstration is eligible for one ICPI Certified Installer Continuing Education (CE) Credit. Attendees should pick up a CE tracking form at the HNA registration desk at the tradeshow.

Registration in advance is required for the workshops and demonstrations. NALP Workshops: $85; Hardscape Workshop: $50. Those who only want to attend the HNA Demonstrations can upgrade their tradeshow registration for $50 to include all six live demos. Register for all sessions online at [ital>www.gie-expo.com<ital].

 

For information and online registration for the tradeshow: www.gie-expo.com.

 

 

LANDSCAPES 2017, presented by NALP

 

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) presents LANDSCAPES 2017 in Louisville during GIE+EXPO. LANDSCAPES 2017 allows attendees to learn from other landscape contractors and crew members on what it takes to build a successful company, connect with experts, earn CEUs for Landscape Industry Certified recertification, discover partnership opportunities, learn current trends, and more.

GIE+EXPO admission is free with your LANDSCAPES registration.

 

Wednesday, October 18

 

9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Account Manager Training Workshop

 

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Specialty Summits

Design/Build Installation | Landscape Management | Lawn Care

 

Noon-4 p.m.

CEO Forum

Mary Kelly, Leadership Expert, Economist, Author

 

3:30-4:30 p.m.

One-On-One Mentoring Session With NALP Trailblazers

 

4:30-5:30 p.m.

Newcomers Reception

 

6-8:30 p.m.

Opening Keynote and Welcome Party

Ron Jaworski, NFL Quarterback

 

Thursday, October 19

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Breakfast With Champions

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

GIE + EXPO

9:45-11:15 a.m.

Power Sessions

1:30-2:45 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

Tracks: Business Management, Human Resources, Leadership, Marketing/Sales and Operations.

3-4:15 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

6 p.m.

Awards and Recognition Celebration Dinner

8 p.m.

Free Concerts on 4th Street Live!

 

Friday, October 20

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Breakfast With Champions

9-10:30 a.m.

Student Employer Roundtable

9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

GIE + EXPO

9:45-11:45 a.m.

Power Sessions

CEOs UNPLUGGED

Three Specialties: Design Build, Landscape Management and Lawn Care.

1:30-2:45 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

Tracks: Business Management (Advanced), Human Resources, Leadership, Marketing/Sales and Operations.

3-4:15 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

Tracks: Business Management, Human Resources, Marketing/Sales and Operations.

6:30 p.m.

Dutch Treat Dine-Around

8 p.m.

Free Concerts on 4th Street Live!

 

Golf and Sports Turf Management Conference returns to GIE+EXPO

For the second year in a row, golf course superintendents and sports turf professionals will have education opportunities at GIE+EXPO. The Golf and Sports Turf Management Conference, hosted by the Kentucky Turfgrass Council, will take place Thursday and Friday, October 19-20 at the Kentucky Exposition Center during the tradeshow. GIE+EXPO draws more than 18,000 participants to see the latest innovations and attend first-rate education programs.

Thursday’s programs will offer golf sessions in the morning and sports turf sessions in the afternoon, allowing attendees to spend half day in education and half day visiting the trade show. A combined general session is set for Friday morning.

“With 900 exhibits — indoors and out — that showcase the newest turf management equipment, lawn and garden products, light construction equipment and UTVs, it’s a natural fit for golf course superintendents and sports turf professionals,” said Warren Sellers, show director. “Having the conference sessions in conjunction with the tradeshow makes GIE+EXPO their one-stop shop for new products and education.”

Pre-registration is required for the Golf and Sports Turf Management sessions. The fee for each Thursday session is $99. Friday’s session is $89. In addition, participants are invited to upgrade their session registration for $50 to include a networking reception Thursday, 5:30-8 p.m. at The Galt House Hotel.

 

Free Concerts at GIE+EXPO & HNA

GIE+EXPO and Hardscape North America attendees will be treated to three nights of free, top-notch entertainment featuring country rock-star Uncle Kracker; party rock band The Crashers; up-and-coming country singers Alaska and Madi; and V-Groove, a diverse and energetic cover band, thanks to sponsor Mercedes-Benz.

“We’re excited to have Mercedes-Benz on board this year as the concert stage sponsor,” said Warren Sellers, show director. “With their support, we’ve planned a dynamic lineup of entertainers that will allow attendees and exhibitors alike to continue the networking and camaraderie beyond the tradeshow floor.”

Concert Lineup

(On the Mercedes-Benz Stage at 4th Street Live! in downtown Louisville)

 

Wednesday, October 18, 8 p.m.

Opening Act: Runaway June

Headliner: Uncle Kracker

 

Thursday, October 19, 8 p.m.

Opening Act: Alaska and Madi

Headliner: The Crashers

 

Friday, October 20, 8 p.m.

Headliner: V-Groove

 

Uncle Kracker adheres to a simple, yet rather timeless philosophy of just having fun. After vaulting to stardom as a charismatic presence and chief collaborator in Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker Band, the Michigan singer, songwriter, and performer kicked off a stunning solo career of his own. Uncle Kracker’s chart-topping hits include “Follow Me,” “In A Little While,” and “Smile.” Country superstar Kenny Chesney tapped him for “When the Sun Goes Down,” which impressively spent five weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart.

 

Opening the show on Wednesday, Runaway June is a vocal trio that’s bringing back the organic harmony that The Dixie Chicks made popular. Their debut single “Lipstick” catapulted into the Top 25 at Country radio, and the group was recognized on nearly every “One to Watch” list for 2017. The group is made up of lead singer and guitarist Naomi Cook, singer and mandolin picker Hannah Mulholland and singer/guitarist Jennifer Wayne, the granddaughter of Hollywood legend John Wayne.

 

Thursday night kicks off with the country western duo of Alaska and Madi, who have been singing together for more than a decade. After being members of Team Blake on season six of NBC’s “The Voice,” they moved their music to the next level. Their self-titled debut album, which features five original songs and five covers, was released in late 2014.

 

Back at GIE+EXPO for a third year by popular demand, The Crashers, have established themselves, both regionally and nationally, as the band to see. They’ve performed all over the country, from the Super Bowl (as the official pre-game band for NBC at Super Bowl XLVI) to rockin’ it out as the backing band for national artists like Luke Bryan and Kid Rock.

 

 

Since 1998, V-Groove has established itself as one of the premiere bands in the Southeast/Midwest. Their energy-packed performances range from blues, soul and R&B to funk and rock. V-Groove has shared the stage with nationally renowned artists, including Buddy Guy, Slash (of Guns ‘n Roses), Tinsley Ellis, Delbert McClinton, Ian Moore, Kid Rock and Travis Tritt.

 

Photos provided by GIE+EXPO