2017 GIE+EXPO: Another Record-Breaker?

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Kris Kiser, OPEI president, and the association’s members have reason to smile as GIE+EXPO 2017 approaches. By mid-summer, as registrations surged, it became apparent that this would be the largest and busiest GIE+EXPO ever, exceeding even the recordbreaking 2015 and 2016 trade shows in terms of registrants, exhibitors and exhibit space.

“The show has been on a significant growth track the past five years. We’re busting at the seams. It’s a great problem to have,” says Kiser.

In other words, when you show up at the massive Kentucky Exposition Center adjacent to I-65 don’t be surprised to find not only the outdoor equipment demo space packed with equipment and products, but both the South and North Halls filled to the rafters as well. This past summer show organizers were scrambling to accommodate all the requests for display space.

Not only did OPEI open up more space for GIE+EXPO, it’s also opening up more space for conducting its own business.

Because of OPEI’s growth in both member companies and responsibilities, it will be moving into a new building sometime early in 2018. The Institute’s new headquarters will be located in Old Town Alexandria — not far from the building it has called headquarters since 1988. In addition to more space, it will contain a modern conference center with state-of-the-art audio-visual capabilities. Located just 4 miles from Reagan National Airport and a short walk from a metro station, the building will offer easy access for visitors.