COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 2012 Power Show Ohio is bigger and better than ever, filling 300,000 square feet of space at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus with more than 600 brands of equipment and supplies.

Sponsored by the Ohio Michigan Equipment Dealers’ Assoc., the show opens Jan. 27 and runs through Jan. 29.

This year, more than 200 venders will be participating in the 42nd annual event, according to Dennis Alford, Power Show Ohio manager. Exhibits from returning venders as well as first-time businesses are spread over four buildings, as they take the opportunity to promote their products to attendees of the show. In a typical year, the show attracts close to 20,000 people from across Ohio and surrounding states.

“In these trying economic times, it is more important than ever that we provide information and products to help farmers farm smarter and as efficiently as possible,” said Alford. “Exhibitors at Power Show Ohio understand the importance of giving their customers the products and services that will allow them to do just that.”

The show is beneficial for exhibitors and attendees alike, according to Alford.

“The show offers attendees the opportunity to see what is new in equipment lines,” he said. “The show offers a wide variety of different products in one place so they can compare product lines. For vendors, the show offers a chance to reach hundreds of potential customers face-to-face in a short amount of time.
 Regardless of what type of business you are in, if you need power equipment, you cannot afford to miss this show. Quality equipment, useful information and technology equals smart business.”

The first shows featured all farm equipment, according to Alford, but over the years, it has become more diversified. This year, the show will feature tractors, skid steer loaders, commercial mowing equipment, all-terrain vehicles, grain handling, computer software, fence-building, hay equipment, buildings, backhoes, logging equipment, compact tractors, livestock equipment and number of lifestyle items.

Other highlights include daily educational seminars, cooking demonstrations and the ever-popular National Kiddie Tractor Pull. Alford said the tractor pull is open to youngsters between the ages of 3-8 and draws about 300 participants per day in three age divisions.

Alford also said Ohio Proud partners will be presenting the cooking demonstrations. “We will have at least 10 different Ohio Proud partners,” he said. “We will also have cooking demonstrations from Ohio Proud partners three times each day of the show.”

Organizers are constantly looking for ways to improve the Power Show Ohio. This year, admission tickets have been replaced with discount coupons. The coupons give a $2 discount per carload of attendees on parking and admission. Attendees can present their discount coupons to the parking attendant and receive $2 off their $10 fee, park their cars and enjoy the show.

Another change this year is that ticket stubs will no longer be required for admittance from building to building.

Discount coupons are available from equipment dealers throughout Ohio and Michigan. The show is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. Power Show Ohio will be at the Ohio Expo Center, just off Interstate 71 at Exit 111.

For more information on seminars offered at Power Show Ohio, an exhibitors’ list and floor plan maps, see the February 2012 Marketplace publication included in this week’s copy of Farm World.