Following the largest GIE+EXPO ever, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) has announced that in 2022 it will move into 100 percent ownership of the Louisville, USA based trade show.

Since 2007, GIE+EXPO has been owned by three partners: the OPEI (the majority and managing partner); the NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals); and the PGMS (Professional Grounds Management Society).

GIE+EXPO's outside demo area

“GIE+EXPO has had an extraordinarily strong run since 2010 - posting records in attendance and booth space. Last year’s show was the biggest ever, setting record attendance levels,” says Kris Kiser, President of OPEI and managing director of GIE+EXPO. “With this change in ownership structure of the show, OPEI will own the show in its entirety.

"We’ll continue to work with our landscape industry partners to provide attendees with training and other programmatic elements at the Kentucky Exposition Center. We look forward to the continued evolution and dynamic growth of GIE+EXPO in Louisville in the future.”

2019 was the sixth record-breaking year in a row for GIE+EXPO. The show hosted more than 1,000 exhibitors and more than 20 acres of outdoor demonstration area for attendees to ride, drive, dig, and cut with the industry’s latest equipment. More than 26,500 contractors, dealers, and exhibitors attended from all 50 states and more than 40 countries.

New features at the 2019 GIE+EXPO included in-tree training from the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop, whose team of climbers demonstrated arbor safety and climbing skills in a 60-foot sugar maple erected in Freedom Hall for the purpose, as well as the second-annual Lucky’s Mutt Madness rescue dog adoption event held in partnership with the Kentucky Humane Society.

GIE+EXPO will continue to offer education, training, and certification in all segments of the Outdoor Power Equipment industry, including landscape, hardscape, lighting, snow and ice management, tree care, and irrigation for dealers, landscapers, hardscapers, distributors, and contractors.

GIE+EXPO 2020 is set for October 21-23. Attendees can expect hands-on drone training, expanded tree care demonstrations, a UTV test track, as well as continued co-location with Hardscape North America.

“OPEI has signed an extension agreement for the show from 2022-2024 with the Kentucky Exposition Center and area hotels in Louisville for the future. GIE+EXPO has always been the industry’s family reunion, and the place to be if you’re in this business,” Kris Kiser said. “We’re looking forward to continuing to work with our partners to provide the best training, education, and hands-on learning for the entire industry.”