Exchange 2017 Sees Record Numbers of Attendees, Exhibitors
Exchange 2017 Sees Record Numbers of Attendees, Exhibitors
GEAPS Exchange 2017 set records for highest attendance (3,589) and most exhibitors (438) last week in Kansas City. The event featured 270,000 square feet of space in the Expo Hall, and over 40 hours of education. GEAPS International President Marcus Neal, Lansing Trade Group, was impressed with several outcomes from the conference.
“Exchange 2017 was a terrific success on many fronts,” Neal said. “The record breaking Expo is very exciting because it shows that suppliers are finding credible leads and returning year after year, and attendees are finding equipment and solutions to improve operations at their facilities. We saw terrific attendance at our education sessions. This event also provides an opportunity for GEAPS leaders to meet and make connections with grain companies, and learn how we can refine our programs to provide more value to the grain industry. “
Recording setting year in the Expo Hall
The Expo at Exchange 2017 set new records for the second consecutive year with 438 exhibitors in 270,000 square feet of exhibit space. GEAPS Associates Board President Colin McClure, PMI Nebraska, said the growth is due in part to companies realizing the array of opportunities presented at the conference.
“The Exchange offers a lot of opportunities to see decision makers,” McClure said. “The Expo puts your products in the best place for industry operations people can see them. There are also a number of opportunities to form and reinforce business relationships at the networking events. “
Cheryl Lansink, Comco, said one of the biggest reasons for the growth in the Expo in recent year is the variety of equipment companies are bringing.
“Exhibitors have been bringing more equipment in the past few years, and that has led to companies sending more operations people to attend the Expo,” Lansink said. “Attendees are able to see and interact with more equipment. You can learn a lot more about suppliers at the Expo than you can on the internet.”
Lansink also said more companies are also bringing additional booth workers to meet attendees in the Expo Hall and added that Comco expanded from a 10 foot by 10 foot booth to a 10 foot by 20 foot booth. They also brought five workers this year to speak with attendees more efficiently, after brining two in past years.
GEAPS Bestows Corbett and Industry Leader Awards
Three outstanding leaders were recognized during the President’s Banquet Tuesday night. Deb Good, Brock Grain Systems, Cornbelt Chapter, received the Corbett Award, while Jim Coder, Control Stuff Inc, Minneapolis, and Wayne Bauer, Star of the West Milling, were honored with Industry Leader awards. Read the full news release on the award winners.
Other Outstanding Members Recognized
GEAPS recognized outstanding individuals and companies that won annual Safety Awards during the GEAPS celebration Sunday morning. Please see the following news releases on the GEAPS website:
- 2016 Credential Earners
2016 Safety Award Winners
25-Year Members
40-Year Members
Chapter Members of Distinction
Chapter Cup and Outstanding Chapter Award winners
GEAPS Foundation Raises Nearly $3,000 in Kansas City
GEAPS hosted a barbecue extravaganza to raise funds for the GEAPS Foundation. In all, 190 plates of food were purchased along with beer, soda and water to raise $2,882 for the Foundation. In addition to the barbecue, corporate donors to the GEAPS Foundation Professional Development Program Endowment fund were recognized in the GEAPS booth, and each company received a sign recognizing their contribution for their booth.
For more information on GEAPS Foundation, visit the foundation website.
Top Attendance at Exchanges in GEAPS History
- Kansas City 2017 with 3,859
- Omaha 2014 with 3,379
- St. Louis 2015 with 3,215
- Austin 2016 with 2,852
- Minneapolis 2012 with 2,727
Exchange 2018 in Denver
GEAPS Exchange 2018 will be held March 24-27, 2018, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. The Expo Hall will showcase 290,000 square feet of grain handling and processing operations equipment, service and technology solutions.
Booth sales have already begun for Exchange 2018, and 80 percent of available space has already been reserved. View a map of the Expo Hall online, and contact GEAPS Sales Team by email or call (763) 999-4300 for more information reserving booth space.
