Across-the-board increases result in largest GIE+EXPO ever

The 2015 GIE+EXPO (Green Industry & Equipment Expo), Oct. 21-23 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, buzzed with business indoors and out. The footprint of the show was 1.35 million square feet, over 30 acres and the size of 27 football fields, making it the largest ever for this mega show and, in fact, one of the largest tradeshows in the U.S. The industry event draws all segments of the outdoor power equipment and lawn & garden industry. This year more than 21,000 people from around the world represented an 11% increase in registration over last year.

“Both our indoor and outdoor booths were crazy busy during the show,” said Judith Ross, Regional Sales & Marketing Manager for Wright Manufacturing. “Our company focuses on the commercial customer, and we find GIE+EXPO well worth the investment. A couple of strategies in 2015 helped create synergy between our indoor and outdoor booths and build excitement. We had a live feed on the show floor of our demos outside. And, we brought a landscaper and his mower that has 6,000 hours on it, to illustrate the durability of our products.”

Hardscape North America (HNA), co-located with GIE+EXPO, also had a record attendance with a 4% increase over 2014.

There were 704 indoor exhibits, which represents a 4% increase over 2014. With 193 new exhibitors it was the largest show since the Green Industry Expo and the International Lawn, Garden and Power Equipment Expo merged in 2007. The popular New Products Showcase featured 63 companies spotlighting more than 100 products that were introduced within the past year, and more than 25 exhibitors hosted press conferences.

With sunshine and temperatures in the 70s and 80s, activity in the Outdoor Demonstration Area buzzed both days, giving attendees a chance for hands-on experience with equipment from 120 exhibitors.

The dates for the 2016 show in Louisville are Oct. 19 for dealers, distributors, retailers and media and Oct. 20-21 for everyone in the industry. The Demo Area will be open Thursday and Friday, Oct. 20 and 21. HNA, which first co-located with GIE+EXPO six years ago, has agreed to co-locate through 2018. HNA has outgrown its space and will relocate to the North Wing in 2016. This will allow GIE+EXPO to move the Dealer Resource Pavilion onto the show floor and will provide space for GIE+EXPO and HNA exhibitors to expand.