With more than 20,000 participants, GIE+EXPO is the premier industry event to catch up with colleagues, vendors and suppliers from around the world. Networking opportunities abound if you know where to look.
First, spending time walking the show floor, inside and out, is a great way to meet suppliers and manufacturers who are there to answer questions. Just like you want to talk to them, they want to talk to you. They want to know what you are looking for and hear your feedback regarding their products. Be sure to have a plan though. Use your Show Directory or print the online map to make a list of your must-see exhibitors.
“We get to talk to many other companies, talk about their issues and compare notes each year,” says Mike Neal with Arboristry Associates in Faber, Va. “It’s this type of interaction with other attendees that you can’t get anywhere else during the year that makes the show’s networking invaluable.”
Second, participate in the educational and demonstration sessions. As well as gaining valuable tips, new techniques and insight on industry trends, you never know who may be sitting right next to you. Introduce yourself and ask where they are from. The live demonstrations that take place for contractors in the Hardscape Outdoor Arena are a great place to start. These sessions are interactive and attract attendees from many segments of the industry.
Dealers, make sure you spend time in the Dealer Resource Pavilion meeting other dealers and sharing ideas. Speaking of ideas, you will not want to miss Bob Clements’ free dealer management classes. Clements and his team will offer five classes during the show this year, and all are excellent places to network with colleagues.
Once the show ends each day, there are plenty of networking opportunities during the evenings. The GIE+EXPO free concerts at 4th Street Live! are popular every year, and you will see many show attendees and exhibitors gathered in the restaurants and bars near the stage. Book dinners with new and old friends and vendors at Louisville’s dining hot spots. For some ideas, see page 48.
This year’s GIE+EXPO will be the largest show ever. With attendees and exhibitors from all over the world, there will not be a shortage of individuals to meet. “It’s a great place to draw diversified customers in one place,” says Mike Myers of Kenney Outdoor in Indianapolis, Ind. “You get to network with people from different markets and aspects of the green industry, all in one place.”
For registration information and more, visit gie-expo.com.