#United States #Louisville #Equip Exposition #OPEI #Trade Show Executive

Equip Exposition Celebrates Major Award Wins

The Equip Exposition, renowned for being the largest annual congregation of contractors, landscapers, and outdoor equipment manufacturers, recently made headlines by securing the prestigious title of "The Greatest Trade Show of 2024" during the Trade Show Executive's Gold 100 Awards and Summit held in Palm Springs. This accolade highlights the event's prominence in the industry, as it also clinched the highly coveted "Against All Odds Award", solidifying its position as the third-largest trade show in the United States.

Kris Kiser, the President of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which oversees the Equip Exposition, celebrated the achievement, emphasizing the exceptional performance of the team despite the challenges faced during the previous year. As Kiser noted, a significant cyber-attack on their registration system occurred just days before the opening, yet the staff overcame this hurdle to deliver an outstanding event that still surpassed all expectations—demonstrating remarkable flexibility and collaboration.

Scheduled for October 21-24, the Equip Exposition is set to take place at the Kentucky Exposition Center. This year not only marks the fourth consecutive sell-out of the exhibit space, but it has also sold out in record time—an impressive feat in the show's history. The event drew in approximately 28,500 registered professionals in 2024, and expectations are high for this year's numbers.

Kiser reaffirmed that the outdoor industry is in a dynamic phase of growth and adaptation, with Equip continuously striving to evolve. By offering fresh programming, engaging events, and unique experiences, they aim to cater effectively to their audience, which includes landscapers, dealers, and outdoor power equipment manufacturers. The Equip Exposition serves as an exceptional opportunity for professionals involved in landscape, hardscape, irrigation, and tree care to connect.

Since OPEI assumed full management of the trade show and rebranded it in 2022, Equip Exposition has received 15 nominations for Grand Awards. The event has already been recognized for its innovativeness, having won accolades like