LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Show organizers said GIE+EXPO, the international landscape, outdoor living and equipment exposition, will take place as planned this year on October 21- 23 at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) in Louisville.
The show organizers also promise to design and develop
a show and educational programming with all necessary safety protocols in place
in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everyone is asking if GIE+EXPO is happening. What I can say is the
show is expected go on. We’re planning for it,” said Kris Kiser, president of
the Outdoor
Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), managing partner of GIE+EXPO.
OPEI is actively working with its tradeshow partners – the National
Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and the Professional Grounds
Management Society (PGMS) – to design a safe and responsible event that will
offer programming and education that directly addresses the challenges faced by
the pandemic. Also returning, held in conjunction with GIE+EXPO, is Hardscape
North America, a long-standing, co-located trade show.
“Our partners and our longtime show management, are working hard to
create and ensure the safest experience for attendees and exhibitors,"
Kiser said. “The affected conference and meetings, facilities, hotel and
food preparation, and transportation industries also are undertaking a
significant effort to develop protocols to operate safely in response to the
pandemic. We’ll incorporate whatever those industries come up with as best
practices.”
Kiser also said, “GIE+EXPO is fortunately held at the KEC, as it
has been the last 38 years. The venue is flexible with multiple outdoor
areas and buildings. We can easily spread out. We’ve got a million square feet
and twenty acres of outdoor space at the KEC, so we’ve got a lot of room to
work with. We have additional buildings such as the West wing, Broadbent Arena
and other areas available to us that allow for expanding our show footprint as
needed. So, bring comfortable shoes because the physical
footprint may get bigger to ensure your safety.”
