Equip Exposition

What Equip Exposition does

Equip Exposition is an annual international B2B trade show for the landscape, outdoor living, and outdoor power equipment industries, founded in 1984 and held each October at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The show spans approximately 1.3 million square feet of indoor exhibit space plus a 30-acre Outdoor Demo Yard — described as the only hands-on outdoor equipment testing venue of its kind in the United States — and co-locates with Hardscape North America. Equip is owned and managed by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which assumed full operational control in 2022.

The company's core product is the four-day trade show itself, anchored by 1,100+ exhibiting manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers showcasing outdoor power equipment (mowers, chainsaws, UTVs, trenchers, drones, battery systems, etc.) to nearly 30,000 registered attendees from all 50 U.S. states and 52 countries. The product portfolio has expanded beyond the annual show into year-round monetization through Equip Academy (a $170 in-person and online training pass covering business, technical, and certification education), equip magazine (a print and digital publication reaching 120,000+ landscape and dealer professionals), and the Certification Center (CEU courses). Supporting technology infrastructure includes the Map Your Show platform for floor plans and exhibitor management and the MCI Events registration system.

Revenue is generated across four streams: tiered attendee registration ($25-$120 per pass), per-square-foot exhibitor booth sales ($25.60-$33.10/sq ft depending on OPEI membership status and size), event and zone sponsorships (Caterpillar-sponsored Welcome Reception at Churchill Downs, the 4th Street Live Concert, ENERGIZE, Mutt Madness, etc.), and hotel commission revenue through the official Louisville Housing Bureau. Customer segments include landscape contractors and hardscapers (primary), outdoor power equipment dealers and distributors, and equipment manufacturers — with 80% of attendees holding purchasing influence or final buying authority.

Name

Equip Exposition

Legal name

Equip Exposition

Website

https://equipexposition.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Equip Exposition is an annual B2B trade show in Louisville, KY serving landscape contractors, dealers, and outdoor power equipment manufacturers with hands-on demos, education, and 1,100+ exhibits across 1.3M sq ft and a 30-acre outdoor demo yard.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Show and B2B Exhibition Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

General Consumer Expos & Trade Shows (MPAGAFAA)

Keywords

• Trade show events
• Outdoor power equipment
• Landscape industry
• B2B exhibitions
• Equipment demonstrations

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Attendee Registration Fees: Attendees pay tiered registration fees ranging from $25 (Super Early Bird) to $120 (Standard Rate) for the 3-4 day trade show pass. Non-exhibiting vendors pay a flat $450 per person. Additional revenue from Equip Academy passes ($170) and certification session fees ($30-$50 per class).
2. Exhibitor Booth Sales: Exhibitors pay per-square-foot booth fees ranging from $25.60 to $33.10 per sq. ft. depending on OPEI membership status and booth size. Additional fees for outdoor demonstration space ($1.60 per sq. ft. up to 5x indoor space, $10.00 per sq. ft. beyond that). Processing fees apply.
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Exhibitors and industry partners purchase sponsorships for specific events, zones, and programming including the Welcome Reception (sponsored by Caterpillar), 4th Street Live Concert, Women's Leadership Reception, ENERGIZE, The Morning Show, Mutt Madness, Fun Run, and more.
4. Hotel and Travel Commission: The Louisville Housing Bureau serves as the official housing provider, with prize drawings and incentives for attendees booking through the official housing channel, generating commission revenue for the show.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Equip Exposition operates the international landscape, outdoor living, and outdoor power equipment trade show held annually at the Kentucky Exposition Center. The four-day event features 1.3 million square feet of indoor exhibit space, a 30-acre outdoor demonstration yard for hands-on equipment testing, and an education program (Equip Academy, Certification Center) covering business growth, technical training, and CEU courses. Revenue is generated from exhibitor booth rentals, attendee registration, sponsorships, certification fees, and hotel commissions.

