American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 174 January 2014 | Page 24

THE BRADLEY REPORT MIC Board of Directors elected AS the Motorcycle Industry Council goes into its 100th anniversary year, its members recently elected Steve Menneto, Larry Little and Sarah Schilke to each serve two-year terms on the Board of Directors. Menneto has held multiple positions with Polaris, including Director of North America Sales and General Manager of Victory Motorcycles. Currently, Menneto is Polaris’ Vice President, Motorcycles, and leads the return of the Indian Motorcycles brand. As Vice President and General Manager, Motorcycle Group for Marketplace Events, Little recently spearheaded the successful launch of the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) at Orlando, Florida, in October. Prior to that, he was Senior VP, Chief Brand Officer, of Cycle World. Previously Little had served as Chairman of the MIC Board of Directors for 10 years and Vice Chairman for six. Schilke, formerly with Advanstar Communcations, currently serves as Marketing and Public Relations Manager for Schuberth North America. “We’re excited that so many talented people have sought positions on the MIC Board, and we’re looking forward to significant contributions from all Board members as we chart the course for our industry association, ” said MIC Board Chair Mark Blackwell. www.mic.org Helmet City 2014 DELRAY Beach, Florida based specialist Helmet City has updated its dealer catalog with additional shell styles and graphics for 2014. Founded in 1997, Helmet City is a true specialist – “helmets are everything that we do, and the only thing that we do” says CEO Al Sobel. “We offer Open-Face, HalfHelmets, Full-Face helmets, Flip-Ups with retractable visors and a range of Polo half helmet designs that gives dealers access to a program that means they have something for every rider that walks into their store. "Altogether we offer over 100 shell styles and graphics options in up to 6 sizes and at any one time we have over $1m of inventory in stock "We offer over 100 styles and graphics options and at any one time we have over a million dollars in inventory ready to ship" Chop-In Block Traveling Roadshop – a unique event opportunity for parts vendors MAKING its debut at the V-Twin Expo this year, the Chop-In Block 53 foot semi-trailer based traveling roadshow is an outdoor event vendor promotional and marketing opportunity being offered and operated by a consortium of leading customizers. Gary Maurer of Kustoms Inc. says that “what will really stand out about the Chop-In Block trailer will be the dynamic interactive attraction that will support our sponsors’ products, literature and brands. “Outfitted as a complete chopper workshop, we will be building a one-off custom bike that will be auctioned off for charity at Sturgis, 24 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - JANUARY 2014 and ready for immediate dispatch" “All our helmets meet or, generally, exceed DOT standard; all the way from the ABS shell novelty Polo half helmets right up to our top of the range Carbon Fiber full face. “A long time ago we decided that we would be a wholesale only business and despite the downturn we have stuck to that principle – dealers who buy from us won’t find us discounting out the products they’ve invested in for their stores at Al and Delores Sobel remain committed to the wholesale only policy that they started the business with in 1997 and will have their usual booth at the upcoming V-Twin Expo rallies or swap meets”. For a copy of the 2014 Helmet City catalog email National Sales Director Elaine Mixon ([email protected]) or visit their website at www.helmetsales.com to see the full range online. and working on various projects, putting out what many don’t generally get to see behind the closed doors of their local custom shop. “While building the bikes, our sponsors products, literature and brands will be seen in use and on display, and will be recognized regularly during each and every event, supported by lectures that will include sponsor product highlights and motorcycle industry talks with the emphasis on skilled trades such as welding, pipe bending, cutting, metal finishing, sheet metal shaping and much more”. From a sponsor point of view the Chop-In Block traveling roadshow represents a much lower cost alternative or additional opportunity to have products seen at most of the year’s annual events – such as Laconia, Daytona, Sturgis, Iowa Grand, Vegas and many others. So far sponsors have included the likes of Mid-USA Motorcycle Parts, James Gaskets, Ride Wright Wheels, Spectro Oils, Rivera Primo, Biker’s Choice and IronWorks magazine. Backed up by multimedia via internet and social media through Instagram, Facebook and their own website, more information is available from Gary Maurer of Kustoms Inc ([email protected]), Ron Harris of Chop Docs Choppers ([email protected]) or Jesse Srpan of Raw Iron Choppers ([email protected]). www.chop-inblock.com www.AMDchampionship.com