AIMExpo - Over 17 OEM Exhibitors as Show Nears Capacity
Following news last month that Indian Motorcycle, Slingshot and Polaris are to return to AIMExpo in 2024, the OEM count now includes Suzuki, whose continued support for the show had been expected, but has now been confirmed.
This means the total list of exhibiting OEMs now includes Aprilia, GasGas, Husqvarna, Indian Motorcycle, Kawasaki, KTM, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, Piaggio, Polaris, Slingshot, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa and Yamaha.
Plus, there are several importers and distributors who will also be showcasing vehicle brands from around the world - from ATV and UTV/SxS models to on and off-highway internal combustion and electric models and brands.
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With Turn 14 Distribution having picked up some of the lead role that Tucker Powersports had at the show in the past couple of years - including sponsorship of the Industry Party - the recent addition of further distribution businesses such as Rocky Mountain ATV/MC and Automatic Distributors has seen the momentum that AIMExpo established in 2022 and 2023 sustained and accelerated.
Suzuki says it is building on the success of 2023 and expanding on that momentum as it heads into 2024 - "AIMExpo is a tremendous opportunity to connect with our existing dealer network, as well as potential new dealers who are interested in what Suzuki has to offer," said Chase Rastegar, Communications Manager, Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
"In February 2023 we were excited to show off two all-new models that were being seen for the first time at a show on American soil - the 2023 GSX-8S and V-STROM 800DE. For 2024 we look to increase the momentum, going into the show with a larger presence to showcase even more new models."
February 6-8 at Las Vegas will mark a 10th anniversary for a show that originally started as a 4-day combination trade and consumer expo at Orlando, Florida. AIMExpo experimented with Columbus, Ohio, for a couple of years, in an attempt to fill the Midwest gap left by the demise of the 'Indy' Dealer Expo and the V-Twin Expo at Cincinnati.
However, dropping anchor at Las Vegas appears to have allowed the show to convincingly establish and futureproof the new identity it was forced into adopting as a classic-formula three-day trade only event.
Though driven to doing so by questions of relevance, declining attendance and the effects of the Pandemic on all such events, the benefit of U.S. trade association ownership finally came into its own with the kind of long-term thinking and industry-first backing that a show project such as this always needed. Kudos to the MIC for staying the course!