THE American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) at Orlando, Florida, continues to build momentum as it heads towards its third year (October 15-19, 2015).
Now the only 'mainstream' motorcycle and wider powersports industry expo in the United States (since the closure of Advanstar's Dealer Expo), the AIMExpo formula is new to the United States. It is the first motorcycle industry expo to bring a European INTERMOT style combined OE and aftermarket exhibitor culture to the US market, and the first expo to offer those exhibitors the best of both worlds in business terms - a combined industry and public attendance (October 15th & 16th are trade/dealer only days - the weekend is additionally open to riders).
The reaction to this unique-to-America formula has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendance last year building on year one and expected to grow again this year as acceptance of the concept becomes widespread among the OE motorcycle manufacturing community. In a short time AIMExpo has built an impressive list of motorcycle manufacturer exhibitors, including the likes of Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, BMW, Kymco, CF Moto, Zero, CanAm/BRP and Arctic Cat - many of whom are operating outdoor display and test ride opportunities as well as indoor exhibits.
Critically, as AIMExpo deepens its OE manufacturer roots, it will deepen the importance of the show to dealers - the OE involvement could prove to be the magic key that unlocks national dealer attendance; in the past regionalism has been a big criticism and perceived flaw of the traditional trade show formulas in the United States.
With more than three months to go, the total number of exhibitors had surpassed last year's figure with over 500 companies booked in total. The AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) will again be hosting their annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony at AIMExpo, and a whole slew of attendance-driving enthusiast-facing initiatives are set to capitalise on timing that sees the event staged on the same weekend as the long-established and popular Biketoberfest Rally at Daytona Beach, Florida, which is just an hour's ride north east of Orlando.
Those enthusiast-facing initiatives include an AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building affiliate round - the all new Championship of the Americas - which gives any US expo a big draw for bike builders, trade and consumer attendees; in the case of being based in Florida, for the first time it also gives trade visitors from central and south America a viable business nexus for the first time.
The winner of the Championship of the Americas will receive expenses paid entry to the 2016 AMD World Championship at INTERMOT in October 2016 and the chance to compete against many of Europe's greatest custom bike designers and engineers.
