Equip Exposition is the annual event dedicated to growing landscapers’, hardscapers’, manufacturers’, and dealers’ businesses.
QUARTERLY REPORT Fall 2023
A GLOBAL EXPO This fall, we celebrated the 40 th Equip Exposition as one of the best in OPEI’s history. We welcomed a record number of attendees to Louisville from across the globe: More than 27,000 people came from 46 countries and all 50 states for a week of experiences and connection that they can’t find any- where else. In September, Trade Show Executive magazine ranked Expo as one of the five largest trade shows in the country, and chose Expo for two Grand Awards, including “Most Innovative.” This year’s event saw a 20 percent increase in landscaper registrations, and a 5 percent jump in dealers. We have active surveys out now to solicit feedback from attendees and exhibi- tors to learn how we can continue to deliver the best trade show experience. In early November, we cut the ribbon on Mulligan’s Bark Park, a dog
With a ribbon cutting, Mulligan’s Bark Park is officially open. From left: Rebecca Fleischaker, Executive Director, Louisville Downtown Partnership; Craig Greenberg, Mayor of the City of Louisville; Ameerah Palacios, President, Louisville Downtown Residents Association; Mutt Mulligan, TurfMutt Foundation Spokesdog; Kris Kiser, President of the TurfMutt Foundation; mural artist Kacy Jackson; and landscapers Jordan and John Steele of Steele Blades.
park and greenspace built in an unused city lot on Fourth Street in downtown Louisville. Expo and OPEI have a long
history in Louisville, and we wanted to be good corporate citizens and invest in our home city. – Kris Kiser
opei.org | 1605 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 703-549-7600 equipexposition.com | 209 E. Main St., Louisville, KY 40202 | 502-536-7050
EQUIP EXPOSITION BREAKS RECORDS WITH MORE THAN 27,000 AT SOLD-OUT SHOW With more than a million square feet of exhibits and 30 acres outside, Equip Exposition once again broke records in atten- dance and exhibit space sales. The award-winning trade show expanded its usual foot- print at the Kentucky Exposition Center to add the West Wing this year due to space demands. The blockbuster trade show for the international landscape, outdoor living, and outdoor power equipment industry takes place every October and brings more than $21 million annually to Louisville. “The 2023 show was our largest to date – in attendance, in booth sales, sponsorships, and in education sessions,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns Equip Exposition. “It shows you how much companies and manufacturers want to be part of Equip Exposition and showcase their products to landscap- ers, dealers, and the entire industry. It is the place to be every October if you’re in this business.” With co-location partner Hardscape North America, Equip Expo fully occupied the North, East, and South halls of the
KEC with newly added square footage in the West Wing. Kiser adds, “We’ve now grown to fill all of the halls and have added a big part of the West Wing to our footprint. Not to mention, we have maxed out on outdoor demo space, which is one of our most popular features. It’s the only show in the industry where you can dig, cut, mow, mulch, and test equipment before buying. This year we also added select workshops in Spanish, a women’s reception, and an expand- ed UTV track outside.” This year’s Equip Expo brought together more than 27,000 registered attendees from all 50 states and 46 countries. Landscape contractor registrations increased by 20% over last year, and dealers were up 5%. Plans for 2024 are well under way, including a Welcome Reception at Churchill Downs, which will mark the 150th an- niversary of the Kentucky Derby in May 2024 with upgrades to the racetrack, as well as another arena concert at the Yum! Center in downtown Louisville. Registration for the 2024 show is now open. Admittance to the 2024 Equip Exposition is currently at the early bird price of $25 per person.
QUARTERLY REPORT Fall 2023
Scenes from the show From top: Dylan Scott opened Expo’s arena concert at the KFC Yum! Center downtown, sponsored by Bobcat and SENIX; Expo opened Tuesday eve- ning with a Welcome Reception at the Kentucky International Convention Center; more than 500 people attended the show’s first-ever Women’s Leader- ship Reception, sponsored by Belgard and SiteOne; with more than 27,000 attendees from 46 countries and all 50 states, this year’s show was the biggest in Expo history; the 2023 floor was sold out again, and needed to expand into the KEC’s West Wing.
