Visitor Registrations for EXPO 2002 Up 3 Percent

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – By the end of EXPO 2002, visitor registrations had increased 3 percent over EXPO 2001 registrations. This year the buying audience (all registrants excluding exhibitors) totaled 22,599 at the July 19-21 show in Louisville, Kentucky.  The registration categories for dealers and retailers totaled 8097, reflecting a 2 percent increase over last year.  Professional end users (combination of landscaper and general contractor registration categories) totaled 9240, showing a 9 percent increase.

Registration categories that increased:

General contractors – 35 percent increase
Merchandisers/buyers – 31 percent increase
Lawn & garden centers – 24 percent increase
Lawn & landscape professionals – 8 percent increase
Dealers/retailers – 2 percent increase

New activities for dealers included the OPE Convention & University, which preceded EXPO on Wednesday and Thursday; informal forums called “Back Porch Dealer Sessions” in the OPEI booth; Extreme Team competitions and the Walker Mowers’ obstacle course competition.

Bill Harley, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, which sponsors EXPO and the Convention/University, called the OPE Dealer Convention & University on July 17-18 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Louisville a solid success. “The educational sessions received extremely high evaluations,” he said. “We’re off to a great start and we intend to build a bigger and better program next year.”

More than 11,000 visitors registered online at www.expo.mow.org. Those who registered via the Internet were included in drawings for John Deere logo sportswear.  The winners were Ralph Wright, Wright Brothers Power LLC in Newark, OH; Mark Murphy, Nikkiso Pumps America, Inc. in Plumsteadville, PA; Beverly Blair, Blair’s Small Engine in Columbia, KY; and John Ryan of Lockport, KY. 

Indoor exhibit space decreased 10 percent.  Warren Sellers, Show Director, commented, “With the current market and the recent downturn for tradeshows in general, a 10 percent decrease could be considered fairly successful.”

This year, EXPO was included in the U.S. Government’s International Buyer Program, a program designed to encourage international sales as well as make international business even easier. Interpreters staffed EXPO’s international business center and helped visitors with business referrals. Export directories, containing complete information about exhibitors who are interested selling overseas, were available.

There were 150 new exhibitors this year including Caterpillar, which exhibited light construction equipment. Richard Oncken, Work Tool Marketing Manager for Caterpillar Inc., said, “EXPO had been on our radar for quite awhile. We decided to exhibit because we wanted to get more exposure to the landscaping market. We were very impressed. It was a large crowd, a good customer core. I know we’ll be back next year.” 

For the past two years, the New Product Showroom has been a hot attraction for EXPO visitors. This year proved to be no different. Over 100 products were on display and visitors got a sneak-peak at some of the new products just released or soon-to-be released. 

Free seminar tracks were offered for dealers and for lawn & landscape professionals. Learning opportunities also included the Dealer Backporch Sessions, Ask the Pro (for lawn & landscape pros) and Ice Breaker discussion groups where attendees could get answers about snow and ice management as a profit center for their businesses.

A bonus to attendees at the dealer seminars was that they had the chance to win a digital camera. The names were picked from the seminar evaluation cards attendees filled out. Winners had to attend both seminars on Friday or Saturday and be present to win. Gene Lisiecki from Gene’s Outdoor Equipment, Stevens Point, WI, won a camera on Friday. The winner on Saturday was Sherri Simpson from 4-Seasons Outdoor Power Equipment, Logan, OH. 

Highlights of EXPO 2002 included a “Woodstock ’69” theme party for dealers, retailers and exhibitors on Friday night and a reception for international visitors and exhibitors on Saturday. Over 800 people came to the dealer/retailer party on Friday where they networked, ate, drank and danced to live music provided by the Monarchs. 

At the Walker Mower Precision Obstacle Course competition, Walker Lawnmowers along with Kohler Engines and Enginaire gave visitors a chance to put their mowing skills to the test by seeing who can mow grass more precisely in the shortest amount of time. The winner of the competition was Chris Ulrich of Sunrise Property Maintenance in Bristol, GA. 

The Extreme Team Competition, sponsored by the Equipment & Engine Training Council at EXPO, showcased ten budding technicians sponsored by Toro, Kohler, Tecumseh, Briggs & Stratton, Hydro-Gear, Husqvarna, Kubota, Ariens and American Honda. The gold medal winner was Nate Wozniak, a highschool student from Graffton, WI.

For information on EXPO’s 20th anniversary in Louisville, July 18-20, 2003, contact Sellers Expositions, 222 Pearl St., New Albany, Ind., 47150. Phone: 800/558-8767 or 812/949-9200. Fax: 812/949-9600.  http://expo.mow.org.