AWARD FOR TRADE SHOW HEAD

PICTURED ABOVE: Kris Kiser and Mulligan

Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Equip Exposition, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and the TurfMutt Foundation in the United States has been presented with the first-ever Louisville Tourism Impact Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication to the city.

Good friend of TurfPro, Kris said, "It’s a true honour to be the first recipient of this award. Louisville is now home for me, and I’m proud to be part of its continued momentum as one of the country’s most vibrant cities.”

Kris’s ties to Louisville run deep. A native of the region and a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Law, he relocated from Washington DC to Louisville in 2022. He brought the management of the Equip Exposition in-house, immediately establishing its offices in downtown Louisville, a key step in strengthening the partnership between the city and the organisation he leads. 

One of the top five largest trade shows in the United States, Equip Exposition is held each October in Louisville generates over $30 million annually for the city. Since Kris and his team took full ownership of the private show, it has seen record-breaking attendance: 25,000 in 2022, 27,000 in 2023, and 28,500 in 2024. You can view our Digital Special Report on last November's event here.

“We’re always looking for ways to promote the city,” added Kris. That support includes a recent $1 million contribution from the TurfMutt Foundation to Waterfront Park, now home to the newly-named TurfMutt Great Lawn. The Foundation has been a leading advocate for green space and outdoor learning for over 15 years, and both the Foundation and OPEI now also have an office presence in Louisville.

Last year, the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) honored Kris with the 2024 Excellence in Philanthropy Humane Hero Award for his long-term support of the organisation and for animal rescue and rehabilitation.