OPEI NAMES THREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS OPEI recently named three new members to its Board of Directors. The three new Board members are: Chris Keffer, President and CEO, STIHL Inc.; Joe Liotine, CEO, Briggs & Strat- ton; and Bobby Shaw, Group President, RYOBI N.A., Techtron- ic Industries Power Equipment. “We welcome our new Board members, and look forward to their insight and strategic thinking as the industry continues to evolve and face new regulatory challenges,” says OPEI President Kris Kiser. The 2023-2024 Board Executive Committee comprises: • Chair Mike Clancy, CEO, Chervon North America • Vice Chair David Thorne, Vice President, Turf & Compact Utility Business Unit, Deere & Company • Secretary/Treasurer John Wyatt, Senior Vice President and President of Outdoor, Stanley Black and Decker • Immediate Past Chair Brian Melka, Group President – Kohler Energy • Equip Exposition Show Chairman Dan Ariens, Chairman and CEO, Ariens Company Rounding out the Board of Directors are: • Klaus Hahn, President North America, Greenworks • Peter Hampton, President and CEO, Active Dynamics • Matt Nuijens, President – Residential NA, Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division • Rick Olson, Chairman and CEO, The Toro Company • Harold Redman, President and CEO, Echo Incorporated • Nelson Wilner, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Engines, Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA From left: Chris Keffer, President and CEO, STIHL Inc.; Joe Liotine, CEO, Briggs & Stratton; and Bobby Shaw, Group President, RYOBI N.A., Techtronic Industries Power Equipment
TRADE SHOW EXECUTIVE NAMES EQUIP EXPOSITION ‘MOST INNOVATIVE SHOW’ Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment exposition, received two Grand Awards in the Trade Show Executive Gold 100 Awards program: “Most Inno- vative Show” and the “Slam Dunk Award: Best New Idea.” “We are thrilled to see the hard work that goes into the show recognized by the leaders in the trade show indus- try,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, which owns Equip Exposition. More than 27,000 people attended Equip Expo this year. “These awards recognize our team’s hard work and dedication to providing the best possible show experience for landscape, lawn care, hardscape, and outdoor power equipment professionals,” says Kiser. Equip Exposition was also a finalist for “The Marketing Genius Award,” “The Best New Launch in 2022,” and “The Greatest Trade Show of 2022.” COMMERCIAL USER GUIDANCE FOR BATTERIES PUBLISHED The Battery Electric Product Committee of OPEI has pub- lished an industry guidance document to address pressing questions around the transportation of Li-ion batteries within the commercial user sector. The Hazardous Materials Regu- lations (HMR) by U.S. Department of Transportation highlights Expo and OPEI staff, from left: Evan Cox, Director of Marketing; Troy Winebrenner, Show Director; Chuck Bowen, Vice President of Com- munications; and Richard Corbett, Operations Manager
QUARTERLY REPORT Fall 2023
that Li-ion batteries are subject to the HMR when transporting for commerce purposes, with non-commercial end users not subject to the regulations. However, there are Materi- als of Trade exceptions from the full burden of the HMR for commercial users such as landscapers, arborist, dealers, and distributors when the total aggregate gross weight of all haz- ardous materials (i.e., batteries, gasoline cans, fertilizers), on the motor vehicle in commerce, does not exceed a certain weight threshold. This latest OPEI Guidance Document can be found at www.opei.org/battery-basics.
all product categories provides an initial baseline insight on 85-100% of the respective markets. The process then consid- ers informed estimates to project full market shipment levels. Also showcased at the event were perspectives from long- time OPEI contributors TraQline/The Stevenson Company, The Farnsworth Group, and Constellation Dealer Software. NORTHERN TOOL AND YTL INTERNATIONAL JOIN OPEI AS NEWEST MEMBERS The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute is pleased to wel- come Northern Tool Equipment, a manufacturer of pressure washers, generators, log splitters, compressors, sprayers, and water pumps, and YTL International, a manufacturer of log splitters, chipper/shredders, spreaders, and other products, as its newest members. As the advocacy voice of the outdoor power equipment industry, OPEI membership is open to manufacturers and suppliers of a broad range of equipment and technologies. Members and new companies expanding their product offer- ings in the market are encouraged to learn more about the benefits of membership at www.opei.org/join or by con- tacting Chuck Bowen, Vice President, Communications and Member Relations, at cbowen@opei.org. OPEI SUBMITS COMMENTS TO CARB REQUEST FOR SORE AMENDMENTS WAIVER The Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) requires that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) receive a waiver of preemption from the EPA Administrator before new emission rules can be enforced. CARB submitted to EPA the wavier of preemption request for its 2021 Small Off-Road Engine Amendments on Dec. 22, 2022. OPEI testified before EPA on June 27 and submitted written comments to the rulemaking docket on July 28 requesting EPA deny CARB’s request due to the Amendments not meet- ing the CAA requirements for a waiver of preemption. It is unclear if EPA will publish a decision before the ze- ro-emissions limits are scheduled to take effect (MY 2024).
