Milwaukee has built a reputation in construction circles , and hopes its growing line of outdoor equipment catches on with landscapers .
Hustler showed a prototype mower to get feedback from pro users at the event .
others held education sessions and staffed displays on the expo floor . They discussed solutions such as simplifying proposals and estimates , communicating with customers , tracking staff time and benefits , and general business operations .
Terms like “ AI-enabled ” were used freely . Too freely , according to keynote speaker Noelle Russell who said that all industry pros should ask more questions when technology providers boast about AI tools . Ask about data security , customization options , user experience , and performance metrics , for starters . Russell is an AI advocate and tech leader .
Connections
Elevate successfully enables professional connections with its focus on education sessions , group meals , and a smaller event footprint ( than Equip Expo ). At first , I thought the food thing was just a nice convenience for attendees . But in reality , by providing breakfast , lunch , and substantial happy hours at the end of each day , the event organizers create even more opportunities for people to meet and talk to each other right at the event .
This is a people-focused event . I attended at least three education sessions each day ; you could easily fit in one or two more . Many companies send multiple people to Elevate so they can cover even more education events and share the knowledge . Twenty-one companies had more than 10 staff members in attendance at Elevate . Landscape giant Mariani sent 49 people , and Yellowstone sent 35 people . The show limits expo room hours to times when attendees will not be in education events ; that ’ s about four hours of display-room time each day . The event does schedule small-setting education events in the expo area called “ Campfire Conversations .” With just a few seats available for each , these events filled quickly .
With its relatively small attendance numbers , the Elevate expo area creates good conversation and connection opportunities . Stanley Black & Decker ’ s Hustler team showed a prototype tracked mower . “ We brought it here to get feedback and have conversations ,” said SBD ’ s Aaron Griffith . “ It ’ s a crucial time in the development . We can take feedback and make changes if needed before we begin testing . So far , people like it and the market seems to need it .”
Kubota reps were busy with conversations about mini excavators . The Wright team was talking with pro users about autonomous mowers . And a representative from Whisper Aero quietly walked the floor carrying its leaf blower to give people a closer look .
www . OPE-Plus . com December 2024 OPE + 25