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10 OCTOBER 2014 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com INDUSTRY NEWS HOT News Gearing up for the largest GIE+EXPO ever Excitement is building as the 2014 Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) shapes up to be the largest ever. Set to take place Wednesday, Oct. 22 (Dealer Day) through Friday, Oct. 24, at Louisville's Kentucky Exposition Center, GIE+EXPO will feature more than 130 new exhibitors, stepped- up participation from returning exhibitors, an increase in attendee registrations and high registration rates for dealer programming, with participation from all segments of the industry expected to be strong. As of Sept. 18, GIE+EXPO show officials reported the following statistics: Attendee pre-registration is 5 percent over 2013 and 20 percent over 2012. Exhibitor participation is up with more than 130 new exhibitors and an increase in space for many large-scale exhibitors. The Outdoor Demonstration Area will be the largest ever and feature some elaborate exhibits, including utility vehicle (UTV) test tracks and other exciting features. More new product introductions are expected, with more than 100 products to be displayed in the New Products Showcase and at least 25 exhibitors hosting press conferences. Hardscape North America (HNA), co-located with GIE+EXPO, will be the largest ever with pre-registration up 53 percent from 2013. Technician training and certification is expected to draw 150 participants. Dealer programming, including the opening keynote luncheon and Dealer Summit, are expected to draw 350 participants. Free mini training areas for parts, service and dealership development have been added in the Dealer Resource Pavilion. Five free management classes taught by Bob Clements are each expected to draw 200. Several companies have planned dealer meetings around GIE+EXPO. GIE+EXPO is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc. (OPEI), Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) and Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). HNA is sponsored by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI). For information and online registration go to www.gie-expo. com. Other contact points include Facebook, info@GIE-EXPO. com, Twitter @GIE_EXPO and (800) 558-8767/(812) 949-9200. New performer announced for GIE+EXPO 2014 A second headline act has been announced for the free concert series at the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) and Hardscape North America (HNA) in Louisville, Ky. Jamie Lynn Spears (pictured below) will perform Thursday, Oct. 23, at the downtown entertainment complex, Fourth Street Live! Spears will take the Nissan Commercial Vehicles stage at 7:30 p.m., and The Crashers will follow at 9 p.m. Thursday night's entertainment is sponsored by Synchrony Financial. Jamie Lynn Spears At 23 years old, Jamie Lynn is already a seasoned entertainment veteran. After five years focused on raising her daughter, the Kentwood, La., native is back in the spotlight with a sound and style that truly captures her Southern roots. Her official music debut comes in th e form of country ballad "How Could I Want More." The intensely personal lyrics — mixed with a simple song production — portray Jamie Lynn, the younger sister of Britney Spears, as wise beyond her years. "How Could I Want More" was written by Spears, along with Nashville songwriter Rivers Rutherford, who has also collaborated with Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, and Montgomery Gentry. Jamie Lynn's experiences with Rivers and other Nashville writers, including Chris Tompkins, Liz Rose, Lisa Carver and Luke Laird, made for a master class in songwriting. Jamie Lynn learned about how to bring her stories to life through music and became a part of a community that helped her figure out the kind of artist she wanted to be. The experiences paid off as Jamie Lynn now has more than 100 songs in her catalogue. Her first single already has critical acclaim and cultural heat. It was named a Taste of Country Critic's Pick, and her journey has been covered by such outlets as E!, Entertainment Tonight, BuzzFeed, MTV, CMT and more. GIE+EXPO Concert Schedule Wednesday, Oct. 22 Opening act: Jeni Carr & TwangTown, 7:30 p.m. Headliner: Montgomery Gentry, 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 1st headliner: Jamie Lynn Spears, 7:30 p.m. 2nd headliner: The Crashers, 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 Opening act: Josh Logan, 7:30 p.m. Headliner: Olivia Henken, 9 p.m.