GIE+EXPO 2016 has arrived

It’s showtime, and Louisville, Ky., is the place to be this week. GIE+EXPO 2016 takes place this week at the Kentucky Exposition Center, and the industry’s biggest event has plenty to offer, including the GIE+EXPO trade show and outdoor demonstration area, Hardscape North America, LANDSCAPES 2016, the all-new UTV University, and more.

GIE+EXPO’s 2016 dates are Wednesday, Oct. 19 (Dealer Day) and Oct. 20-21 for all industry participants. The annual event is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc. (OPEI), Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) and National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). HNA is sponsored by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI).

Two trade shows — GIE+EXPO and Hardscape North America — are co-located in one central location, and provide your number one opportunity to see what your industry is buzzing about. GIE+EXPO and HNA feature:

  • 19-acre Outdoor Demonstration Area, within easy walking distance of the indoor exhibits.
  • Over 750 exhibits and a New Products Showcase make these prestigious shows an exceptionally efficient, productive marketplace. See outdoor power equipment, along with products for landscapes, gardens, outdoor leisure, hardscapes and light construction.
  • Education and training for all industry segments

“This show brings together such a wide variety of industry stakeholders and provides a rare opportunity to view the latest and greatest product innovations – all under one roof,” said Mark Johansen, director of marketing, Kohler Engines. “We’ve participated from the very beginning and will be expanding our booth as part of our ongoing commitment to engage attendees in unique and memorable ways.”

After maxing out its space in the South Wing last year, Hardscape North America will move to the North Wing to allow for its continued growth. Admission to the hardscape exhibits – both indoors and out – is included with GIE+EXPO registration. This co-location gives landscape professionals the opportunity to see a wide range of related new products and explore ways to tap into the growing hardscape market. In addition, a $25 upgrade will give landscape pros access to live hardscape demos, which will feature a continuous build for the first time.

In addition, landscapers are invited to attend HNA’s Thursday morning keynote featuring Papa John’s Pizza founder and CEO John Schnatter. The Papa John’s pizza business was founded in 1983 when “Papa” John Schnatter knocked out a broom closet in the back of his father’s tavern in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He then sold his 1971 Z28 Camaro to purchase $1,600 worth of used pizza equipment and began selling pizzas to the tavern’s customers out of the converted closet. His pizzas proved so popular that one year later he was able to move into an adjoining space. Today, the company is the third largest take-out and pizza delivery restaurant chain in the world with headquarters in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, near Louisville. The $15 session fee will benefit the Louisville Zoo.

Also, back by popular demand the GIE+EXPO Workshops will feature nine sessions to help landscape pros grow their businesses. This year’s lineup will include a hardscape session, “Secrets Every Contractor Ought to Know About the Hardscape Business,” which includes admission to the hardscape demos. Other workshops, which are sponsored by the National Association of Landscape Professionals, include topics such as marketing strategies, how to increase business with QuickBooks, coaching and managing employees to improve performance and avoidable mistakes that can affect your profits.

 

 

Thursday, October 20

8 – 9 a.m.

Opening Keynote: John Schnatter, Founder and CEO, Papa John’s

Fee: $15 donation, which will benefit The Louisville Zoo

Sponsored by Hardscape North America

The Papa John’s pizza business was founded in 1983 when “Papa” John Schnatter knocked out a broom closet in the back of his father’s tavern in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Today, the company is the third largest take-out and pizza delivery restaurant chain in the world with headquarters in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, near Louisville.

 

10 – 11:30 a.m.

Hardscape Workshop: Secrets Every Contractor Ought to Know About the Hardscape Business

Frank Gandora, President, Creative Hardscape Company

Learn insider secrets of running a successful hardscape company. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Frank Gandora has worked with some of the best manufacturers, CEOs and contractors in the business. He combines their strategies and best practices to run his own successful business. In this session, you’ll learn the tips, tricks and secrets he and other top contractors use to set themselves apart as leading hardscape contractors.

 

1 – 2:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 1: 50 Shades of Gray – Identifying, Clarifying, and Choosing Marketing Strategies that Work

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

Making efficient decisions regarding your marketing dollars is key to growing your business. Unfortunately, the marketing options can seem endless. This presentation will address the biggest marketing challenges by examining the latest trends and reviewing tried and proven methods. Attendees will learn about marketing strategies, target marketing and 5 simple practices to increase sales.

