From the Desk of Chad Elmore

In the most recent issues of E-Brief, contributor Lynn Woolf took an exclusive look at why and how equipment dealers should be using social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

For one, social media gives dealers a fast and free way to communicate important updates to customers — announcements such as special events and new product introductions can be posted immediately.

Posting information as it happens is exactly how Rural Lifestyle Dealer will be using its Facebook and Twitter feeds later this week. For dealers serving the rural lifestyle and commercial landscaping and mowing markets, GIE+Expo in Louisville, Ky. is the big event that focuses on this segment of the equipment market.

Rural Lifestyle Dealer will have three staffers covering GIE+Expo this Thursday-Friday, October 27-28 (the event runs October 27-29 at the Kentucky Exposition Center). Besides myself, Associate Publisher Michael Ellis and Web Editor Cole Vandermause will be at the show.

We'll be among an expected 17,500 attendees who will be at the event to meet some of the 600-plus exhibitors. In addition to the static trade show displays inside the expo center, a 19-acre outdoor demonstration area gives attendees the chance to test-drive equipment before making the decision to buy or add the line to the show room floor.

We're looking forward to seeing the latest in zero-turn mowers, dealer business software, gasoline and diesel engines, compact tractors and other equipment this week. We're looking forward to having some good discussions about dealer support, ethanol issues and solutions and green technology, among others. We'll be reporting what we find.

If you're not already following Rural Lifestyle Dealer on Twitter and/or Facebook, please sign up now. Click here: Facebook and Twitter.