Product overview

Equip Exposition is an annual international trade show for landscape, outdoor living, and outdoor power equipment professionals. The core offering is the four-day trade show event held at Kentucky Exposition Center featuring 1.3 million square feet of exhibit space and a 30-acre outdoor demo yard. The product portfolio includes the main trade show, Equip Academy (in-person and online training package for $170), equip magazine (reaching 120,000+ industry professionals), the Tree Care Arena (hands-on tree care training), Certification Center (CEU courses), and various event experiences including the Welcome Reception at Churchill Downs, 4th Street Live! Concert, Paristown Block Party, Mulligan's Mutt Madness dog adoption, Women's Leadership Reception, ENERGIZE, The Morning Show at Expo, Mulligan's 5K Fun Run, and Dealer Networking Breakfast. The show co-locates with Hardscape North America. Starting 2029, the event will rotate biennially between Louisville and Orlando.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Equip Academy: In-person and online training package for contractors and landscapers offering dozens of education sessions covering topics such as hiring, leadership, and business growth. The academy pass costs $170.
• equip magazine

Products and services

• Equip Exposition Trade Show Annual four-day international trade show for landscape contractors, hardscapers, dealers, and outdoor power equipment professionals. Held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville with 1,100+ exhibiting companies, side-by-side equipment testing, and an extensive education program.
• Equip Academy In-person and online training package for contractors and landscapers offering dozens of education sessions covering hiring, leadership, business growth, and technical topics. Academy pass priced at $170 provides access to live and on-demand content.
• equip magazine

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 30,000 registered attendees from all 50 states and 52 countries (2025 show, fourth consecutive record)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hardscape North AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 October 2026Hardscape North America is co-located with Equip Exposition, meaning Equip attendees receive complimentary access to HNA indoor and outdoor (Hardscape House) exhibits, the Installer Competition, and HNA education sessions. This co-location creates a comprehensive outdoor living event covering landscape, hardscape, and equipment.
• Kentucky Humane SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2025The TurfMutt Foundation partners with the Kentucky Humane Society for Mulligan's Mutt Madness dog adoption event at Equip. In 2025, the event found forever homes for 13 shelter dogs and included a $10,000 donation to the Kentucky Humane Society.
• The Davey InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrainers from The Davey Institute host daily training during the show at the Tree Care Arena and Certification Center. Sessions cover tree care, plant health management, and safety requirements, providing high-quality industry education to attendees.
• Academy TrainedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademy Trained provides trainers and curriculum for the Tree Care Arena, offering hands-on tree care training including bucket truck operations, chainsaw techniques, and equipment demonstrations.
• Louisville Housing Bureau (Louisville Tourism)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Louisville Housing Bureau is the official hotel reservation company for Equip Exposition. Attendees and exhibitors booking through the official provider are entered into prize drawings. Show management warns against unauthorized housing solicitations.
• Louisville TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLouisville Tourism partners with Equip Exposition to promote the city as a destination and manage attendee housing and visitor information, including 90+ attractions and dining recommendations.
• Landscape Management MagazinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape Management magazine is a key education partner providing content, Top 150 Strategy sessions, and editorial coverage of the show. The magazine is also used as a content source for industry education.
• Irrigation AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner providing irrigation sessions and expertise at Equip's certification center and Equip Academy tracks covering irrigation system design, repair, and efficient scheduling.
• Texas A&M AgriLife ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas A&M AgriLife Extension provides turfgrass management education and chemical application sessions in both English and Spanish. Dr. Manuel Chavarría from Texas A&M leads popular sessions on sustainable turf management.
• Association of Outdoor Lighting ProfessionalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides outdoor lighting design and installation education as part of Equip Academy's Design & Build track, helping contractors add high-margin lighting services to their offerings.
• BelgardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors the Women's Leadership Reception alongside SiteOne and Hunter FX/Luminaire. The reception features keynote speakers including Susan Packard (HGTV co-founder) and Judith Guido.
• SiteOneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors the Women's Leadership Reception alongside Belgard and Hunter FX/Luminaire, supporting female leadership development in the green industry.
• Hunter FX/LuminaireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of the Women's Leadership Reception alongside Belgard and SiteOne.
• Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCaterpillar Inc. (CAT) sponsors the Welcome Reception at Churchill Downs, the iconic Tuesday evening opening event at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
• GravelyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGravely sponsors the Paristown Block Party and Concert, as well as the 2025 concert featuring Big & Rich with Gretchen Wilson.
• Propane Education & Research CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors the Wednesday night 4th Street Live! Concert and party event.
• KressminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKress sponsors Mike Holmes as the 2026 keynote speaker at Equip, bringing the HGTV star and veteran contractor to the main stage.
• RehlkominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors The Morning Show at Expo, which brings three leading green industry podcasters to one stage for business growth discussions.
• ExmarkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors ENERGIZE, a session focused on sales, marketing, and business growth for landscape contractors, hosted by Brian Fullerton.
• BOSS SnowplowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsors ENERGIZE alongside Exmark, supporting contractor business growth programming.
• Active DynamicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors Mulligan's 5K Fun Run & Walk, an annual fitness event kicking off the show on Wednesday morning.
• TurfMutt FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe TurfMutt Foundation runs the Mutt Madness dog adoption event, the Fun Run & Walk, and educational programs reaching 70 million kids, teachers, and families. Mulligan the TurfMutt serves as the official spokesdog. The foundation has partnered with the Kentucky Humane Society for annual dog adoption events at Equip.
• Consumer ReportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner contributing expertise to Equip's programming and sessions.
• CultureIDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner providing cultural and business development content for Equip Academy sessions.
• Equipment and Engine Training CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides technician training and equipment education for dealer education tracks at Equip.
• International Erosion Control AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides education sessions on erosion control as part of the expanded education offerings at Equip.
• Farnsworth GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner contributing expertise to Equip Academy sessions.
• International Society of ArboricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides tree care education and arborist certification support through the Tree Care Arena and certification center.
• North American Equipment Dealers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides dealer education programming as part of Equip's Dealer Education track.
• Professional Grounds Management SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributes education sessions as part of the grounds management curriculum at Equip.
• Hunter IndustriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Blessings in a Backpack philanthropic project at the West Wing, helping fill backpacks with meals for children in need.
• Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPEI owns and manages Equip Exposition since 2022. OPEI is an international trade association representing manufacturers of outdoor power equipment, parts, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility vehicles, and golf cars. The association brings its member network and industry authority to the show.
• Kentucky Horticulture CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner providing horticulture expertise for Equip Academy sessions.
• Blessings in a BackpackminorOthersLouisville-based philanthropic organization. Equip attendees at the West Wing can help fill backpacks with meals for schoolchildren who lack food on weekends. Sponsored by Hunter Industries and the TurfMutt Foundation.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Direct peers

