Equip Exposition Issues Tips for First-Timers to the Blockbuster Trade Show Think Through Logistics, Plan for Learning, Networking & Fun

LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the landscapers, dealers, contractors, hardscape experts, and outdoor power equipment manufacturers attending Equip Exposition for the very first time, it's important to go into the award-winning trade show with a plan.

"Do your homework and make a schedule. Download the app ahead of time, book your hotel room now, and be sure to wear comfortable shoes," advises Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns and manages Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment exposition. The Equip app is sponsored by CASE Construction Equipment.

The show, which boasts more than a million square feet of exhibit space, is held October 21-24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) and drew more than 28,500 people last year.

Equip offers these tips to help first-time attendees to plan for the best experience possible:

Before the Show

1. Register now. If you're registered, you will receive Equip's regular emails about everything going on at the show. Sign up at EquipExposition.com for $30 before prices double to $60 on September 5. On October 20, the price doubles again. Don't get stuck paying full price ($120) onsite.
2. Add education, certification classes, and training to your registration before sessions sell out. Explore ways to grow your businesses, address common problems, and develop employees. Other sessions will cover irrigation, pesticide management, tree and shrub pruning, outdoor lighting and more. Select classes, including the popular From Worker to Leader course, are available in Spanish.
3. Book travel arrangements and hotel reservations. Last year, the show sold out the city's hotels (some are on a complimentary shuttle route) and attendees booked 32,000 rooms.
4. Bring your teammates from your company (if you are a landscaper) or your contractor customers (if you are a dealer). Equip is a fantastic team building opportunity, through shared educational experiences and testing new equipment to having fun at concerts with one another. This makes acting on new knowledge and ideas when home easier.
5. Determine the top three business problems you are trying to solve. Look at the speakers, exhibits, and education offerings and identify the ones that will help you the most.
6. Download the Equip Expo app, sponsored by CASE Construction Equipment. The app is your event guide. It works with any Android or iPhone. Find the Event Schedule with start times for sessions and maps for the entire facility, where the biggest giveaways are held, and more. Favorite events or locations to build a custom schedule.
7. Plan your route. Many attendees drive to the show so it's important to map the route from your hotel to the Kentucky Exposition Center and other venues, and look at available shuttles or rideshares.
8. Learn the main areas of the show. 
• The North Wing has registration, exhibits, and badge pickup.
• The South Wing has exhibits, Mulligan's Mutt Madness, the Education Center, and easy access to the Outdoor Demo Yard and the UTV Driving Experience.
• The West Wing is loaded with exhibits, food options (as well as the rideshare pickup/drop off zone).
• Freedom Hall will host Tree Care Arena, sponsored by Altec.

At the Show

1. Don't get stuck in traffic. For ease of entry, don't use the main gate at the show's rush hour. If you are coming later than 10 a.m., use Crittenden Drive gate or the Preston Highway gate and park on the North side, which is the best way to enter the KEC. Leave via a similar route to avoid any bottlenecks at the main gate. Parking at the KEC during the show is free!
2. Start your day in the West Wing. Ride shares and shuttles will drop off at the West Wing and there will be food options available.
3. Avoid lines for badge pickup. Print your badge at the Welcome Reception, sponsored by Caterpillar, at Churchill Downs' First Turn Club or in the North Wing at the Kentucky Exposition Center. More locations are scattered throughout Louisville hotels, the Airport, and the KEC.
4. Talk with others. Equip is a city-wide event. People in your hotel elevator and restaurant are likely attendees. Take time to meet people as you navigate the halls, stand in line, or grab a bite to eat.
5. Have fun at the events. Go to:
• Welcome Reception at Churchill Downs sponsored by Caterpillar on Tuesday evening.
• Mulligan's 5K Fun Run and Walk, sponsored by Active Dynamics, on Wednesday morning at 6:30 a.m.
• The opening keynote on Wednesday morning will feature Jesse Cole, the founder of the Savannah Bananas, and is sponsored by Kress.
• 4^th Street Live! on Wednesday
• The Morning Show at Expo sponsored by Rehlko on Thursday morning
• ENERGIZE on Thursday afternoon
• Big & Rich concert sponsored by Gravely on Thursday night

After the Show

1. Follow up with the people you met at Equip. Swap ideas and remind each other to do "that thing you said you would do" when you returned home.
2. Put new ideas you picked up at the show into action. Take that leap, do the "new thing," roll out better pricing, marketing, services, and more.
3. Register for next year's show. Planned for October 20-23, 2026.

Registration for the show is only $25 through May 31, 2025 at EquipExposition.com. Additional fees apply for select education and certification classes. Attendees are encouraged to download the Equip Expo app, sponsored by CASE Construction Equipment.

Photos for Media Use: 
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/7a492b71x9dc7vq7jgkgm/AB6JwRYzsyT7j0_BFY7DmeI?rlkey=7211mbvx09awsm21ztsn8c8vt&dl=0

Embeddable YouTube videos: https://www.youtube.com/@equipexposition

Press seeking to attend Equip are strongly urged to register and obtain media credentials in advance of the show.

Media contacts
Ami Neiberger, Four Leaf PR on behalf of OPEI, 703-887-4877, [email protected]
Debbi Mayster, Four Leaf PR on behalf of OPEI, 240-988-6243, [email protected]

About Equip Exposition
Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment exposition, is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, and is one of the top five largest trade shows in the United States. The show is a Trade Show Executive Gold 100 Grand Award Winner, and is co-located with Hardscape North America. Equip publishes "equip" magazine and is owned and managed by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, an international trade association representing manufacturers of outdoor power equipment, parts, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility and personal transport vehicles, and golf cars, and their suppliers. For more information visit www.equipexposition.com.

SOURCE Equip Exposition