Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/65550
the exhibitor floor to talk about products, pricing and agreements. And, for the first time in the history of GIE+EXPO, [the Equipment and Engine Training Council] and [the North American Equipment Dealers Association] will be offering certified training for dealership technicians." OPEI takes on public policy In the late 2000s, the outdoor power and GIE+EXPO has grown to become the ninth-largest trade show in the United States. ground-supported outdoor power equipment. Just last year, OPEI ramped up its standards work, adding staff and broadening the scope of its standards development. "Our members really depend on us to develop these important standards," said Kiser. "We just developed the first-ever ANSI standard for utility vehicles (UTVs), and we're playing a key role in developing an ANSI standard with the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) for determining available water for landscapes and estimating landscape water use." OPEI's standing in standards development, and its ability to harness resources and influence to address member concerns, brings other organizations into its fold. In 2001, OPEI absorbed the membership of the Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association (PPEMA) and took on the management of the Outdoor Power Equipment Aftermarket Association (OPEAA) in 2010. Fred Whyte, president of Stihl Inc., helped to successfully engineer the merger of PPEMA and OPEI in 2001 and said that the merger reflected a natural progression in the industry. "It used to be that there were clear lines between handheld and wheeled goods manufacturers," Whyte said. "Over time, however, the lines began to blur and there was enough consolidation in the business to warrant OPEI and PPEMA coming together under one umbrella." OPEI goes global Before "green" became an en vogue adjective preceding economy or energy, green was the term used to describe the lawn, garden and power equipment industry, symbolizing how its products help keep our community areas growing and healthy. Bringing manufacturers and suppliers together, in one central place, took form in 1984 when OPEI launched the industry's first U.S. trade show, the International Lawn, Garden and Power Equipment Exposition (EXPO). Further expansion occurred in 2007 when the Green Industry Expo (GIE) merged with EXPO, creating the first Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO). Attendees from around the world — dealers, commercial landscapers, and other buyers — could walk up to the latest products, talk to company representatives, and attend educational sessions to help generate ideas for growth and business success. In 2010, GIE+EXPO created a mega industry event by co-locating with Hardscape North America, giving dealers, retailers and distributors access to ideas, products and education on outdoor home design and improvement. As of 2011, GIE+EXPO had grown to report 17,500 participants with 750-plus exhibits, and was named the ninth- largest trade show in the U.S. by Trade Show Executive magazine. "Over many years, OPEI has done a great job of making changes to the trade show format to adapt to and meet market conditions," said Warren Sellers, president, Sellers Expositions, the managing organization for GIE+EXPO. "For example, a dramatic change will take place in 2012 when we have an exclusive day on Wednesday, October 24, for dealers and distributors and other dealer-focused events. On this dedicated day, exhibitors and retail attendees will have exclusive time on small engine equipment industry was finding itself in the crosshairs of several developments on Capitol Hill. First, emissions regulations were being finalized with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Phase 3 and California Air Resources Board (CARB) Tier 3 requirements. OPEI wanted to have someone on the front lines to make sure the final rulings were fair, consistent and clear. Second, and in many ways tied to the first issue, the media was taking aim at the outdoor power equipment industry, specifically mowers, and characterizing them as "dirty machines" that had no redeeming value. There were also signs that lawns were about to be "thrown under the bus" by WaterSense and the EPA, as well as face unprecedented attacks and restrictions. To meet these challenges, OPEI brought on someone who had a mix of legal, government affairs, public policy and Capitol Hill experience, and that was Kiser. "I originally was hired on as VP of Public Affairs and told to hit the ground running," Kris Kiser OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT MAY 2012 15