If it’s September, then it means another football season has descended upon gridirons across the country.
And with that new season comes a renewed sense of optimism, whether last season ended in a championship celebration or a disappointing losing streak. For many, the difference between those extremes can be razor thin — one star player in a key position, for example, can prove to be a key to success, while an untimely injury to that same important player can doom a team’s trophy pursuit.
But equally important to a winning season is dedicated preparation and a sound game plan heading into every big game. When every player is on the same page in how the team plans to attack its opponent on both sides of the ball, the chances of securing a big victory are that much greater, whether you have Patrick Mahomes under center or not.
Something similar holds true for landscape and lawn care professionals as they get ready for the industry’s conference and trade show season, which kicks off in earnest next month at Equip Exposition 2025, Oct. 21-24 in Louisville, Ky.
One of the 10 largest trade shows of any kind in the United States, Equip Expo can be an overwhelming experience for attendees who go in without a solid game plan, causing them to miss out on valuable learning experiences or pass up a new product or service that can help boost their business.
So, in honor of Equip Expo and the start of a new football season, Landscape Management reached out to a host of veteran attendees to get their best tips and time-tested advice to share with rookie attendees heading to the big show — words of wisdom that might help them get the most out of their experiences in Louisville. Call it Equip Expo Game Planning 101.
Here’s to a successful season and a profitable visit to Equip Expo.
Bob Grover
Founder and Chairman, Pacific Landscape Management
Hillsboro, Ore.
How many years have you attended Equip Expo?
Gosh, I don’t know how far back this goes. I started going when OPEI, NALP and the other organizations combined their conferences. So, maybe 20 years ago was when I first went.
Do you have any specific memories from your first time attending Equip Expo?
I’m a 40-plus-year member of NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals) and the associations that came before that, and when they joined up with OPEI to have their annual meeting, it’s where I was going to go. It was a great way to go to the NALP conference and see the larger trade show at the same time. Those are what I remember most. It’s a habit I’ve just kept over the years.
What brings you back to Equip Expo every year?
Networking is number one. It’s an opportunity to connect with people that I know and have met previously from across the country. It’s always nice to talk to other contractors like me that aren’t competitors, and at these large national conferences, there’s lots of people that aren’t my competitor, so we’re very open to really share thoughts and ideas, challenges, opportunities, that kind of thing.
Are there particular things you’ve picked up at Equip Expo that have had a positive impact on your business and/or career?
Virtually all the relationships that I have with people in companies like mine across the country — call them friendships, call them collaborations, call them trusted advisors. I met almost all these people at events like Equip, and I cherish the ability to pick up the phone and call any number of dozens of people that I want to ask for their advice. The networking relationships have been invaluable and helped me solve so many problems, and all those relationships
I met at conferences and trade shows like Equip.
What advice would you give to a first-time/limited-time Equip Expo attendee to ensure that they get the most out of their experience?
I would self-admit to being a fairly outgoing person, but what I would say is spend time with someone new. Especially people that go there with somebody from their own company … my whole goal would be to find and meet and talk with and share with somebody you don’t see on a daily basis. You know, make a new friend or invite somebody you don’t know to dinner. Just force yourself to be outgoing, to meet somebody that you don’t know. I guarantee you’ll learn something you didn’t know before if you do that.
Beck Flurie
Owner/Operator, Beck the Beast Lawn Care
Mechanicsburg, Pa.
How many years have you attended Equip Expo?
Three years
Do you have any specific memories from your first time attending Equip Expo?
I was really surprised by how generous people were in the sense of being willing to share their experiences and the knowledge they had. I had multiple conversations my first year with people that weren’t afraid to talk numbers and have real conversations about what it’s like trying to run a business. I thought that was really, really cool, just how people were so open to share and answer questions and give advice.
What brings you back to Equip Expo every year?
In full transparency, I go mainly because I want to network with all the brands who are represented there. Obviously, I pick up a lot for my business and learn about new products that I might want to explore more down the road, but because I do social media, Equip is a great place to connect with brands. I also enjoy seeing people I’ve met in previous years and just walking around to take it all in.
What advice would you give to a first-time/limited-time Equip Expo attendee to ensure that they get the most out of their experience?
Don’t overlook the events that are going on outside of Equip, whether that’s the official events hosted like the Welcome Reception at Churchill Downs or social events hosted by companies. I’ve had so many good conversations at events like those in more of an intimate setting where you can have good one-on-one talks. I was lucky in my first year that a lot of people pointed me toward those, and I’d tell a first-timer to do the same thing.
Scott Horoszewski
Owner, Acme NLS
Sylvania, Ohio
How many years have you attended Equip Expo?
Twelve years.
Do you have any specific memories from your first time attending Equip Expo?
I remember just being like “wow.” Seeing that there were so many different brands of equipment to choose from and to be able to test them was eye-opening. I was so amazed at the size of it. And every year, it just becomes bigger and so much more amazing.
What brings you back to Equip Expo every year?
Networking and the ability to see all the new products and explore new opportunities in advancements with technology and equipment.
Are there particular things you’ve picked up at Equip Expo that have had a positive impact on your business and/or career?
Yes, many. But in particular, I brought in a great CRM, Jobber, years ago that has advanced our company in so many ways. Plus, the knowledge I’ve gained from talking with other green industry pros … has changed the way we do things. It’s also given me many great friendships across the industry.
