Equip Expo expands, opens new wing for exhibitors

Equip Exposition, an annual international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment show held in Louisville, Ky., has announced that it will now offer exhibitor space in the West Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) for the trade show scheduled for Oct. 17 to 20.

Due to high demand from exhibitors, especially those with limited booth space in other areas of the KEC, the event’s promoters said the additional space will alllow for new and waitlisted exhibitors to be at the show, as well as existing exhibitors to expand their presence at the show.

“Our usual footprint for indoor exhibit space is completely sold out,” said Kris Kiser, president of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns and manages Equip Exposition. “And while the West Wing is different—it’s been used for a wide range of purposes—it does allow existing exhibitors to showcase more of their products and in particular indoor demonstration areas. Taking space in the West Wing also allows new exhibitors to get into the show and ‘get in line’ for space that could become available in other areas of the KEC.”

OPEI said all available exhibitor spaces in the KEC and every inch of the available 30 acres in the Outdoor Demo Yard sold out last year, and it expects the same situation for 2023.

The historic West Wing of the KEC offers 170,000 sq. ft. of additional indoor exhibit space and is the last remaining unused area at the KEC for Equip Expo. It is one of its original structures and is located west of Freedom Hall.

“The West Wing is ideal for indoor demonstration of battery products, and weather’s not a factor for exhibitors there,” said Kiser.

A scene from in the Kioti booth during the October 2022 edition of Equip Expo. (Photo: Chad Elmore)

In addition to exhibits, the West Wing will feature the return of the New Product Showcase, the Drone Zone, and a business lounge for exhibitors and attendees during the show. Hardscape North America will also be expanding its exhibit space into the West Wing.

Equip Exposition celebrates its 40th show this year. OPEI said it will be upgrading the attendee experiences for entertainment with a concert at the downtown KFC Yum! Center arena featuring headliners Third Eye Blind and Dylan Scott. Expo’s house band The Crashers will play the show’s opening party at the downtown Kentucky International Convention Center and Juicebox Heroes will headline at Fourth Street Live! on Wednesday.

“Thursday evening is a very unique event in a state-of-the-art arena to celebrate our 40-year history,” says Kiser. “We’re offering exhibitors an opportunity to host spaces and hold parties in celebration of our Expo family reunion.”

A number of exhibitors and companies have reserved space at the arena for private parties during the concerts, “but there are a number of suites and venues still available in the facility,” he said.

Expo 2022 was the largest show in the event’s 40-year history, selling out all available exhibit space and posting record attendance – more than 25,000 people from all 50 states and 49 countries. The show brings over $20 million in revenue to Louisville, and books more than 32,000 hotel rooms during show week.

Hotel reservations are open and making plans early on where to stay is strongly encouraged. Registration to the show will open in April.