Equip Exposition Breaks Records:
More Than 27,000 at Sold-Out Show
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With more than 1 million sq. ft. of exhibits and 30 acres outside, Equip Exposition once again broke records in attendance and exhibit space sales. The award-winning trade show expanded its usual footprint at the Kentucky Exposition Center to add the West Wing this year due to space demands. The trade show for the international landscape, outdoor living and outdoor power equipment industry takes place every October in the Derby City and brings more than $21 million to Louisville.
"The 2023 show was our largest to date — in attendance, in booth sales, sponsorships and in education sessions," said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns Equip Exposition. "It shows you how much companies and manufacturers want to be part of Equip Exposition and showcase their products to landscapers, dealers and the entire industry. It is the place to be every October if you're in this business."
With co-location partner Hardscape North America, Equip Expo fully occupied the North, East and South halls of the KEC, with newly-added square footage in the West Wing.
"We've now grown to fill all of the halls and have added a big part of the West Wing to our footprint," said Kiser. "Not to mention, we have maxed out on outdoor demo space, which is one of our most popular features. It's the only show in the industry where you can dig, cut, mow, mulch and test equipment before buying. This year we also added select workshops in Spanish, a women's reception and an expanded UTV track outside."
This year's Equip Expo brought together more than 27,000 registered attendees from all 50 states and 46 countries. Landscape contractor registrations increased by 20 percent over last year, and dealers were up 5 percent.
Plans for 2024 are well under way, including a Welcome Reception at Churchill Downs, which will mark the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby in May 2024 with upgrades to the racetrack, as well as another arena concert at the Yum! Center in downtown Louisville.
"Building on the success of this year's show, we continue to incorporate new experiences for 2024. We're currently looking for talent for another Yum! Center concert and building out the slate of speakers for our education series," Kiser said. "Every year, Equip Exposition invests in and commits to making the user experience unique in response to the industry's needs, demands and market changes. So, while it will be the same show you've always loved — it will just get better."
Registration for the 2024 show is now open. Admittance to the 2024 Equip Exposition is currently at the early bird price of $25 per person.
For more information visit equipexposition.com. CEG
Bobcat in the outdoor demonstration area. (CEG photo)
Bobcat had a great setup with both indoor and outdoor demonstrations and booth setup at the Equip Exposition. Drew Kolo, marketing manager, product planning of Bobcat Company with the Bobcat L95 compact wheel loader, which brings a high bucket capacity, swift travel speeds and impressive maneuverability to the job site. (CEG photo)
John Deere shows off its snow blower attachment for its wheel loader. (CEG photo)
Wes Schmidt of Case Construction in Racine, Wis., is with the Case 321F compact wheel loader with an Arctic mounted push plow. (CEG photo)
Max Sinclair, director of marketing of Takeuchi in Pendergrass, Ga., with the Takeuchi fully electric TB20e electric hydraulic compact excavator. (CEG photo)
