“This Old House” host and home improvement expert, Kevin O’Connor, will deliver the keynote address, sponsored by Kress, at Equip Exposition this fall. The speech will focus on energizing the landscapers, contractors, dealers and manufacturers who attend the trade show and helping them identify ways to build their business.
“We’re excited to have Kevin join us this October for Equip—he’s a seasoned contractor and really knows the business. He’s one of us, and he’ll have a great story to share with attendees,” said Kris Kiser, president of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, which owns and manages Equip Exposition.
During his keynote address, O’Connor also is expected to address some of the larger trends happening in the industry.
O’Connor praises the backyarding trend, which is getting more homeowners to expand their living spaces outside. “The backyard is the new front porch,” he stated, making the work of landscape contractors and others so important for creating these spaces as people move from formal living spaces to casual outdoor time.
And in his work, he sees the importance of landscape industry professionals and the tremendous opportunities available to them, with unprecedented growth and demand for landscaping services.
“Many homeowners have some sense of what goes into a bathroom renovation or a new paint job but very few understand the amount of work necessary to prep the ground, properly grade, manage water, remove trees or bury conduit,” O’Connor said. “Educating homeowners early about the infrastructure necessary and the cost associated with that infrastructure will help avoid misunderstandings and better set expectations.”
O’Connor also said he can’t wait to get to the 30-acre outdoor demo yard at the show, where attendees can dig, mow, cut, drive and test drive the latest outdoor power equipment.
“Ask anyone on our ‘This Old House’ crew and they will tell you I never miss a chance to get into the big machines, to operate and handle all the equipment,” he said. “Doing is learning, and in my case, it is also teaching; teaching our audience to try, to practice, to master. So yes, get me in the seat!”
A special spring promotional price of $25 offers those interested in attending the event an opportunity to register for the 2024 Equip Exposition at a discount. This pricing ends on May 31.
