Nearly 150 members and invited guests of the Outdoor Power Equipment Insititue (OPEI) gathered in Savannah, Ga., at the end of June for three days of networking, industry updates, and perspective from leading authorities on international trade, geopolitics, and macroeconomic trends.

“What we heard from our speakers and guests in Savannah was that the industry remains in a dynamic period of uncertainty,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI.

Keynote speakers covered the global geopolitical landscape, trade and tariff state of play, current political state of play, as well as macroeconomic trends and industry-specific forecasts for the industry.

Business session speakers included:

• Dr. Peter Rupert, a professor of economics at the University of California at Santa Barbara and director of USCB’s Economic Forecast Project

• Jennifer McCadney, a partner at Kelley Drye & Warren specializing in customs and international trade

• Grant Farnsworth, president of the Farnsworth Group, OPEI’s market and economic forecasting partner

• Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute & Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

• Robert Costa, national political correspondent and senior Washington analyst for CBS

OPEI senior staff also held a wide-ranging conversation on the most pressing policy issues impacting the outdoor power equipment industry at the local, state, and federal level, including developments in consumer product safety, engine emissions, batteries, recycling and EPR, chemicals, and right to repair.

Also during the event, the association approved the incoming slate for the 2026-2027 OPEI Board of Directors. Rick Olson, Chairman & CEO, The Toro Co., ended his term as chair, and passed the gavel to Harold Redman, President and CEO of Echo Inc. Nelson Wilner, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Engines, Kawasaki, moves into the role of Vice Chair, and Tom Rugg, Senior Vice President and President — Power and Energy Solutions, Briggs and Stratton, joins the Executive Committee as Secretary/Treasurer. Dan Ariens, Chairman and CEO, Ariens Co., remains Equip Exposition Chair.

The remaining members of the Board of Directors include:

• Jonathan Chase, Vice President, Turf & Utility Business Unit, Deere & Co.

• Mike Clancy, Executive Chairman, Chervon North America

• Peter Hampton, President & CEO, Active Dynamics

• Brian Melka, President & CEO, Rehlko

• Drew Patrick, Group President – RYOBI Outdoor, TTI Outdoor Power Equipment, Inc.
• Doug Redpath, President & General Manager, Outdoor, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

• Gent Simmons, President, Husqvarna Forest & Garden North America

• Scott Tilley, General Counsel, Stihl Inc.