If this is your first Equip Exposition, go in with a plan. "Do your homework and make a schedule," advises Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns and manages Equip Exposition. "Download the app ahead of time, book your hotel now, and wear comfortable shoes."

The show boasts more than a million square feet of exhibit space, runs October 21-24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC), and drew more than 28,500 people last year. Here is how to make the most of it.

The Kentucky Exposition Center welcomes more than 28,500 attendees to Equip Exposition.

Before the show

• Register now. Sign up at equipexposition.com for $30 before prices double to $60 on September 5. On October 20 the price doubles again, so don't get stuck paying $120 onsite.
• Add education to your registration. Sessions cover irrigation, pesticide management, tree and shrub pruning, outdoor lighting, and more. Select classes, like the popular 'From Worker to Leader' course, are available in Spanish. Sign up before they sell out.
• Book travel and hotels early. Last year the show sold out the city's hotels (some are on a complimentary shuttle route) and attendees booked 32,000 rooms.
• Bring your teammates. Equip is a fantastic team building opportunity, from shared education and testing new equipment to having fun at the concerts together.
• Pick your top three problems. Look at the speakers, exhibits, and educational offerings, then identify the ones that will help you most.
• Download the Equip Expo app. Sponsored by CASE Construction Equipment, it has the event schedule, session start times, maps, and giveaway locations. Favorite events to build your custom schedule.
• Learn the layout. The North Wing has registration, exhibits, and badge pickup. The South Wing has exhibits, Mulligan's Mutt Madness, the Education Center, the Event Center, and easy access to the Outdoor Demo Yard and the UTV Driving Experience. The West Wing is loaded with exhibits, food options, and the rideshare zone. Freedom Hall hosts Tree Care Arena, sponsored by Altec.

At the show

• Skip the traffic. Arriving after 10 a.m.? Use the Crittenden Drive gate or the Preston Highway gate and park on the North side. Parking at the KEC during the show is free.
• Start your day in the West Wing. Rideshares and shuttles drop off there, and food options are close at hand.
• Avoid badge lines. Print your badge at the Welcome Reception (sponsored by Caterpillar) at Churchill Downs' First Turn Club, or in the North Wing. More locations are scattered throughout Louisville hotels, the airport, and the KEC.
• Talk with others. Equip is a city-wide event. The people in your hotel elevator and at the next restaurant table are likely attendees.
• Have fun at the events. Welcome Reception Tuesday evening at Churchill Downs (Caterpillar). Mulligan's 5K Fun Run & Walk Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. (Active Dynamics). The Opening Keynote Wednesday morning with Jesse Cole, founder of the Savannah Bananas (Kress). Fourth Street Live! Wednesday (Propane Education and Research Council). The Morning Show at Expo Thursday morning (Rehlko). ENERGIZE Thursday afternoon (Exmark). Big & Rich in concert Thursday night (Gravely).

After the show

• Follow up. Swap ideas with your new contacts and remind each other to do "that thing you said you would do" once you're home.
• Put new ideas into action. Roll out better pricing, marketing, services, and more.
• Register for next year. Equip Exposition 2026 is slated for October 20-23.

Registration is only $30 through September 4, 2025 at EquipExposition.com.