Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/499779
10 • May 4, 2015 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com High demand for booth space expected at Northeast's largest snowmobile show Booth registration is open for the 22nd annual Big East Powersports Show, set for October 2-4 at the OnCenter in Syracuse, N.Y. With hefty amounts of snowfall this winter in the Eastern U.S., the show, hosted by Power- sports Business parent company EPG Media & Specialty Information, figures to thrive based on the 2014-15 riding season. The premier snowmobile and powersports event in the Northeast, it's the only show that allows con- sumers to see, buy and wear the latest snowmo- bile products from Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha, as well as the gambit of aftermar- ket companies. "Exhibit space will once again be at a pre- mium, so we encourage dealers and vendors who want to get booth space to start plan- ning early," said Mark Rosacker, national account manager for Powersports Business and sales director for the Big East show. "This show gives exhibitors a chance to meet face to face with their customer and not only sell them goods and services, but gain input on their product and build ongoing relationships; for those who do it right, it is invaluable." Dealers or companies inter- ested in exhibiting at the 22nd Annual Big East Powersports Show should call Rosacker a t 7 6 3 / 3 8 3 - 4 4 3 3 o r e m a i l mrosacker@snowgoer.com. Learn more about the show at www.big- eastpowersportsshow.com. The Big East Powersports Show and Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Expo are both pro- duced by EPG Media & Specialty Informa- tion, a Minnesota-based media company that publishes Snow Goer, Rider, Thunder Press, Powersports Business, Boating Industry, Cheers, Stateways, Beverage Dynamics, Fuel Oil News, Landscape & Irrigation, Arbor Age, Sports Turf and Outdoor Power Equipment magazines and those brands' related websites, digital products and shows and events within their markets. PSB Big East Snowmobile Show vendor registration begins time," Walters said. "That's what helped us stay flat. I think they realized that they were heavy on inventory in those side-by-sides. Incentives give a reason to drive customers to the storefront." Walters wasn't alone, as 49 percent of deal- ers reported that their side-by-side inventory was too heavy in the first quarter. Meyers agreed the OEM incentives can be a useful tool to get customers through the door, but they don't necessarily make or break a sale. "You're not going to pay all of your bills with incentives; you're just trying to create traf- fic. [Customers] will come in, look and apply. They may not qualify, but at least it got them to come in to see if they did," said Meyers. Fifty-four percent of dealers reported that new unit sales were "average" to "somewhat better" in comparison to the previous year. Heading into the rest of 2015, most dealers expect to see increases in every segment, except scooter. Meyers, like many others, is excited to see how his business performs during the rest of 2015. "We're going to be up. If we're up 5 percent I'd be happy. If we're up 10 percent, I'd be happier," he said. PSB SURVEY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 Polaris VP of Slingshot, snowmobiles retiring Jonikas ends 15-year stint; Wolf, Scanlon named VPs Polaris Industries Inc. announced that Mike Jonikas, vice president of Snowmobiles and Slingshot, will be retiring in May of this year. Over the past 15 years, Jonikas has been a leader for Polaris and the powersports industry, and has made significant contributions to both. Jonikas began his Polaris career in 2000 as a marketing director in the Off-Road Vehicles division, then went on to become the first GM of Side-by-Side vehicles, vice president of Sales & Corporate Marketing and On Road, and finally VP of Snowmobile and Slingshot. Under his guidance, Polaris' snowmobile business has reached new heights in perfor- mance — both from the vehicles themselves and from a sales perspective — while his work with Slingshot resulted in one of the most suc- cessful product launches in Polaris history. "Mike has been a passionate, dedicated and highly skilled business leader for Polaris over the past 15 years. During that period, he led and grew each of our vehicle businesses and transformed our sales and corporate marketing team, contributing significantly to our suc- cess," said Scott Wine, Polaris chairman and CEO. "Quite simply, Mike worked tirelessly to make Polaris a bigger, better and stronger company, and our gratitude and best wishes go out to Mike as he embarks on his new, more relaxing, adventures." "I have worked with so many great people during my time at Polaris, and it is their pas- sion and commitment that I will miss the most," Jonikas said. "Though I was present as Polaris broke through the $2, $3 and $4 bil- lion revenue barriers, launched any number of groundbreaking products and became a truly global business, it is the day-to-day interaction with the best team in powersports that always inspired me. As I leave, I am confident that the company is in great hands, and I look for- ward to seeing what they will accomplish." Subsequently, Polaris announced that Jon- ikas' responsibilities will be divided between two roles reporting directly to president and COO Bennett Morgan. Chris Wolf, currently general manager, Snowmobiles, will be pro- moted to vice president of that business, and Craig Scanlon will fill the role of vice presi- dent, Slingshot. "Mike's departure presents us with an opportunity to lever- age our incredibly deep pool of talent and fur- ther develop two out- standing performers," Wine said. "Expanding Chris Wolf's role into vice president, Snowmo- biles, allows him to con- tinue the work he and Mike did spearhead- ing the renaissance of our snowmobile divi- sion. And by promoting Craig Scanlon to vice president, Slingshot, we apply the experience of one of our largest busi- ness' chief architects toward leading a new business with substantial runway." Wolf started with Polaris in 2002, rising through roles in sales, service, and product management before advancing to director of Snowmobiles in 2011 and subsequently being promoted to general manager, Snowmobiles in 2014. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in mechani- cal engineering. Scanlon has been with Polaris since 2004, rising through a variety of ORV line manage- ment and sales positions prior to assuming the director, ORV sales and marketing role in 2010. Scanlon was further promoted to general man- ager, Side-by-Side vehicles in 2012. He gradu- ated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor's degree in accounting. PSB HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR CALENDAR Q1 (JAN.-MARCH) BUSINESS PERFORMANCE RELATIVE TO PLAN? HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE CUSTOMER TRAFFIC IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR? Above plan 21% On plan 32% Below plan 47% Source: Powersports Business/RBC Capital Markets Q1 Dealer Survey HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR CURRENT INVENTORY LEVELS BY LINE OF BUSINESS? 49% 39% 34% 37% 23% 34% 32% 56% 44% 58% 61% 58% 72% 62% 63% 31% 6% 3% 6% 5% 5% 4% 5% 13% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Side-by-Sides ATVs Heavyweight Motorcycles Sport Bikes Off-Road Bikes Scooters PWC Snowmobiles Too low About right Too heavy Source: Powersports Business/RBC Capital Markets Q1 Dealer Survey Significantly better 3% Somewhat better 32% About the same 25% Somewhat worse 33% Significantly worse 7% Exhibitors at last year's Big East Powersports Show experienced a large consumer turnout. The event is produced by EPG Media & Specialty Information. The Northeast snowmobile show features the latest snowmobile products from Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski- Doo and Yamaha, as well as aftermarket and apparel companies. CRAIG SCANLON CHRIS WOLF Mike Jonikas was the first general manager of side- by-side vehicles at Polaris and went on to become vice president of Slingshot and Snowmobiles. He's retiring in May after 15 years with the company.