OPEI RELEASES UPDATED INDUSTRY OUTLOOK AT 2023 MARKET STATISTICS FORUM OPEI members and invited guests assembled at the associa- tion’s Alexandria, Virginia, headquarters for a presentation of the latest industry consensus forecast of industry shipments in the U.S. and Canadian markets. The forecast’s publication and presentation was part of the larger itinerary of the annual OPEI Market Statistics Forum, which brings together invited speakers to share their per- spectives and outlooks on current market conditions. OPEI’s consensus forecast is done each quarter, using a model-based proposal from OPEI’s third-party economist, which is then reviewed and given consensus approval by a diverse panel of member company experts. The underlying basis for OPEI forecasting is the robust monthly shipment data collected from member OEMs and aggregated by a third-party data contractor, which for most
OPEI TESTIFIES AS PART OF U.S. CPSC LITHI- UM-ION BATTERY FORUM OPEI’s testimony provided sup- port for compliance in industry voluntary safety standards during the July 27 lithium-ion battery forum hosted by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
The OPEI Engine and Fuels Committee continues to monitor the situation. For additional information please contact Greg Knott, Senior Vice President, Standards and Regulatory Af- fairs, at gknott@opei.org. OPEI FILES PFAS COMMENTS On Sept. 28 EPA announced its long-anticipated final rule requiring the reporting of PFAS use, which includes importers of articles (products) and does not grant any product exclu- sions from required compliance or an allowed de minimis threshold. Reporting also includes a “look-back” to require uses in each year beginning in 2011 through 2022. Reporting is required within the next 18 months. Also, on Aug. 7, OPEI filed comments with EPA, expressing concern over its potential action to suspend/ban the neces- sary fluorination of fuel tanks broadly used by OPEI members, based on concerns related to PFAS. This pending matter is under agency authority provided by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This matter is pending in federal district court in Pennsyl- vania. A decision in the case is expected soon, and while an adverse decision poses obvious challenges for some OPEI members, the case could be appealed in the 3 rd circuit which may delay any immediate impact to the supply of fuel tanks.
The CPSC was specifically focusing on fire risks in e-bikes and other micro-mobility products, as well as the risks that may arise from the ever-growing consumer battery-powered products marketplace. OPEI highlighted the story of electri- fication in the outdoor power equipment sector as one of success, due in large part to the all-encompassing and widely adopted voluntary safety standards and product certification schemes that exist today. Ongoing dialogue on how the CPSC will support rulemaking within the micro-mobility sector will be monitored by the OPEI Battery Electric Products Committee with the ability to provide further comments if necessary. OPEI STANDARDS IN DEVELOPMENT OPEI/ANSI ISO 5395 Mower Standards – OPEI Finalizes Adoption of ISO Mower Standards: On Nov. 6, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the OPEI-pro- posed U.S. national adoption of the international lawnmower standards ISO 5395, Parts 1 (terminology and common tests), 2 (pedestrian-controlled), and 3 (ride-on). These first-time national adoptions mark significant progress towards harmonizing North American and global requirements for combustion-engine-powered lawnmowers, while at the same time including important modifications to respect the needs of the U.S. market and the effective requirements long central to the existing ANSI/OPEI stan- dards. The new standards will replace the ANSI/OPEI B71.1 and B71.4 standards following the two-year compliance transition period. Contact Dan Mustico, Senior Vice President, Govern- ment and Market Affairs, at dmustico@opei.org for additional information. B175.4:2018 Cut-off Machines Standard: OPEI has initiated the process to reaffirm the B175.4-2018 cut-off machine stan- dard without revision. The standard is currently available for
OPEI’S BOWEN NAMED TO 40 UNDER 40 CLASS Chuck Bowen, OPEI’s Vice President, Communications and Member Relations, has been named to Association Forum’s 2023 Forty Under 40 Program. Recipients were selected
based on their career accom- plishments, commitment to the industry, and their continued pursuit to advance the profes- sional practice of association management.
The Forty Under 40 Program is an opportunity to honor and celebrate individuals whose endeavors (before turning 40) have had an impact within the association management community.
QUARTERLY REPORT Fall 2023
public comment. The reaffirmation is expected to be com- pleted early-2024. Contact Greg at Knott gknott@opei.org for additional information. B175.6:2018 Hedge Trimmer Standard: OPEI has initiated the process to reaffirm the B175.6-2018 hedge trimmer stan- dard without revision. OPEI is currently seeking interested stakeholders to participate on the consensus body to review the standard. The reaffirmation is expected to be completed mid-2024. Contact Greg Knott at gknott@opei.org for addi- tional information. B71.10:2018 Fuel Systems Standard: OPEI has initiated the process to reaffirm the B71.10-2018 ground supported machine fuel system standard. OPEI is currently seeking interested stakeholders to participate on the consensus body to review the standard. The reaffirmation is expected to be completed mid-2024. Contact Greg Knott at gknott@opei.org for additional information.
