The third annual AIMExpo (Orlando, Florida, October 15-17) will open its doors on Thursday next week to high hopes and great anticipation among the domestic US powersports industry vendor community.
Although it generally takes at least five years for a new industry expo project to build a convincing visitor base, the event certainly has the backing of the industry in the United States with over 500 parts, accessory and apparel exhibitors confirmed, some 17 OEMs expected to exhibit new-for-2016 models and operate demo rides.
Recently acquired by the MIC (the Motorcycle Industry Council), the organisers are anticipating attendance from all 50 of the US States and from some 50 different countries, with advance registrations said to be running "significantly up" compared to the same time last year.
AIMExpo is the first motorcycle industry expo to make a convincing attempt to bring what are often referred to as "European Expo Values" to the North American Powersports market with the combination of two days of trade (October 15/16) followed by two days of consumer attendance (October 17/18) proving to be "an ideal whose time has come" in the US expo context, according to founder, Show Director and former MIC Chairman Larry Little.
"Many thought we were being over-ambitious when we first announced the project back in 2012, and while there is still a long way to go, we believe that, with the backing of the US and international motorcycle industry, we are creating an important new product showcase opportunity for our exhibitors, a valuable new business opportunity for American motorcycle dealers, and an all-new opportunity for American motorcycle enthusiasts and riders to see what the market has to offer them in the months and years ahead".
The line-up of familiar name motorcycle and powersports industry vehicle manufacturers confirmed as exhibitors and demo ride providers includes Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Arctic Cat, Can-Am/BRP, Kymco, Kawasaki, Harley-Davidson and Zero Motorcycles; a full list of exhibitors can be found at the show website.
The line-up of European businesses that are now eying AIMExpo as their pathway and their portal for the domestic US market is fast becoming an impressive "who's-who" of many of the familiar names from the European show circuit - check out this selected list ... Brembo (Italy), Frenotecnica/Brenta (Italy), Nolan (Italy), CZ Chains (Czech Republic), Delta Braking (Czech Republic), INTERMOT (Germany), Ermax (France), Ferodo (Italy), Forma Boots (Italy), Galfer (Spain), GB Racing (UK), GIVI (Italy), Premier Helmets (Italy), Held (Germany), InnTeck (Italy), Interphone (Italy), IXS (Switzerland), K-Tech (UK), Liqui Moly (Germany), Malossi (Italy), Marchesini (Italy), Ariete (Italy), MIVV (Italy), Motorex (Switzerland), MRA (Germany), Mugen Race (Italy), Mupo (Italy), NEXX (Portugal), Oxford Products (UK), Polisport (Portugal), Powerbronze (UK), Pro-Bolt (UK), Pro-X (Netherlands), Puig/Motoplastic (Spain), R&G (UK), SBS Friction (Denmark), Schuberth (Germany), Stylmartin (Italy), SW Motech (Germany), TCX Boots (Italy), TecMate International (Belgium), Touratech (Germany), Wunderlich (Germany).
AIMExpo will feature an exhaustive (and no doubt exhausting!) programme of seminars and business networking opportunities organised by domestic US trade journal PowerSports Business (PSB) and already has the backing of an impressive line-up of industry associations, organisations and sponsors - such as the MIC itself, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, ARRA, Off Road Business Association, the Italian Trade Commission, ATVSA, ROHVA, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, the American Motorcyclist Association, the FIM, and the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building.
There can be no doubt that this year's attendance will build on that seen so far and demonstrate to the industry that the project has that all-important ingredient for a successful future - momentum.
www.aimexpousa.com
