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VOLUME 69, ISSUE 1

4 FROM THE EDITOR

My Path to OPE + by Brian Ethridge

6 PEAK SEASON PREP

How to turn the spring stress test into a strategic win.

10 OUTDOOR INNOVATION

The impact of technology on outdoor living design and build.

14 OPE + POWER FORUM

Inside the OPE + Under 40 Awards and a review of our industry roundtable.

18 LANDSCAPE

Grading, drainage and the invisible landscaping work that matters.

21 DEALER SUPPORT

Parts and service take center stage as 2025 lessons shape 2026.

24 INDUSTRY NEWS

Equip Exposition to rotate between Louisville and Orlando beginning in 2029.

26 EQUIPMENT FOCUS

Cutting edge mowers built to push productivity forward.

32 OPERATIONS

Why seasonal labor has become mission-critical to landscaping operations.

34 SOCIAL MEDIA

Turning social activity into value for OPE businesses.

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OPE PLUS( ISSN 0192-7558)( USPS 0006-257)( Reg. U. S. Pat. & T. M. Off.) is published seven times yearly by EPG Brand Acceleration, 7760 France Avenue South, Suite 810, Bloomington, MN 55435. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to OPE Plus, P. O. Box 96, Port Jervis, NY 12771-0096. For subscription information and requests, call Subscription Services at( 763) 383-4492. Registration Number: R125906743. © COPYRIGHT 2026, OPE PLUS. Material may not be reproduced or photocopied in any form without the written permission of the publisher. To subscribe visit www. ope-plus. com / subscribe.

www. OPE-Plus. com March 2026 OPE + 3