2011 Indy Dealer Expo.....The Powersports Industry Lives!

Another Dealer Expo in Indy has come and gone; hands were shaken, drinks were drinked, massive amounts of food were consumed (Slippery Noodle Inn, burgers and blues, you simply have to go), and just like every prior year, I'm pretty sure some business got done as well........and the fact that there was business to be done at all is a very good thing. As you know the last few years haven't been particularly gentle for the good folks in the powersports industry.

A cool Road Glide trike......who knew!?

I should explain that this particular Expo was a bit of a first for me, after over two decades of loyal annual attendance (yeah, I remember when it was in Cincinnati....hell hole!) I was no longer playing my accustomed  role of a powersports retailer, plying the hallowed halls in search of yet another vendor/distributor/manufacturer to put the bite on........that must be why no one ran off this year, faking an urgent meeting! It was great to reconnect with old friends......at least those that didn't bolt.

No downsized booth for the Dunlop crew

Instead I was graciously offered an opportunity to work with Advanstar (these are the folks that produce the event, and put me up in the just opened JW Marriott, the best hotel ever.....thanks Tracy) team as a "Pillar Leader" for the marketing group in the Leadership Experience seminar program. My role was very behind the scenes, and given the top level of talent that Advanstar had recruited for the program, I had it pretty easy. The marketing group covered the gambit of topical issues such as; social media, e-commerce, email marketing campaigns and more. The feedback from session attendees was overwhelmingly positive, which tells me that if your future plans involve the Indy Dealer Expo, you owe it to yourself and your business to check out the Learning Experience. Special thanks to the marketing crew, you guys were a joy to work with; Heather Blessington and Peggy Olson (www.duowebsolutions.com), Craig Cervenka (www.edgenet.com) and Cat Mac Leod (www.bluepillproductions.com).

Being more or less free; only when my talent wrangling duties permitted of course, to slink about the exhibits I came away from the weekend cautiously optimistic about the industries future. Yes, attendance appeared to be off, and rather significantly, but given the carnage in the motorcycle market that has to be expected. Downsized booths were visible everywhere, as were some notable companies deciding to give the event a pass.........but that said, there was a pervasive positive energy to the whole event. Oh sure, dealers were looking for the next new thing, and hefty discounts on that next new thing to be sure, but they were also looking for strategies, insights, and tactics that would allow them to take advantage of the massive opportunities to gain market share in the current selling environment.....no doubt one of the reasons the Leadership Experience was so well attended.

Oh damn, I love this bike....and one will be mine, believe that

The powersports industry seems well on its way to adapting to the "new normal"; reduced sales volume, higher operating costs (OK, maybe not rent, if you're a business owner and have not gone after your landlord for rent concessions, I'm ashamed.......no really, don't even talk to me), and an uncertain near term economic environment. That said, interest in the sport of motorcycling is extremely strong. Make no mistake, motorcyclings appeal just may be at an all time high, the notion that motorcycling was had somehow outlived it's "time" is a bunch of dung. And stinky dung at that.

Cool custom, don't know if it won people's choice

Couple the passion of those in the business still standing with the rabid enthusiasm of the average motorcycle owner/rider and my guess is the industry will not only survive, but thrive for years to come..........bet on it.