GIE+EXPO 2010 Bonus Preview

Learn the latest news on GIE+EXPO 2010, including the addition of opening acts to the concert lineup and the return of the New Products Arena.

Aly’an features the dynamic duo of Alyson Burke, left, and Andrea Warner.GIE+EXPO announces supporting acts to concert lineup

GIE+EXPO 2010, which will take place Thursday, Oct. 28, through Saturday, Oct. 30, at Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center, announced Sept. 17 that it has added two opening acts with universal appeal to its concert lineup for Thursday and Friday nights at 4th Street Live.

Candy Coburn, who performed at GIE+EXPO 2008, will return to open for Neal McCoy Thursday at 8 p.m. With a sound described as “southern soul rockin’ country,” this country singer will appeal to everyone. Her latest album, “Lucky” just hit stores in September, so she is sure to offer up an energetic performance.

The country duo Aly’an — Alyson Burke and Andrea Warner — will stir up the crowd with their high-energy performance Friday at 8 p.m. With sweet harmonies and upbeat melodies, along with their stage antics, Aly’an will leave the crowd wanting more. The duo will open for Heidi Newfield.

“The GIE+EXPO concert series always attracts a crowd, and we are excited to add these new acts to the lineup,” said GIE+EXPO Show Director Warren Sellers. “Exhibitors and attendees alike can get in on the fun at these free events.”

GIE+EXPO is an international trade show sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), and the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS). This year, for the first time, Hardscape North America will be co-located on the show floor on the same dates.

Pre-registration for a three-day pass to GIE+EXPO is $10 per person. Show admission for those who wait to register onsite will be $50. To pre-register online and to reserve hotel rooms, go to www.gie-expo.com. For additional information, call (800) 558-8767.

New Products Arena to showcase innovations at GIE+EXPO 

The New Products Arena is back at GIE+EXPO 2010 and set to showcase the latest innovations and products from some of the industry’s leading exhibitors and start-ups looking to make a big splash at the show, which is scheduled to take place at Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center Thursday, Oct. 28, through Saturday, Oct. 30.

 “Research indicates the No.1 reason people attend this trade show is to see new products,” said GIE+EXPO Show Director Warren Sellers. “The New Products Arena will highlight those and serve as a great orientation area for an overview of the latest items.”

Exhibitors showcasing innovations in the New Products Arena will include Agrium Advanced Technologies; Driven by Solar Inc.; Flame Engineering, Inc.; Generac Power Systems; Grass Stitcher LLC; Ground Logic Inc.; L.T. Rich Products; Lawn Shark USA; Lawn Solutions; LeafCat; TMEC Product Ltd.; TopSaw Tool LLC; Turf Teq; VP Racing Fuels, Inc.; Wright Manufacturing, Inc.; and ZTR Country, a division of Cycle Country. For a complete product listing, visit www.gie-expo.com/giee/new-products-arena.html.

And, for a more extensive overview, many exhibitors will introduce new products to the press and attendees on the New Products Arena stage during scheduled times, including Ariens, B3C Fuel, Case Construction Equipment, Exmark, Flame Engineering, Generac Power Systems, Husqvarna, Hustler Turf Equipment, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Stens, Stihl, Subaru Industrial Power Products, and Super Lawn Trucks.

Pre-registration for a three-day pass to GIE+EXPO is $10 per person. To pre-register online and reserve hotel rooms, go to www.gie-expo.com. Show admission for those who wait to register onsite will be $50. And for the latest GIE+EXPO updates, follow the show on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GIE_EXPO.

GIE+EXPO is sponsored by OPEI, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), and the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS).

Ideal invited as BMS provider for High-Performance Service Department

Ideal Computer Systems, which provides business management software for outdoor power equipment dealers, has once again been invited by Bob Clements International to be the official software provider for the High-Performance Service Department pavilion at GIE+EXPO 2010 Oct. 28-30 in Louisville, Ky.

 This year’s High-Performance Service Department will focus on inventory control, teaching dealers how to discover “hidden treasures” in their parts department. Ideal representatives will be on hand to help educate dealers on ways that industry-specific software can help them gain control of their inventory, as well as all other areas of their business, including service, customer management, sales & invoicing, accounting, purchasing and reporting.  

“I thought the High-Performance Service Department was a big success last year, and we look forward to tackling inventory control in the High-Performance Pavilion this year,” said Dennis Haefner, president of Ideal Computer Systems. “It is an honor to be chosen to participate again as the business management software company in the pavilion.”

Bob Clements International, regarded as one of the top consulting firms for OPE dealers, is once again heading the event. New to this year’s pavilion will be dealer panel discussions led by Bob Clements and featuring pavilion sponsors. Joining Ideal as pavilion sponsors are ARI, Ariens, Briggs & Stratton, Cub Cadet, Heftee, Husqvarna, Hustler Turf Equipment, Kohler, Schiller Grounds Care, Stens and Stihl. 

“We are trying to provide an environment at the GIE+EXPO that shows dealers what the possibilities are for their Parts Department,” said Bob Clements, president of Bob Clements International. “Having a good business management system, along with the right organization and good processes, will catapult their dealership to new heights in profitability.”

In addition to the High-Performance Service pavilion, dealers may also view Ideal’s software and speak with company representatives in booth #5004 at GIE+EXPO.

To learn more about Ideal, visit www.idealcomputersystems.com.

c-Systems customer to be featured in seminar at GIE+EXPO

A few months ago, Lynn Pesson Jr., president of Southland Engine Company, Inc., Lafayette, La., discovered how much time he and his employees wasted on easily correctible things.

 Lynn Pesson Jr.“We spent 5 minutes of every hour just looking for tools,” he said.

Labeling tools was just one of the many “lean” changes c-Systems customer Pesson implemented to streamline his business over the last few years. Now he’ll pass his knowledge on during “The Dealer Experience” at GIE+EXPO 2010, which will be held Oct. 28-30 in Louisville, Ky.

“We’ve implemented the lean polices,” he said. “We’ve been doing it, and a lot of dealers don’t know how.”

Pesson is scheduled to give his perspective on how employee leadership can streamline business in the Gravely-sponsored “Increased Profitability When Employees Drive Lean” seminar from 11 a.m. to noon on Oct. 29 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

“The owner can’t see the whole process,” he said. “Your employees do.”

The main result of Pesson’s efforts has been a better work environment. He said his costs have been lowered, his employees work fewer hours, and his customers are happier.

“Change is very difficult for a lot of people,” he said. “You have to make the changes because the world’s changing around you. If you don’t, your bottom line’s going to shrink.”

Southland Engine is the largest-volume Gravely dealership in the world and was featured in the cover story in the March 2010 issue of Outdoor Power Equipment magazine.

For more information about c-Systems Software, visit www.csystemssoftware.com.