Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/575161
12 • October 5, 2015 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com Marketplace Events sells industry trade show to MIC The Motorcycle Industry Council announced it has acquired the Motorcycle Group business segment from Marketplace Events LLC. The acquisition includes the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo), America's pre- mier motorcycle and powersports show and the only powersports event in North America that caters to trade, media and consumers all under one roof, timed to showcase the powersports industry's new model year product unveilings. AIMExpo's show personnel, sales staff and management, including AIMExpo show director Cinnamon Kernes, and AIMExpo show creators Mike Webster and Larry Little, will form a new department within MIC titled "MIC Events." "AIMExpo's early success has been the ability to prove an innovative concept that has delivered for exhibitors and attendees beyond what was envisioned when we conceived the concept just three years ago," said AIMExpo co-creators Webster and Little. "We recognized the opportunity to take it to another level of industry value and excellence with the blue- ribbon reputation and capabilities of the MIC, and the power of its membership, management and services to get us there. We presented our recommendation to Marketplace Events LLC management, and they agreed." "In 2012, Marketplace Events made the commitment — under the leadership of Mike Webster — to launch AIMExpo with the explicit goal of changing and re-energizing the powersports business, and our AIMExpo team has been intensely focused and true to that promise," said Marketplace Events CEO, Tom Baugh. "In less than three years, the AIM- Expo platform has become the most important annual gathering for the industry. We're very proud MPE successfully incubated AIMExpo, but we recognize the event will reach its full potential and greatest benefit to the industry under MIC ownership." Dennis McNeal, MIC chair, and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.'s vice president - Motorcycle Operations, said, "MIC's primary goal is to ensure the show's ongoing growth and success, and that requires not only a depth of trade-show experience, but broad experience in our industry. Mike Webster, Larry Little, Cinnamon Kernes and the entire AIMExpo team have that kind of experience, and the MIC board of directors, by unanimous vote, is excited to have them join the staff of the MIC." "The concept of MIC owning AIMExpo is actually quite common in the association world where many trade shows are owned or operated by their industry trade associations," said Little. "This strategic configuration makes it much easier to build on existing industry syner- gies, align the industry's key stakeholders and connect manufacturers and distributors of products and services in a valued face-to-face environment with retailers and consumers who have the greatest interest in their offerings." "Overall plans for the 2015 show absolutely remain business as usual," said AIMExpo show director Cinnamon Kernes. "For exhibitors, dealers, media and consumers it's absolutely business as usual, and no additional actions on their part are required. Our focus is sharper than ever, and the team is committed to pro- ducing the industry's best show experience once again this year. We look forward to wel- coming everyone back to Orlando in October!" AIMExpo 2015 will take place October 15 through 18 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The show is open to credentialed trade and media professionals on October 15-16. The show then opens to the general public on October 17-18. This year's AIMExpo is ramping up to be the largest and most impactful event to date with more manufacturers, vendors, dealers and media outlets scheduled to attend. For more informa- tion, please visit mic.org/AIMExpo.aspx. The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcy- cling through government relations, com- munications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, devel- opment of data communications standards, activities surrounding technical and regula- tory issues, and the American International Motorcycle Expo. The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metro- politan Washington, D.C. PSB AIMExpo acquired by Motorcycle Industry Council The Motorcycle Industry Council has purchased AIMExpo from Marketplace Events. (Front row, left) Tom Baugh, CEO Marketplace Events; Tim Buche, president and CEO MIC; and Mark White, CFO Marketplace Events. (Back row, left) Larry Little, VP & GM MIC Events; Erik Pritchard, general counsel, MIC; Jen Dreis, MIC; and Mike Webster, SVP, MIC Events.