Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/485263
Dealers agree that October in Orlando is working BY DAVE MCMAHON EDITOR IN CHIEF The timing and location of AIMExpo both have apparently hit the target after all. According to an AIMExpo post-event sur- vey of dealers who attended the 2014 event in Orlando, 4 out of 5 are either "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the October timing of the event. In fact, 58 percent of the dealers surveyed replied that they were "very satisfied" with the October timing, with another 24 percent responding as "satisfied." Similarly, 92 percent of responding dealers who attended AIMExpo said they were either "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the location of AIMExpo. "We're very gratified, but certainly not surprised at what we learned from dealers' responses to the survey," said Larry Little, AIMExpo vice president and general man- ager. "There's a reason we picked October in Orlando. From the earliest research we knew retailers were looking for a better market-timed fall date and especially a location with a more welcoming climate. It's a bonus that Orlando is the No. 1 tourist destination in North America." Once again in 2015, AIMExpo will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, from Oct. 15-18. The survey also shows that dealers are pleased with the Orlando location. When asked if they prefer that AIM- Expo remain in Orlando or move to different markets every few years, 76 percent replied that they prefer that AIMExpo stays in Orlando, with 24 percent prefer that it move different markets every few years. Dealers were almost unanimous in their satisfaction with AIMExpo, as 92 percent were either "very satisfied" or "satisfied" when asked to rate their satisfaction with AIMExpo. Even more, 93 percent of deal- ers responding to the survey who attended AIMExpo in 2014 plan to do so again in 2015. And 97 percent of dealers responding to the survey who attended AIMExpo in 2014 would recommend AIMExpo to other compa- nies in the motorcycle industry. Dealers in large part attend AIMExpo for a variety of reasons, mostly aimed at enhancing their business upon returning from the show. When asked the reasons why they attend AIM- Expo, a leading 94 percent selected "view new product," and that was followed by "meet with distributors" from 84 percent. "Meet with a specific brand or company" (71 percent), "get ideas and inspiration for improving your busi- ness" (69 percent), "meet and network with industry peers" (58 percent), "meet with OEM representatives" (56 percent), "education" (45 percent), "demo new product" (40 percent) and "order new product for the 2015 selling season" (30 percent) also provided dealers with reasons to attend AIMExpo. "Done properly, shows like AIMExpo create value for the industry with dynamic face-to- face environments. Dealers who attended were surrounded by opportunities to improve their business through PSBI@AIMExpo seminars, and could meet with industry partners and suppliers while being the first to see a wealth of new products that will end up for sale in their stores. The survey clearly shows that dealers who attended believe it was an exception- ally worthwhile investment of their time and resources. We're looking forward to welcoming a significantly larger number of retailers to this year's event." For the third consecutive year, Powersports Business will host and manage the Powers- ports Business Institute @ AIMExpo, the most complete dealer training sessions of their kind. Seminar topics and speakers will be selected in the coming weeks. Of those dealers surveyed who attended the PSBI@AIMEXPO in 2014, 48 percent attended two to four sessions, and an additional 23 per- cent attended five or more sessions. Four out of five dealers described their satisfaction with the PSBI@AIMEXPO as either "very satisfied" or "satisfied." PSB 6 • April 6, 2015 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com Surveys shows timing, location right for AIMExpo HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH THE TIMING OF AIMEXPO (OCTOBER)? OVERALL, HOW WOULD YOU RATE YOUR SATISFACTION WITH AIMEXPO? ARE YOU PLANNING ON ATTENDING AIMEXPO [IN 2015]? HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH THE LOCATION OF AIMEXPO (ORLANDO)? WOULD YOU PREFER AIMEXPO REMAINED IN ORLANDO, OR MOVED TO DIFFERENT MARKETS EVERY FEW YEARS? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AIMEXPO TO OTHER COMPANIES IN THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY? Very satisfied 58% Satisfied 24% Neutral 10% Somewhat unsatisfied 6% Very unsatisfied 2% Very satisfied 56% Satisfied 36% Neutral 6% Somewhat unsatisfied 2% Yes 93% No 7% Yes 97% No 3% Very satisfied 68% Satisfied 24% Neutral 5% Somewhat unsatisfied 2% Very unsatisfied 1% Orlando 76% Different Markets 24% Source: 2014 AIMExpo Dealer Post-Event Survey City unanimous in support of dealership's new store Fox Powersports to open 56,000 square-foot store in Michigan Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Fox Powersports announced that it has received unanimous site plan approval from the City of Wyoming Planning Commission for the development of a 56,300-square-foot powersports superstore on seven acres at 4500 Clyde Park Ave. SE, located at the intersection of Clyde Park and 44th Street. Fox Powersports will develop the campus to be the premier powersports dealership in Michigan, the company said. The super- store will carry motorcycles, scooters, snow- mobiles, watercraft, ATVs and UTVs from Aprilia, Arctic Cat, Can-Am, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Sea-Doo, Ski- Doo, Suzuki, Vespa and Yamaha. Internal features will include amenities for vehicle, apparel and accessories sales, service and storage. Additional features of the dealer- ship will include an onsite dyno and a café and coffee bar with outdoor patio areas for events. "The new superstore is designed to be the destination spot for the powersports commu- nity as we cover on the road, off the road and in the water. Our customers will have an experi- ence of a lifetime; whether they are there to enjoy the lifestyle, shop or service, we will have something for everyone," said Diane R. Maher, Fox Powersports president and COO. "Both our employees and manufacturer teams are excited about the growth of our stores and uniting as the powersports authority in the state." Current Fox Powersports operations Fox Shawmut Hills and Fox Powersports of Kentwood, both in Grand Rapids will be relocated to the new superstore. Job growth is expected upon completion of the super- store and will be released as more details become available. In addition, there are two out lots on the campus next to Fox Powersports with prime street frontage that are available for sale or lease. The powersports superstore was designed by Concept Design LLC, in conjunction with Designwork Studios. Construction is projected to begin this year with completion scheduled for early 2016. Fox Powersports, a division of Fox Motors, currently operates five dealerships in Michigan and Illinois. Brands include Aprilia, Arctic Cat, Can-Am, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda Powersports & Equipment, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo, Suzuki, Tri- umph, Vespa and Yamaha. PSB "The new superstore is designed to be the destination spot for the powersports community as we cover on the road, off the road and in the water. Diane R. Maher, President and COO, Fox Powersports