 

3 – 4:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 2: 5 Steps to Increasing Your Profitability with QuickBooks

Monica Muir, Muir & Associates, LLC, National Association of Landscape Professionals Consultant

Frustrated with QuickBooks? Often the issues are due to features missed in setup and procedures that impact workflow and reporting. Learn 5 steps that can help you increase your profitability with desktop QuickBooks. With just a few changes in setup and procedure, you’ll have more reporting options and new ways to streamline your workflow.

 

Friday, Oct. 21

8 – 9:30 a.m. [breakfast sandwich & coffee provided]

NALP Workshop 3: How Not to Sell Your Business

Ron Edmonds, Principium Group, National Association of Landscape Professionals Consultant

It is estimated that only 25% of businesses are successfully sold. For businesses under $1 million in sales or less than 10 employees, the percentage is even lower. A business is usually an owner’s most significant asset, and many are relying on their businesses to finance their retirement. But these statistics paint a challenging picture. Learn why businesses don’t sell, as well as why they do. This session will focus on how you can improve your odds of a successful exit from your business – on your terms and timetable.

 

8 – 9:30 a.m. [breakfast sandwich & coffee provided]

NALP Workshop 4: Coach, Evaluate, and Manage Your Employees the Right Way – They Will Give You the Results Your Company Needs to Go to the Next Level!

Steve Cesare, The Harvest Group, National Association of Landscape Professionals Consultant

This hands-on workshop will give you the key components of employee discipline, performance management and evaluations. Participants will learn how to improve employee job performance, increase procedural consistency and sustain organizational success while being legally compliant and meaningful for the employees.

 

10 – 11:30 a.m.

NALP Workshop 5: Building Your Proposal the from Ground Up

Richard Arlington, of Rich Arlington & Associates, National Association of Landscape Professionals Consultant

Want to know how your financial statement can help you get to the price that makes money? Show customers and your staff that you know what you’re doing using simple steps to achieve success. In this session, attendees will learn how to calculate their breakeven point, the difference between markup and margin, and how to account for efficient factors.

 

10 – 11:30 a.m.

NALP Workshop 6: Make More Profits, Create More Free Time, and Grow Your Landscape Business Organically by Avoiding These Three Massive Mistakes

Domenic Chiarella, 7 of 7 BEST Business and Life Strategies, LLC, National Association of Landscape Professionals Consultant

Learn the three mistakes that are present in every company, how to avoid them and tools for solving them. Find out why it is important to have these areas working for you in order to grow profits and gain an understanding of real tools in each area that can be implemented immediately into your business.

 

1 – 2:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 7: 10 Things Every Land Care Operator Needs to Know About Financial Statements

Dan Gordon, Turfbooks.com, National Association of Landscape Professionals Consultant

Most owners and managers in the land care industry understand how to build beautiful backyards, make lawns green and give curb appeal to their customers’ properties. However, many struggle to understand their financial statements, budget for growth and profitability and effectively manage accounts payables and receivables. In this session, attendees will gain an understanding of these important financial concepts in order to evaluate where their business has been, where it currently is, and if and how it will progress in the future.

 

3 – 4:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 8: Optimize Your Cash Flow and Get Paid Faster

David Tulkin, Fundbox, National Association of Landscape Professionals Consultant

Cash flow is essential to business success. 64% of small businesses experience late payments, and landscapers are no exception. Chances are if you invoice on net-terms, you have funds tied up in receivables that you need to make payroll, buy supplies or take on the next big job. This informative session will cover key steps to taking control of your cash flow and utilizing technology to optimize your invoicing workflow. It will also cover traditional and alternative types of financing available to landscape owners.

Registration in advance is required. NALP Workshops: $85; Hardscape Workshop: $50; Opening Keynote: $15 (to benefit the Louisville Zoo). Those who register for the Hardscape Workshop listed above will also be admitted free to the technique demos in the HNA Outdoor Arena tent. See below. Those who only want to attend the HNA Demonstrations and tradeshow can upgrade their registration for $25 to include all the following demos. Register for all sessions online at www.gie-expo.com.

 

 

Hardscape Demonstrations

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

 

This year the format for the Hardscape Demonstrations will be a continuous build, which will happen during show hours in the HNA Outdoor Arena with 1-hour featured demonstrations starting at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

 

Thursday, Oct. 20

11 a.m. – noon

Paver Installation

Bill Gardocki, Owner, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc.

