Kawasaki Returns to AIMExpo amid Signs of Show Momentum
With Kawasaki confirming that it is to return to AIMExpo (Las Vegas Convention Center, February 15-17,2023,) it is starting to look like the MIC's January 2022 post-pandemic reboot of the show as a three-day industry only Expo, with the backing of Tucker's own dealer event dynamic, may indeed have been the rescue formula that it needed.
Kawasaki says that its Dealer Development & Training team will use AIMExpo "to connect and strategize with potential new dealers as it begins to grow its dealer network," said Kawasaki's Alan J. Schapel, Senior Manager, Dealer Development & Training.
The MIC's Expo team says that, as at early December, the show was slated to "commanding more than 250,000 sq ft of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Cinnamon Kernes, Vice President of Market Expansion at the MIC, said: "We are excited to have Kawasaki join us for AIMExpo 2023. Kawasaki was one of the earliest members of the MIC and has long been at the forefront of powersports trends and innovation. Its planned use of this show as a platform to connect with dealer prospects and focus on the B2B side of its business is exactly what AIMExpo is about - connecting the industry with the industry."
In addition to the Kawasaki decision, and LeMans' announcement of a business-center presence, one of the critical pathways that could help turn the 2022 reboot into a genuine pathway for building show momentum is Tucker Powersports' decision not just to return to AIMExpo but to "double down" (as CEO Marc Wolfram put it) on its investment.
It plans to make "a significant sponsorship investment and to stage a huge presence on the show floor" and this year will bring its sales force to the expo to optimize their ability to boost the business that its dealers can do with their brands and distributed product lines in 2023.
"Tucker will have an expansive 'campus' on the show floor to highlight the newest products from our twelve owned brands, as well as a special section for products which are offered exclusively through Tucker and to showcase the programs we have to support our 7,000+ dealers - including Tucker University, our online training program - and offer some fun with our sponsorship of the AIMExpo industry party."
AIMExpo says it has "invested heavily in the show's E-Bike Pavilion and Demo Ride area, and Tucker products will be a big part of the show. On Wednesday, the focus will be exclusively on Tucker's E-Power portfolio of products in that space."
"We've worked hard to provide Tucker dealers with everything they need to be prepared for the spring selling season," said Tucker's Director of Business Development, Jamie Kempinski. "Our team and the staff at AIMExpo are committed to making this the best show ever."
Education will again "take center stage at AIMExpo with an expanded educational series on the main stage and the return of dealer-focused classroom sessions."
"From electrification to the impacts of external economic forces and ever-changing best-business practices, our industry and the future it must face continues to evolve at a rapid pace," said Andre Albert, Director Marketing and Events, at the MIC. "We've developed an educational line-up for AIMExpo 2023 with that in mind, to deliver information and actionable content that attendees will be able to bring back to their businesses and see positive results."
The MIC Board of Directors will kick off the series on the main stage on Wednesday with a State of the Industry panel, followed by key data insights from industry economists David Savlowitz and Michael Ponton of Competitive Analytics. On Thursday, industry leaders such as Marc McAllister of Tucker Powersports, Paul Langley of Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties, and Chera Gibb of Arrowhead Engineered Products, will analyse what the future of powersports holds from the distributors' perspective with AIMExpo's first-ever Distributors Panel.
"This is shaping up to be our biggest, most comprehensive educational series," Albert said. "If you want to know what the powersports landscape is going to look like in the future, and what industry stakeholders are doing to prepare for it, then you can't miss this show."
In other show news, AIMExpo's 'New Product Central' will be designed to "put the best innovations front and center," with up to 30 companies selected to give special on-stage presentations of their new product designs.
"Our industry's critical R&D efforts are developing and delivering new products and features faster than ever before," said Kernes, "and the 'New Product Central' feature will bring these products - and the people behind them - to the forefront." A camera crew will record each session, and the content will be available for use by the presenting companies for the rest of the year.