Registration is now open for GIE+EXPO 2018, set for Oct. 17-19 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.

“This year’s show is a must-attend event for industry members who are looking to move their businesses to the next level,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. “With the addition of trade show hours for contractors on Wednesday and an incredible keynote in the lineup, GIE+EXPO continues to be an extremely valuable business investment for exhibitors and attendees alike.”

New Wednesday format & keynote

As a result of the show’s continued growth, a new format will be implemented, allowing contractors an extra day on the show floor. Following an earlier dealer preview on Wednesday, the indoor exhibits will open for the entire industry from 3 to 7 p.m., including a welcome reception on the show floor beginning at 5 p.m. The indoor exhibits and outdoor demonstration area will be open Thursday and Friday for all industry members.

To kick off the show on Wednesday, the four associations that sponsor GIE+EXPO and Hardscape North America—the Interlocking Concrete Paving Institute, National Association of Landscape Professionals, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and Professional Grounds Management Society—added a keynote specifically for landscape contractors. The session, set for 1:30-3 p.m., will feature Dr. Robert Ballard, oceanographer and former U.S. Navy officer.

Ballard is best known for his 1985 discovery of the RMS Titanic 70-plus years after it sank in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. He has conducted over 140 deep sea expeditions, including the first manned exploration of the mid-ocean ridge, and is credited with discovering many key chapters of human history, such as German Battleship Bismarck and President John F. Kennedy’s PT-109. He is a well-known author, a film producer of documentaries, an Explorer in Residence for the National Geographic Society and past host of its TV program “Explorer.”

In this presentation, Dr. Ballard will share his stories of exploration, environmental discovery and leadership as well as a practical approach to team building and execution. His presentation for contractors, sponsored by John Deere, is included with trade show registration.

Admission information

Admission to Hardscape North America exhibits—both indoors and outdoors—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 $50 upgrade will give landscape pros access to live hardscape demos in the HNA demo arena tent, where experts will demonstrate techniques in a continuous build format.

The GIE+EXPO Workshops will feature 10 sessions to help landscape pros grow their businesses. This year’s lineup will include two hardscape sessions with insights and tips for contractors interested in tapping into that market. Other workshops, which are sponsored by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), include topics such as marketing strategies, safety programs, developing a new generation of professionals and more.

Early bird registration is $15 through Sept. 6. Between Sept. 7 and Oct. 14, registration will be $30. After Oct. 15 , admission will be $60.