Marc Larsen, Owner, Mountain West Paver Specialists

 

1 – 2 p.m.

Tools of the Trade

Bill Gardocki, Owner, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc.

Tom Gardocki, Hardscape Operations Foreman, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc.

 

3 – 4 p.m.

Basic Wall Building

Bill Gardocki, Owner, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc.

 

Friday, Oct. 21

11 a.m. – noon

Permeable Paver Installation

Bill Gardocki, Owner, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc.

 

1 – 2 p.m.

Pillar, Step and Specialty Applications Installation

Tim Huinker, Construction Specialist, Anchor Wall Systems

 

3 – 4 p.m.

Lighting and Water Feature Installation

Jeff Hesser, Mid Atlantic Regional Sales Manager, Cast Lighting LLC

Rene Gingras, Landscape Professor, Thompson School at the University of New Hampshire

 

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.

 

GIE+EXPO’s 2016 dates are Wednesday, Oct. 19 (Dealer Day) and Oct. 20-21 for all industry participants. The annual event is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc. (OPEI), Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) and National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). HNA is sponsored by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI).

 

 

UTV University

 

The inaugural lineup of UTV University presentations at GIE+EXPO will feature proven powersports dealer training specialists and a roundtable discussion about the state of the UTV industry. The sessions will be held the first day of the show, October 19.

“Adding education for UTV dealers makes sense because GIE+EXPO is the mega marketplace for every segment of the outdoor power equipment industry including UTV manufacturers,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. “GIE+EXPO has grown significantly, and is the largest home to showcase the utility products.”

 

Wednesday, October 19

 

9 a.m. — Using Processes to Guide – Not Control – UTV Sales at Your Dealership

Mark Mooney, principal, Mark Mooney Powersports Consulting

Dealerships large and small can learn how to work from a process on the sales floor, while at the same time tailoring their approach to the individual needs of the UTV customer.

 

10 a.m. — How Merchandising UTVs on Your Showroom Floor Properly Can Grow Your Parts and Accessory Sales

Jennifer Robison, national retail specialist & visual merchandising coordinator, Tucker Rocky Distributing

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re not selling more accessories and generating more lines on your ticket, Jennifer will provide an exhaustive list of tips that can be enacted upon immediately to drive profit to your parts and accessories department.

 

11 a.m. — Following the UTV Profit Tree From Sales to Service

Ty Bello, VP sales & marketing, American Landmaster

Industry veteran Ty Bello will get dealers fired up in a myriad of ways with his effective speaking approach. He’ll walk dealers through all aspects of the store and show how the sale of a UTV can lead to profits in all of them.

 

Noon — Roundtable Discussion with UTV Manufacturers and Industry Leaders (includes lunch)

Hosted by Dave McMahon, editor in chief, Powersports Business magazine

Will take an inside look at the UTV market from the viewpoint of UTV manufacturers and other industry insiders.

 

1:30 – 3 p.m. Dealer “Kick-Off” Keynote: Selling Across Generations: Specific Actions That Drive Sales With Each Generation

Jason Dorsey, The Gen Y Guy

Knowing how to sell to each generation at the same time – and seeing the research to prove it – means the difference between fast growth and potentially millions in lost sales. Bestselling author Jason Dorsey will expose new generational truths based on his latest research that will change how you think about selling to each generation at the same time. This presentation delivers sales results through ready-to-use actions and unexpected insights that work with each generation. Sponsored by Gravely & STIHL

 

Following the keynote, the show floor will be open 3 – 7 p.m. for the Dealer Day Preview. Dealers, retailers, distributors and the media will get an exclusive sneak peek at the newest products and one-on-one time with suppliers. A free Dealer Welcome Reception begins at 5 p.m.

UTV University is free with trade show registration, but pre-registration is required. Registration for GIE+EXPO is $15 by September 8, $30 September 9 – October 16, and $60 thereafter. For information or to register, visit www.gie-expo.com.

 

Golf and Sports Turf Management Conference to be held at GIE+EXPO

Golf course superintendents and sports turf professionals will have new education opportunities at GIE+EXPO 2016 (Green Industry & Equipment Expo). The Golf and Sports Turf Management Conference, hosted by the Kentucky Turfgrass Council, will take place Thursday and Friday, October 20-21 at the Kentucky Exposition Center during the annual 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.