• CES (Consumer Electronics Show): CES is the largest U.S. B2B trade show, owned and operated by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), a trade association — the same association-owned model Equip uses with OPEI. Both are large, annually-recurring B2B trade shows with high buyer-influence attendee ratios and association-driven exhibitor pipelines.
• CONEXPO-CON/AGG: CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the largest U.S. trade show for the construction equipment industry, with massive outdoor demonstration areas. It directly parallels Equip's 30-acre outdoor demo yard and B2B equipment-buyer audience, although it serves heavy construction rather than landscape/OPE.
• International Builders' Show (IBS): IBS is the NAHB-owned annual B2B trade show for the residential construction industry, co-located with the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Like Equip+Hardscape North America, it uses an association-owned model with co-location synergies and a high-influence professional attendee base.
• World of Concrete: World of Concrete is an annual B2B trade show for the concrete and masonry industries, featuring large outdoor demonstration areas. It shares Equip's model of combining indoor exhibits with hands-on outdoor demos for a defined professional trade.
• National Hardware Show (NHS): The National Hardware Show is an annual B2B trade show covering hardware, tools, and outdoor power equipment — overlapping significantly with Equip's product categories. It serves retailers, dealers, and distributors with similar buyer demographics and exhibit-floor economics.
• Cultivate (AmericanHort): Cultivate is AmericanHort's annual B2B trade show for the horticulture and nursery industries, with overlapping landscape and hardscape attendee profiles. It is a comparable association-owned horticultural trade show that some Equip attendees also frequent.
• SEMA Show: SEMA is the Specialty Equipment Market Association's annual B2B trade show for the automotive aftermarket. It is a comparable association-owned trade show with strong buyer-influence ratios, dealer/manufacturer ecosystem, and large exhibit footprint.
• Outdoor Retailer: Outdoor Retailer is a B2B trade show for the outdoor recreation industry, attracting retailers, brands, and manufacturers. It shares Equip's community-led GTM motion and outdoor-lifestyle audience, though it skews more toward apparel and consumer outdoor goods.
• ProMat / MODEX: ProMat and MODEX are the Material Handling Institute's B2B trade shows for manufacturing and supply chain logistics, featuring large exhibit halls and equipment demonstrations. They share Equip's industry-association ownership structure and equipment-buyer audience.
• GIE+EXPO (predecessor event): GIE+EXPO was the predecessor name of Equip Exposition before OPEI rebranded it in 2022. It is referenced in historical industry coverage as the same annual green-industry trade show now operated under the Equip Exposition brand.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@equipexposition
• Xx.com/equipexposition

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Equip Exposition