American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 172 November 2013 | Page 18

THE BRADLEY REPORT
Drag Specialties' 2014 ShowCase series

T

HE Parts Unlimited/Drag Specialties Regional ShowCase program has
been refined for 2014.
With vendors reporting a disappointing dealer turn out at Anaheim,
California in 2013, but encouraged by a better than expected attendance at
the East Coast event, Drag Specialties has confirmed that it will again host a
Regional ShowCase at King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, on March 22-23 2014.
Instead of Anaheim, and in addition to their regular 'headquarters' event at
Madison, Wisconsin towards the end of August each year the company is to
host dealers and vendors at the AmericasMart, Atlanta, February 22-13 2014 the same weekend as the AMA Supercross race at the Georgia Dome.
Speaking to Powersports Business Drag Specialties' respected National Sales
Manager Jim Matchette said "That show is just going to be a monster."
This year's ShowCases are reported to have attracted a combined turn-out

of some 600 vendor displays and the program provides Parts Unlimited and
Drag Specialties reps with the opportunity to educate their dealers about new
products and introduce them to the vendors they represent. "It is really
important to get the dealers fired up to learn and see new products.
"That's how we're going to keep the industry moving. I think our future
ShowCases are going to be bigger and better and more successful each year 2013 was our training wheels". Matchette went on to say that the goal is to
have visited nearly every region in the US within the next several years.

Mark Blackwell new MIC Chair

M

ARK Blackwell, Vice
President, Special
Projects, Polaris
Industries, has been elected
Chair of the MIC Board of
Directors. Blackwell has served
intermittently on the board
since the early 1980s and takes
over from outgoing Chair Larry
Little, who remains an active
elected board member after
having served as Chair for the
last 10 years.
“It is an honour for me to
serve the industry as Chair of
the MIC,” said Blackwell. “This
is a very exciting time for the
industry and for the MIC.
Although we certainly face
many challenges, I believe the
MIC’s work in providing
valuable research, educational
opportunities and government
relations and marketing
support are all vital to our

current and future success. Also,
I’d like to thank Larry for his
lengthy tenure and for
continuing service as a director.
On behalf of the members, the
other directors and the industry
at large, we are grateful for his
exemplary service, leadership,
counsel and investment.”
Blackwell added that one of
the many initiatives that he’s
excited about is the recent
implementation of the MIC’s
new dealer and retailer class of
membership. He said: “I am
excited about the many
benefits MIC can provide to
dealers, including the ever
expanding range of marketing
and statistical information, as
well as educational
opportunities like the new
webinar series. Plus, having
dealer representation across
the country will add a powerful

Dealer Expo moves to Chicago

B

Y the time you read this edition of American Motorcycle Dealer, the allnew AIMExpo at Orlando, Florida, will have taken place already.

The cycle of domestic US powersports industry expo discontent that gave rise
to the AIMExpo project, and the panic that the new show's announcement and
inexorable march towards apparent success triggered at Advanstar Inc., the
company that has owned and operated the 'Indy' Dealer Expo, appears to have
driven 'Indy' towards its final death throes.
After multiple versions of their response to the new rival came and went, the
latest twist in this particular example of self-destruction comes with Advanstar's
announcement not only of yet another change of date, but also now a change
of venue, too.
In the past the company has consistently insisted that, of all places, Chicago
would be one of the very worst host cities in which to stage the once preeminent domestic US powersports industry trade show, but their latest news is
indeed of a move for Dealer Expo to the notoriously expensive, rigidly unionized
and exhibitor-unfriendly embrace of Chicago's McCormick Place.
What is more, having seen AIMExpo defy Advanstar's historic insistence that
'sun-belt' venues were death for the business focus of trade show attendees by
successfully attracting over 400 exhibitors to the gentle climes of Florida in the
Fall, Advanstar has seen fit not just to move 'Indy' even further North, but swap
February for December!

18

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - NOVEMBER 2013

voice when the MIC works on
behalf of the industry on
legislative and regulatory
matters and increasing other
threats to our industry.”
The Motorcycle Industry
Council exists to preserve,
protect and promote
motorcycling through
government relations,
communications and media
relations, statistics and
research, aftermarket program,
development of data
communications standards, and
activities surrounding technical
and regulatory issues. As a notfor-profit, national industry
association, the MIC seeks to
support motorcyclists by
representing manufacturers,
distributors, dealers and
retailers of motorcycles,
scooters, ATVs, ROVs,
motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts,

Industry veteran Mark Blackwell has
been named Chair of the MIC Board
of Directors

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