As tear-down was underway at the downtown Cincinnati, Ohio exhibition center on Sunday 7th February, the almost universal sentiment among the show's loyal exhibitor community was that they had a good weekend.
After a long time suffering the effects of the downturn that started to savage the motorcycle industry in 2008, the spike seen in attendee engagement with exhibitors last year has proven to be a robust foundation.
Still the only expo of its kind, V-Twin Expo has reconfirmed its status as the market's primary business showcase with all the exhibitors that AMD Magazine spoke with pleased with the Saturday attendance, saying that of itself the crowds of qualified buyers in the aisles justified their investments.
For the first time in a couple of years (and the last time in a few more) the show clashed with the NFL Superbowl, and while that didn't appear to have deterred dealers on the Saturday of the expo, the Sunday crowd was thin.
The primary industry concerns expressed by exhibitors over the weekend for once had nothing to do with the market's competing shows and events.
It was Harley-Davidson's performance and continuing alarm at the consolidation and vendor instability in the market that exercised minds.
In the case of Harley-Davidson rumors circulated about a new liquid-cooled engine that would appear to be finally ready for debut later this year. However, reports concerning its likely deployment primarily appeared to focus on it being a new Touring platform replacement for the existing line of Twin Cam engines, not as the basis of a much needed new platform that could add new rider demographics to the 'Bar 'n' Shield' balance sheet.
Aftermarket concern about Harley-Davidson's present corporate malaise and aging product offer was palpable.
In strategic terms the market is painfully aware of the challenges that the conventional parts and accessory product channels are facing, with pressure from market consolidation and increasing bypassing of brick and mortar outlets compromising dealer profits, reducing vendor turnovers and forcing smaller vendors still further to the margins.
Always the life blood of the custom parts and accessory industry, and a rich vein of returnees for V-Twin Expo, the more difficult life gets for the specialists the poorer the market becomes for our customers.
Here are the dates for future V-Twin Expos ...
2017 V-Twin Expo January 28-29, 2017
2018 V-Twin Expo January 27-28, 2018
2019 V-Twin Expo January 26-27, 2019
2020 V-Twin Expo February 1-2, 2020