What advice would you give to a first-time/limited-time Equip Expo attendee to ensure that they get the most out of their experience?
Make a plan on what you want to see because you can never see everything and visit all the booths. Just take it in. It’s a lot, and there is plenty to do and see, but it’s all worth it. Lastly, network with people. There are tons of pros here that you can gain knowledge from and form friendships with, so enjoy the experience.
Mike McCarron
Owner, Image Works Landscaping
Fairfax Station, Va.
How many years have you attended Equip Expo?
My very first event was back in 2010.
Do you have any specific memories from your first time attending Equip Expo?
Our company drove there in a van with another local company, and the road trip was a blast in addition to going to the event. We had no idea the size and magnitude of the event until we walked in and then were blown away. So much information and face-to-face access to manufacturers so you can get questions answered directly and in person. Great memories.
What brings you back to Equip Expo every year?
The technology and advances in equipment in the past five years have been staggering. Just looking back a few years, there was little to no equipment running EFI, and now we have gone past EFI and are seeing massive gains in electric equipment and full-on automation. If you want to see this firsthand and be out in front of new concepts and designs in equipment, this is the show to be at.
Are there particular things you’ve picked up at Equip Expo that have had a positive impact on your business and/or career?
Over the past few years, we have rotated through staff and employees that we bring to this show so that people from all levels in our company can experience this event and bring back information that is relative to them. Then, we sit down and debrief the week after with all the ideas and tips each person picked up at the event. This has really worked out well for us.
What advice would you give to a first-time/limited-time Equip Expo attendee to ensure that they get the most out of their experience, both professionally and personally?
This show has so much information for all levels of attendees. Take a few minutes and review the educational sessions and what classes might be best suited for you and register for them early. Review the map location of where some key vendors are that you need to speak with or who can answer technical questions that you might have. Bring tons of business cards so that you can be ready to hand out cards to new people and vendors that you meet. And one final thing: Bring some good shoes as you will be all over the place trying to see and do everything in a few short days.
Brittany Auman
Co-owner, Auman Landscape
Carroll, Ohio
How many years have you attended Equip Expo?
I’ve been going for about 11 years now, and it’s become a staple on my calendar every fall. It gets bigger and better every year.
Do you have any specific memories from your first time attending Equip Expo?
The first time I went, I remember just being blown away by the scale of it. It’s one thing to hear about the show, but walking into the expo halls and then out into the demo yard is something else. We walked for two days straight and didn’t make it through all the show. We have met a lot of our lifelong friends at this show that we talk with on a daily basis.
What brings you back to Equip Expo every year?
The people. The equipment is neat to see, and the companies are neat to see. But for us, it’s the connections that we have made with other businesses and the relationships that have been built that bring us back.
Are there particular things you’ve picked up at Equip Expo that have had a positive impact on your business and/or career?
Every year, I leave with motivation to keep growing and doing better. Every year, this conference pushes us to be our best. If it weren’t for this conference, we wouldn’t have the relationships we have now with companies like LMN, Cycle CPA and CompanyCam that keep our business running every single day. These companies have changed the trajectory of our business. They took us out of the “struggling landscape company” category. Most importantly, these connections we’ve made with these companies have turned into connections with LeanScaper that will help guide us to grow our business with strategy and make sure we are taking care of our employees along the way. We’re really excited for the next few years.
What advice would you give to a first-time/limited-time Equip Expo attendee to ensure that they get the most out of their experience?
Go in with a plan but also leave space to explore. There’s so much to see, it can be overwhelming. Prioritize the booths, demos or sessions that matter most to your business, but also allow yourself time to wander. You’ll stumble across things you didn’t know you needed. And don’t be afraid to talk to people. Some of the best takeaways come from conversations, not just the exhibits.
Brian Fullerton
Owner, Brian’s Lawn Maintenance
Detroit
How many years have you attended Equip Expo?
Our first visit was in 2017, so I guess that’s seven years now since the pandemic cost us in 2021.
Do you have any specific memories from your first time attending Equip Expo?
It wasn’t my first year, but my main memory is from the first time I got to do some training on the main stage. I’m an introvert by nature, but this year I’m moderating Energize (Thursday, Oct. 23, 2-3 p.m.) with Mark Bradley, Marty Grunder and Sam Gembel. That’s a long way from where I started, so that journey is what I remember most.
What brings you back to Equip Expo every year?
Every year looks entirely different. The first few times I went, it was to shake hands, kiss babies, meet folks from all around the industry and get a lay of the land. As our YouTube channel started to take off, I realized there might be an opportunity to make what we do a little more well known and maybe connect with a few more brands. So, it’s more of a balance these days.
What advice would you give to a first-time/limited-time Equip Expo attendee to ensure that they get the most out of their experience, both professionally and personally?
To me, it all boils down to networking and taking the opportunity to meet industry leaders, industry legends and to just have access to so many smart people in the industry. If you want to meet your favorite influencer, they’re there. If you want to meet with the CEO of Toro, he’s there. Obviously, the equipment is there and getting a chance to see the latest and greatest is awesome. But this is a relationship business, so that part is No. 1 for me. Kris (Kiser, OPEI president and CEO) always calls it the industry’s family reunion, and he’s exactly right.
