The Dealer Experience, sponsored by STIHL and the Ariens Co. and hosted by the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) and Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), is back for this year’s GIE+EXPO (Green Industry and Equipment EXPO) and will offer many benefits to dealers of all sizes, including:
- Education (Oct. 23 and 24) that provides dealers step-by-step recommendations for profitability
- Exclusive early-morning entrance to tradeshow floor
- Access to the Green Industry Expo™ Workshops
- A summary of sessions as a follow-up
- A Dealer Club for relaxing, checking e-mail, enjoying refreshments and networking
- Lunches and other networking opportunities with dealers from around the world
- Panelists from throughout the U.S.
- A unique, crystal-ball look into the future of the OPE industry with an informal discussion between Fred Whyte, president of STIHL, and Dan Ariens, president of Ariens Co.
The moderators for the educational sessions will be Bob Clements, BCI, on Thursday and Thomas Holdsworth, Skills USA, on Friday.
Schedule: The Dealer Experience – Your Guide to Profitability
Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky.
Thursday, Oct. 23 (opening day for GIE+EXPO)
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Dealer Club facilities open
8 – 9 a.m. Exclusive access to tradeshow for dealers and retailers
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tradeshow open
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Outdoor demo area open
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Session 1: Build Beneficial Relationships with Contractors to Build Your Bottom Line
- Jeremy Eck, Spruce It Up Inc., Springfield, Mo.
- Todd Reinhart, Reinhart Grounds Maintenance Inc., Bloomington, Ill.
- Kurt Bland, Bland Landscaping Co., Apex, N.C.
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Session 2: What’s Next: A Look at the Future of the OPE Industry and the Current Energy Situation –
A conversation with Fred Whyte, president of STIHL, and Dan Ariens, president of Ariens Co. John Felmy, chief economist with the American Petroleum Institute, will discuss the fuels marketplace – including refining capacity, prices and the current supply/demand situation. Dealer lunch/$15 per participan
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Session 3: Propel Your Company to Success with Value-Driven Marketing Practices
- Jeff Smith, Twin City Outdoor, West Monroe, La.
- Ralph Helm III, Ralph Helm Inc. Lawn Equipment Center, Elgin, Ill.
- Shaun O’Connor, O’Connor’s Lawn & Garden, Oklahoma City, Okla. Kevin Hansut, Gulf Coast Tractor & Equipment, Land O’Lakes, Fla
6:30 p.m. Free Bluesbusters concert sponsored by Briggs & Stratton at 4th Street Live!
8 p.m. Free 38 Special concert sponsored by Briggs & Stratton at 4th Street Live!
Friday, Oct. 24
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Dealer Club facilities open
8 – 9 a.m. Exclusive access to tradeshow for dealers and retailers
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tradeshow open
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Outdoor demo area ope
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Session 4: Successful Business Planning 101
- Lynn Pesson, Jr., Southland Engine Company, Lafayette, La.
- Tim Ahearn, Ahearn Equipment, Inc., Spencer, Mass.
- Phil Jacobi, Jacobi Sales, Palmyra, Ind.
- Carl Levien, Carl’s Mower & Saw, Ferndale, Wash.
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Session 5: Yard & Garden’s 6th annual Dealers in Excellence Awards Presentation, sponsored by Ariens, STIHL, Equipment & Engine Training Council and GIE+EXPO. Dealer lunch/$15 per participant
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Session 6: Valuable Resources for Hiring, Training and Retention
- Tom Rigg, Riggs Mowers & More, Valparaiso, Ind.
- Scott Jardine, Arn’s Equipment Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Terry Coffin, Beard’s Outdoor Power Equipment, Crestwood, Ky.
- Barden Winstead, Land & Coates, Virginia Beach, Va.
7 p.m. Free Candy Coburn concert sponsored by Ariens, Gravely and Stens at 4th Street Live!
8:30 p.m. Free Lonestar concert sponsored by Ariens, Gravely and Stens at 4th Street Live!
Saturday, Oct. 27
8 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Dealer Club facilities open
8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Exclusive access to tradeshow for dealers and retailers
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tradeshow open
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Outdoor demo area open
Fred J. Whyte, president, STIHL Inc., said his company is very enthusiastic about their involvement in The Dealer Experience. “As a manufacturer that sells only through independent servicing dealers, it simply makes sense for STIHL to support dealers in their quest for knowledge and success in the industry.”
“This educational forum has been designed to enhance networking among independent dealers with a concentrated focus on profitability,” said Dan Ariens, president, Ariens Company. “I’m confident that time at The Dealer Experience will be well spent. Sometimes an opportunity for sharing best practices is exactly what you need to find those ideas that energize your business for the rest of the year.”
Pre-registration is required for The Dealer Experience – Your Guide to Profitability. The sessions are free except for $15 for each lunch on Oct. 23 and 24. Pre-registration for a three-day pass to the tradeshow is $10 per person. The tradeshow admission for those who wait to register onsite will be $50. To register online for the ‘Experience’ and the tradeshow, go to www.gie-expo.com. Dealers who register online will be eligible for a drawing for two American Airlines tickets to anywhere in the Caribbean, sponsored by Ariens and American Airlines. Additional details about the show are available on the Web site (www.gie-expo.com) or by calling Sellers Expositions, 800/558-8767 or 812/949-9200.
