After GEAPS Exchange 2008's record-breaking attendance, it's hard to imagine that the 2009 event could outshine last year's. But that's exactly the goal program coordinators set out to achieve for GEAPS Exchange 2009.
Industry professionals can expect this year's show - slated for Feb. 28- March 3 - to match last year's numbers and provide three days' worth of the most valuable educational programs that GEAPS Exchange has ever offered.
Booth sales for the exchange, held at St. Louis' America's Center, hint that this year may be the most popular expo ever. For the first time, the expo hall sold out during the first three days of booth sales. GEAPS even had to add additional exhibit space at America's Center to give as many companies as possible the opportunity to exhibit at the exchange.
One reason the GEAPS exchanges have been so well-attended in the last few years is because of the addition of their popular educational "pods," which made their debut in 2007 and are returning for the third year.
Each "pod" gives a small group of people the opportunity to learn about a particular topic in private and gives learners hands-on experience with grain-industry-related equipment.
This year's "pod" lineup grew from seven topics in 2008 to nearly a dozen, which all relate to the operation and maintenance of conveying equipment. Featured "pod" topics include:
_Ѣ speed reducers
_Ѣ air locks
_Ѣ sweep augers
_Ѣ chain drags
_Ѣ distributor maintenance
_Ѣ reversing conveyors
_Ѣ bucket elevators
_Ѣ drag inlet styles
_Ѣ bent drag conveyors
_Ѣ enclosed-belt conveyor maintenance
_Ѣ transport conveyors
The annual Exchange Workshop, which will take place Sunday, March 1, is sure to be another show highlight. It's devoted to the topic of grain bin engulfment, problems and solutions. The session will include testimonials by engulfment victims; engulfment causes and prevention; and bin rescue techniques.
Other educational seminars will take place throughout the rest of the exchange. The session topics, chosen from 185 total submissions from GEAPS members and grain handling industry employees, include safety training, emergency preparedness, regulatory compliance, energy policies, managing shrink and much more.
The host hotel, The Renaissance Grand, is conveniently located in downtown St. Louis across the street from America's Center. For more information on lodging and registration, please visit www.geaps.com.
Exchange 2009 Expo Hours
Saturday, Feb. 28
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Exhibitor Setup
Sunday, March 1
7:30 - 10:00 a.m. Exhibitor Setup
11:15 a.m. Expo Grand Opening
11:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. Expo
12:00 p.m. Lunch
Monday, March 2
10:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Expo
11:30 a.m. Lunch
Tuesday March 3
9:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Expo
11:30 a.m. Lunch
1:45 - 7:00 p.m. Exhibitor Teardown