ble outdoor spaces that everyone, including pets and wildlife, can enjoy. In addition, TurfMutt supports animal rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of animals in need. In the event’s fifth year, nine dogs found forever homes with Expo attendees. “Over the years Mutt Madness has matched more than 50 dogs with Expo attendees, the people who create the yards that pets and their people enjoy,” says Kris Kiser, President of the TurfMutt Foundation and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, which owns and manages the trade show. BATTERY ELECTRIC PRODUCTS COMMITTEE CONVENES TO ADDRESS U.S. CPSC, EPA ISSUES The OPEI Battery Electric Products Committee (BEPC) met in August and October to review industry U.S. Consumer Prod- uct Safety Commission comments regarding their outreach to better understand battery safety around micro-mobility devices and other consumer products, such as, lawnmow- ers. The BEPC also published a Materials of Trade compliance guidance document that highlights how Lithium-Ion batteries are transported for commercial purposes. Ongoing dialogue around the EPA Energy Star considerations for electric OPE and how regulators may treat battery state of charge for ship- ments will continue with the next BEPC meeting scheduled for December.
OPEIC PARTICIPATES IN PLASTICS REGISTRY ADVISORY GROUP OPEI Canada accepted an invita- tion to participate in the Cana-
dian Electrical and Electronic Equipment Technical Working Group hosted by Plastics Reg- ulatory Affairs Division of the Environment and Climate Change Canada.
5TH ANNUAL MUTT MADNESS EVENT AT EQUIP EXPOSITION BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND No one gets you outside faster than your dog, and the TurfMutt Foundation’s message of getting outside and caring for green spaces was be on full display at Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living and equipment exposition. The TurfMutt Foundation is dedicated to educating people on ways to create purposeful and environmentally-responsi-
Since the July 5 initial meeting the goal was to review the development of the registry, and discuss registry subcatego- ries and registry collection calculations for each product sub- category. OPEI believes the registry would duplicate current EPR obligations and potentially add more cost to consumer products. Advocacy outreach will continue within Canada to express industry concerns.
TURFMUTT FOUNDATION FUNDS NEW CITY OF LOUISVILLE DOG PARK
A new dog park, dubbed “Mulligan’s Bark Park,” has opened in downtown Louisville on Fourth Street that will surely have happy dog tails wagging. Built on a lot belonging to the City of Louisville, the park will provide a place for dogs to socialize off-leash, have some fun and get exercise. “The reasons to live and work in downtown Louisville keep getting better,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “As we continue to invest in and grow our downtown green spaces, we want to have something for all parties involved, including our beloved four-legged friends. I cannot wait to bring my dog River to enjoy the Bark Park!” The project renovated an unused city lot near the cor- ner of Fourth Street and Broadway in downtown Louisville, including adding new sod, fencing and benches, as well as a large, colorful mural of Mulligan the TurfMutt. “We are thrilled to partner with the City of Louisville to bring Mulligan’s Bark Park to downtown Louisville,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which encourages people to care for and use the green space around them, while also supporting animal rescue, rehabilita- tion and rehoming. “Louisville is home for me and my rescue dog, Mulligan, and our trade show offices are on Main Street. We have a long history in Louisville. We wanted to be good corporate citizens and invest in our home city.” The TurfMutt Foundation is the education and out- reach arm of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and award-winning Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living and equipment exposition headquartered in Louisville and one of the largest trade shows in the country. Equip Exposition takes place at the Kentucky Exposition Cen- ter in October, and this year celebrated its 40 th anniversary in the city. As part of its Equip Expo programming, the TurfMutt Foun- dation also gets show attendees out into the city. The annual Mulligan’s Fun Run & 5K stepped off from Louisville Slugger Field and took participants across the Big 4 pedestrian bridge and through Louisville’s Waterfront Park. The Foundation also works with the Kentucky Humane Society to host Mulligan’s Mutt Madness, a national dog adoption event held during the trade show. At this year’s event, nine dogs found forever homes with show attendees.
Release the houds Mulligan the TurfMutt (Mo-Mo) explores the grass at the open- ing of the new Bark Park in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. “Nature starts at your back door, and no one gets you outside faster than your dog. We are so pleased to have the TurfMutt Foundation support this project that will give residents and their pets a place in the City of Louisville to have some fun outside,” Kiser continued. TurfMutt spokesdog, Mulligan, also appears on the Lucky Dog TV show Saturday mornings on CBS, produced by Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG). In addition to TurfMutt providing some yard make-overs for families adopting dogs on past Lucky Dog shows, the new, Season 11 episodes featuring TurfMutt began filming this fall at Equip Expo this October. Cameras captured both Mulligan’s 5K Fun Run & Walk, which raises money for the Kentucky Humane Society, and Mulligan’s Mutt Madness.
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