“Our 750 exhibits — indoors and out — include turf management equipment, lawn and garden products, light construction equipment and UTVs, so it’s a natural fit for golf course superintendents and sports turf professionals, “ said Warren Sellers, show director. “With the addition of the conference, GIE+EXPO is their one-stop shop for new products and education.”

 

Golf Sessions

 

Thursday, October 20

8:30 a.m. – Noon

 

Moderator: Pat Jones, Publisher & Editorial Director, GIE Media

 

The Story of Oakmont Country Club’s Restoration and Hosting USGA Championships

John Zimmers, Golf course Superintendent, Oakmont Country Club

Learn about the restoration of Oakmont Country Club, which hosted its record ninth U.S. Open in 2016, to its original Henry Fownes design. John Zimmers will discuss the restoration of bunkers and ditches in addition to other original architectural features of the golf course. He will also cover the removal of approximately 15,000 trees, as well as topics regarding the hosting of USGA Championships.

 

Effective Water Management for Agronomic Programs

Sam Green, Chief Operating Officer, Aqua Aid Incorporated

Sam Green will provide valuable insights on methods and technologies available to enhance water efficiency, which can lead to a reduction of usage and better conservation and protection of a valuable, essential resource.

 

Evolution of a Golf Course: A Superintendent’s Perspective

Jeff Corcoran, Manager of Golf Courses and Grounds, Oak Hill Country Club

Jeff Corcoran will discuss the evolution of Oak Hill Country Club’s Donald Ross designed East Course and the architectural changes that have been made through the years. He will also detail how those changes influenced the current long-range planning and future championships planned at Oak Hill.

 

Sports Turf Sessions

 

Thursday, October 20

1:30 – 5 p.m.

 

The Principals of Sports Turf Management Planning and Drainage

Marcus Dean, Sports Turf Manager at University of Kentucky

Marcus Dean will discuss the processes for developing a useful maintenance plan that can be applied to either cool or warm grasses. He will cover weed and disease strategies, aerification, drainage and budgeting. While the focus will be on native soil fields, Marcus will also offer some of the major differences in fields constructed with native soils vs. a sand-based root zone.

 

Sports Turf Applications for Plant Growth Retardants and Weed Control Options

Dr. Wesleny Totten, Chair Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources, University of Tennessee at Martin

Dr. Wesley Totten will cover the history of usage in turf, including sports turf. He will discuss the types and classifications of plant growth retardants, the current usage of plant growth regulators in sports turf situations and current weed control options, including timings and frequencies.

 

Sports Turf Panel: All Things Baseball – The Maintenance of Baseball/Softball Fields for Skinned and Turf Areas

Panelists:

Tom Nielsen, Head Groundskeeper, Louisville Bats Baseball Club

Thomas Trotter, Head Groundskeeper, Nashville Sounds Baseball Club

Jake Tyler, Turf Manager, Toldeo Mud Hens

Each panel member will open with a brief discussion highlighting one maintenance task that all sports turf managers face. Topics will include repairing the mounds and home plate; fertility and repair of the turf areas; and grooming and maintenance of the skinned areas. After addressing questions on these topics, the panel will expand on other critical issues, such as turf areas, fertility, weed control, construction of mounds, skinned areas and warning track. They will also address qualities they look for in employees, budgeting and management of staff.

 

General Session

 

Friday, October 21

9 – 11 a.m.

 

World of Turf…Turf Managers Around the World Have Many Tools in Their Toolbox to Build their Agronomic Programs

Sam Green, Chief Operating Officer, Aqua Aid Incorporated

This session will provide a whirlwind tour from all areas of the world with examples of different approaches to the management of turf. From equipment and staffing to problem solving, Sam Green will discuss a multitude of diverse problems and issues and share the unique and creative solutions used to solve them.

 

Groundskeeping Abroad and Making Events Work on Fields at All Levels

Luke Yoder, National Sports Field Specialist for Ewing

Luke Yoder will discuss his experiences working on professional fields in Korea, Sweden and the Dominican Republic. These experiences include new field construction, field renovation and teaching best maintenance practices working with what they have. The discussion will also include tips and methods for hosting up to 100 events per year while still maintaining a field up to MLB standards for 81 home games.

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. Registration for GIE+EXPO is $15 by September 8, $30 September 9 – October 16, and $60 thereafter. For information or to register, visit www.gie-expo.com.