Officials with GIE+EXPO recently announced the schedule for the 2014 Dealer Day events at this year’s show. Dealer Day, Wednesday, Oct. 22, is an exclusive preview day for dealers, retailers, distributors and media. The Dealer Resource Pavilion will be open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and indoor exhibits will be open 3 – 7 p.m. During a welcome reception on the show floor, 5 -7 p.m., many of the exhibitors will host games, food, festivities and prizes in their booths. On Thursday and Friday the trade show and the adjacent Outdoor Demonstration Area is open to all in the industry.
Industry’s biggest event, GIE+EXPO 2014 is scheduled for October 22-24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
The Dealer Resource Pavilion is the location for free seminars for power equipment dealership owners and managers, led by dealership consultant Bob Clements. The pavilion features a showroom, along with a parts and service department where Bob and his team share their latest ideas and tips on how to turn slow seasons into profitable seasons, improve your bottom line in the parts and service departments and more.
Free Management Classes by Bob Clements
Dealer seminars led by Bob Clements offer real, business-improving information free of charge.
- Wednesday, October 22, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Dare to Be Different
- Thursday, October 23, 11 a.m. – Noon —Add Dollars to Your Bottom Line by Improving Your Service and Parts Departments’ KPIs
- 2 – 3 p.m.—Get Out of Your Financial Rut and Generate Instant Income
- Friday, October 24, 11 a.m. – Noon—Radically Transform Your Dealership by Improving Your Absorption Rate
- 2 – 3 p.m.—Turn Your Slow Season into a Profitable Part of Your Year
Tech Training & Certification
Tech training – priced $30-$45 for each class – will be in the exposition center’s East Hall on Wednesday and are offered through the Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC).
- Wednesday, October 22, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.—Basic Tech Classes: Fuel Service Training, Carburetor Systems/Diagnostics 101, Electrical Basics 101, Propane Fuel Systems 101. Choose one at $30 each.
- 8 – 11 a.m. —Advanced Tech Classes: Two-Stroke Engine Failure Analysis, Four-Stroke Engine Failure Analysis, Compact Diesel Engine Failure Analysis, Drivetrain Systems. Choose one at $45 each.
- 10 a.m. – Noon—Basic Tech Classes: Fuel Service Training, Carburetor Systems/Diagnostics 101, Electrical Basics 101, Propane Fuel Systems 101. Choose one at $30 each.
- Noon – 3 p.m. —Advanced Tech Classes: Two-Stroke Engine Failure Analysis, Four-Stroke Engine Failure Analysis, Compact Diesel Engine Failure Analysis, Drivetrain Systems. Choose one at $45 each.
- 1 – 3 p.m. —Basic Tech Classes: Fuel Service Training, Carburetor Systems/Diagnostics 101, Electrical Basics 101, Propane Fuel Systems 101. Choose one at $30 each.
Dealer Summit
Back by popular demand, the Dealer Summit has been expanded to three sessions this year. Thursday and Friday mornings begin with panel discussions that include a breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Both days are sponsored by the North American Equipment Dealers Assn. Thursday’s session features manufacturers, addressing questions and issues important to dealers’ future and profitability. It is followed by a presentation of new research about landscapers’ buying and attitude trends. Friday morning’s focus is on dealer best practices.
- Thursday, October 23, 8 – 9:30 a.m. —Dealer Summit Breakfast: The Crystal Ball Manufacturers’ Panel. $25
- 10 – 10:55 a.m. —Dealer Summit Special Report: Contractor Buying and Attitude Trends. $15
- Friday, October 24, 8 – 9:30 a.m. —Dealer Summit Breakfast: Dealer “Best Practices” Panel. $25
For information and online registration for GIE+EXPO and the dealer education program: call 800-558-8767/812-949-9200; visit www.gie-expo.com.