Aftermarket Moto Design 282 January 2023 AMD 282 Jan 2023

JAN 2023
ZODIAC BIKERS BOOK # 44

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THE LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE AND PARTS INDUSTRY

Kawasaki Returns to AIMExpo amid Signs of Show Momentum

JAN 2023

ISSUE # 282
Letter from Ukraine
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 . " To be able to meet , face-to-face , with hundreds of dealers from across the country as we kick off the sales year is a tremendous opportunity . Dealers are often the first point of contact for our consumers - especially new riders - making them one of the most important ambassadors of our
products , therefore , it is our priority to ensure that we select only the best new dealers to represent the Kawasaki brand ." 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
Continues on page 24 >>>
RICK ' S MOTORCYCLES
INDIAN MY2023

TÖFFMÄSS

The second post-pandemic iteration of the ' Milan Show ' lacked a Harley presence as an estimated 470,000 enthusiasts crammed the aisles - some 38 % up on last year ... see pages 28-34 .
ZODIAC BIKERS BOOK # 44