Highlights From the 2022 Equip Expo: Innovative Workshops, Electric Equipment, and… Popcorn (Yes, Really)
This year’s Equip Expo was one for the books!
From October 18-21, over 25,000 attendees and exhibitors filled one million square feet inside the Kentucky Exposition Center and outside on the 30-acre Outdoor Demo Yard.
There were giveaways, free swag, caricature artists, mini-put contests, cornhole competitions, and much more.
The Ideal team was there in the thick of things at booths 7004 and 7006 where we welcomed over 400 new and familiar faces.
We also had the opportunity to see amazing chainsaw demonstrations, bask in the smell of freshly cut grass, and experience outdoor power equipment on a grand scale.
In case you couldn’t attend – or want to relive the event for a few glorious moments – here are highlights from the 2022 Equip Expo, the mecca of the Outdoor Power Equipment world.
The Latest & Greatest in Outdoor Power Equipment
The number one reason visitors go to Equip Expo is to see the new products, so why not test them too?
Undoubtedly, the Outdoor Demo Area was one of the greatest parts of the event. Here, attendees could dig, saw, mulch, mow, and chop as they experienced for themselves the latest and greatest outdoor power equipment (an honorable mention goes to the one lawn mower that caught fire).
Some of the most sought-after Equip Expo giveaways included a Bobcat ZT700 Mower, RYOBI Mower, a $15,000 UTV, and 4 tickets to the Indie 500!
At our booths, we found that more and more dealers were interested in features to improve their efficiencies in a tight labor market.
We shared our latest product innovations, like TargetCRM which lets you easily communicate with customers through text messaging, and Cloud which lets dealers access their entire system from anywhere, at any time.
Answering the Call for Electrification
One of the major themes of this year’s event was the emphasis on electric equipment.
Growing consumer demand for electric equipment is driving OEMs to invest in green initiatives. For example, John Deere highlighted their initiative to pursue battery-electric options for turf and compact utility vehicles.
Polaris also showcased the all-electric Ranger XP Kinetic that attendees could test at the expo’s Drive Experience and Kawasaki Engines unveiled their new line of electronic fuel injected engines.
This trend is consistent with the findings in our survey of OPE dealers across North America, where 82% of respondents said they plan on selling electric equipment at their dealerships in 2023.
Answering the call for electrification will continue to be a topic on everyone’s minds.
Educational & Training Sessions
Electrical troubleshooting, an introduction to electric riding mowers, and the opportunity to tear down and reassemble a hydrostatic transmission were just some of the Technician Training Workshops that took place this year.
By attending these workshops, technicians could get hands-on training (basic and advanced) and discounted opportunities for certification testing offered by the Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC).
There was also a new Dealer Education track for dealership managers and technicians focused on business, hiring, and the future of dealerships.
Bob Clements & Sara Hey of Bob Clements International also talked about what the future of dealerships might look like and what changes in service, parts, and sales to anticipate in the next five to 10 years.
Ideal’s Clint Sanders led part of the panel discussion on how to maximize your most profitable dealership areas with advanced tools and historical data.
The interactive session took place at 2:15 pm on October 19 and we saw over 50 dealers participate in highly engaging and lively conversation with Clint.
Did We Mention the (Free) Food?
An event recap doesn’t feel complete unless we also discuss all the delicious food opportunities.
New to this year’s Equip Expo was their First-Ever Welcome Reception kick-off event with free food and fireworks at the iconic Louisville Slugger Field.
Not to mention the delicious food trucks with mouth-watering Mexican food and southern cuisine – the finest in all Kentucky – that were available every day of the event.
At our booths, we offered hot coffee in the morning and salty popcorn in the afternoons while giving unique demonstrations of Ideal’s software based on the needs of every dealer we met.
To round things out (no pun intended), you could listen to the closing keynote speaker, Joel Sartore, while munching on a hearty breakfast on Friday morning.
We can’t wait to be back again next year!
For more of the latest OPE industry trends, insights, and statistics, check out the 2023 OPE Industry Trends Report!
