Perks At GIE+Expo 2013
(Louisville, KY) - With two new breakfast workshops just added, the roundup of benefits at the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) is now complete. Seminars and workshops led by industry experts, hardscape demonstrations, hands-on demos of hundreds of new products, networking, best-practice tips and giveaways - it's a formula for a high return on investment.
"This year's show, Oct. 23-25, is a must-attend event for lawn and landscape pros who are looking to move their businesses to the next level," said Warren Sellers, GIE+EXPO director. "With the combination of new products, exciting exhibitor-sponsored events, educational opportunities and the collocation of Hardscape North America (HNA), GIE+EXPO is an extremely valuable business investment for attendees."
GIE+EXPO Workshops , Including Two Just-Added "Brain Food for Breakfast" Workshops
Pros interested in improving profitability will have a variety of valuable opportunities to learn. The GIE+EXPO Workshops offer a sample of the full conference program specifically for contractors and lawn and landscape professionals. Two recent additions bring the total number of workshops to eight. Each session is $50, and preregistration is required.
The additions, titled "Brain Food for Breakfast," will each include a light breakfast:
Thursday, Oct. 24, 7:30 - 9:15 a.m.
Common Problems, Simple Solutions.
An under-the-hood look at the office system that propels one of the industry's most successful companies.
Mark Bradley started TBG Landscape in 1997; in just over 10 years he grew TBG to one of the Top 100 landscape companies in North America. But you don't grow that big, that fast without finding simple, sustainable solutions to a lot of hard problems along the way. Mark will guide landscapers through 10 simple systems that solve the problems that hold back the potential of so many landscape businesses. Attendees will learn how Mark's company sets up accounting so it's useful, builds a plan for profit, calculates the right price for every job, sets up estimates for easy job costing, merges payroll and job costing, motivates employees to think like owners and much more.
Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 - 9:15 a.m.
Calculating Your Equipment's Owning and Operating Costs
Many contractors don't realize the purchase price of a piece of yellow iron is one of the least expensive components in an owning-and-operating formula. Labor, fuel, maintenance, repairs, taxes and resale value must also be calculated. Landscapers will learn the elements of a sound O&O calculation for the three most commonly used pieces of equipment in landscape construction - the skid steer, compact excavator and backhoe - as well as how to accurately price the work done with these machines by the hour or ton or cubic yard or any other measurement.
19 Acres of Outdoor Productivity
The 19-acre Outdoor Demonstration Area is a pro's No. 1 chance to inspect the engines, test the handling and experience the power of the industry's newest products - all in one place. Open all day Thursday and Friday and just steps from the indoor exhibits, it's where attendees can test drive the equipment they've seen on the indoor show floor. New this year, an Official Outdoor Must-See Exhibits Guide will be distributed prior to the show and on-site to help attendees navigate the demo park.
The hardscape demonstrations offered under the HNA Outdoor Arena tent are designed to help landscapers add new services or improve their hardscape installation techniques. Attendees can upgrade their tradeshow admission for just $25 to include the six demonstrations. Or sign up to attend one of the two hardscape sessions included in the GIE+EXPO Workshops for an automatic upgrade.
Hardscape North America Installer Championship
Top hardscape contractors from three countries will compete in the Hardscape North America Installer Championship during the show. Competitors from Canada, the United States and Mexico will test their understanding of industry best practices and guidelines, safety, quality and craftsmanship in a race against the clock and other top installers.
Travel Package Giveaway
One lucky registrant will win a $2,000 travel package including a $500 gift card for expenses, a luxury suite for three nights in The Seelbach Hilton Hotel, $100 in gift cards for local restaurants, $50 for souvenirs at the Visitor Information Center and VIP seating at the GIE+EXPO concerts.
The free concert series is set for GIE+EXPO 2013 at 4 th St. Live!, the city's popular downtown entertainment and dining venue. Wednesday night will feature country music star Craig Morgan and the Jamie McLean Band, Thursday will be Three Dog Night and "The Voice" singer Angie Johnson, and on Friday Holly Williams and Olivia Henken will take the stage, which will be sponsored all three nights by Nissan Commercial Vehicles.
Fabulous Friday
A big hit last year, the $10,000 Friday Giveaway will start at 1 p.m. on Friday. Winners must be present to win $1,000 at 1 p.m., $2,000 at 2 p.m., $3,000 at 3 p.m. and $4,000 at 4 p.m. To be eligible, register for GIE+EXPO. An entry form will be mailed along with badges and will include instructions for returning it on-site.
Registration
Now the 9 th largest tradeshow in North America, GIE+EXPO is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc., Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) and Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). For information and online registration for the tradeshow, GIE+EXPO Workshops and hardscape demonstrations: www.gie-expo.com . Other contact points: Facebook , info@GIE-EXPO.com and 800-558-8767/812-949-9200.