Another can’t-miss show

The green industry’s largest trade show returns to Louisville, Ky., next month. Attendees have the chance to peruse 750 exhibits spread across 500,000 square feet inside the expo hall and another 19 acres of demonstration area just out back. As you start planning your schedule, here are items to add to your list.

There will be three free concerts on the Nissan Commercial stage at Fourth Street Live!:

• Montgomery Gentry, with openers Jeni Carr and TwangTown, Wednesday, Oct. 22 starting at 7:30 p.m.
• The Louisville Crashers, Thursday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m.
• Olivia Henken, finalist on “The Voice,” Friday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
   

This year there will be a spotlight on UTVs and accessories, with at least two test tracks in the demo area. Polaris has expanded its outdoor area, and will be featuring one of the test tracks. The other test track will be at the Ariens/Gravely outdoor area.

To go along with the UTV focus, all attendees will receive a raffle entry with their show badge. One winner will get their pick of a Polaris BRUTUS, GEM or RANGER Work UTV. To enter, drop off your ticket to the Polaris indoor booth by the end of the show. The $10,000 Friday Giveaway will start at 1 p.m. Winners must be present to win $1,000 at 1 p.m., $2,000 at 2 p.m., $3,000 at 3 p.m. and $4,000 at 4 p.m. To be eligible, register for GIE+EXPO and an entry form will be mailed along with badges.

GIE+EXPO is again co-located with Hardscape North America (HNA). All attendees receive free access to the indoor HNA displays, which includes the latest in pavers, concrete paving slabs, stone pavements, installation accessories, landscape lighting products, segmental retaining walls, surface treatments and more.

The top hardscape contractors from three countries will compete in the Hardscape North America Installer Championship on Thursday and Friday.

Competitors from throughout North America will test their understanding of industry best practices and guidelines, safety, quality and craftsmanship in a race against the clock and other top installers. The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) will host its annual conference sessions that are approved for continuing education credits for ICPI Certified Installers. The six sessions, plus two hardscape-themed GIE+EXPO workshops will take place on Thursday and Friday.

The Green Industry Conference (GIC), organized by PLANET, and the Professional Grounds Management Society’s (PGMS) School of Grounds Management will offer educational sessions beginning Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Two of the free educational sessions will be in Spanish from the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance. They will take place on Thursday at 1:30 and 3 p.m.

The outdoor demo area includes 19 acres of equipment to test drive. The demo area is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday.

Haven’t registered yet? What are you waiting for? Visit gie-expo.com