Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/575161
OPINION FROM THE EDITOR 18 • October 5, 2015 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com We've been counting down the days to AIMExpo, and now that it's here, we're thrilled to be call- ing Orlando home for nearly a week later this month. By now you've heard that the Motorcycle Industry Council has purchased AIMExpo from Marketplace Events. The great news is the AIMExpo staff in its entirety will make the move a short mile up the road to MIC headquarters in Irvine, Calif. After the show, of course. The long and short of the deal is that AIMExpo was offered to the MIC and the MIC only, and would have remained a property of Marketplace Events if the MIC had opted not to purchase it. But after seeing the success of trade shows being run by the trade associa- tions in other industries, the transaction makes a lot of sense. In the end, I think the MIC Events group will be better suited to help land more butts on seats, which is what we all seek. In the meantime, you can discuss any industry top- ics of your choosing at the 2nd annual Powersports Business Institute @ AIMExpo Kickoff Networking Reception sponsored by Manheim Specialty Auctions. Book your time now for the outdoor event, since we'll all have plenty of inside time during the show. We're getting started at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the pool balcony of the Rosen Centre Hotel adjacent to the Orange County Conven- tion Center. You can't miss it. The inaugural event last year was a huge hit, so much so that with Manheim's support, we're able to host it again. All industry members — dealers, exhibi- tors, etc. — are encouraged to attend the free networking event. Just bring your AIMExpo badge for entry! We'll have apps and drinks, and celebrate the start of another successful event in Orlando. Of course, the 3rd annual Powersports Business Institute @ AIMExpo sponsored by CDK Global Recreation and National Power- sport Auctions is bigger and better than ever. We've added a fifth track this year, with the Brick and Mortar Success Guide track being housed in the Rider's Garage on the show floor itself. The remaining four tracks will be located in meeting rooms across the hall from the show floor entrance in the OCCC. Thanks to track sponsors Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions (Sales & Mar- keting), ARI Network Services (Leadership Plus), McGraw Powersports (Powering Profits) and PSB (Service & Operations), we're able to present a lineup that will offer something for everyone. Whether you're a dealership owner who has not missed AIMExpo or a rookie in sales making your debut, be sure to check out the lineup in its entirety on Pages 58-59. Also, there's a nifty schedule and speaker bios available on the AIMExpo app, which makes for a handy source, too. Seminar days are Thursday and Friday. Powersports Business saw unmatched success in the third year of the Power 50 Dealer Awards program. In fact, we had to extend our deadline for applications a grand total of zero times! So thanks in advance for your wintertime completion of the applications. We on the editorial staff at PSB perused them all spring and summer, and we are pumped to gather the top 50 dealers in North America on Thursday, Oct. 15 in the OCCC to celebrate their successes. The program will once again include a look at the highlights from each dealership application, as well as a countdown of the Top 5 dealerships. In addition, we'll showcase a hand- ful of Best in Class dealerships. Finally, we'll announce the Power 50 No. 1 dealer in North America. If you're not on the list but think you ought to be (and if you don't mind entrusting me with your confidential sales data — cuz this ain't no photo contest!), drop me an email or stop me in Orlando. We will be glad to get a Power 50 application to you when the 2016 program launches in January. The program is taking a major step forward in 2015, not only with dealership applications, but also with sponsorship support. Thanks to Power 50 spon- sors EFG Companies and National Powersport Auc- tions, we'll be able to accommodate the largest crowd in the growing history of the Power 50 Awards dinner. Check us out at the show if you'd like to learn more about ways to participate in the industry's most selec- tive dealer awards program. SIDE-BY-SIDES GALORE It seems like not a week has passed in recent months without mention of side-by-side growth. CFMOTO's U.S. operations posted first half results that were the best in company history. In fact, it's an extremely posi- tive sign for the brand that Mr. Guogui Lai, chairman of CFMOTO global operations, continues to collect frequent flyer miles en route to U.S. headquarters. A few miles up the road on Minnesota 55, Arctic Cat's new CEO Chris Metz has the company moving in the right direction. I had a chance to chat with new chief marketing officer Greg Williamson over lunch a few weeks ago, and I think Cat dealers will be pleased with what the future brings, side-by-side included. Of course, Yamaha's all-new pure sport five-speed YXZ1000R took the industry by storm. I took only a couple of laps in the passenger's seat around a demo track at the launch event in Long Beach, Calif., and I'm already waiting to see what this innovative product brings to the industry. Then there's the head-turning Honda Pioneer 1000, and the Kawasaki Mule Pro-FX. Did I mention the Hisun Strike 1000? Keep an eye on the growth of other companies from Asia that are expanding in Georgia, such as Linhai and Kubota. It's a segment that continues to grow, and we can't wait to learn more about the market from our industry col- leagues at AIMExpo. PSB Dave McMahon is editor in chief of Powersports Busi- ness. Contact him at 763/383-4411 or dmcmahon@powersportsbusiness.com. 1. Yamaha unveils new 2016 YXZ1000R sport UTV 2. Major retail financer exiting powersports industry 3. Jury returns defense verdict in favor of BRP in Sea-Doo jet boat suit 4. UTV manufacturer expanding operations in Georgia, adding 80 jobs 5. AIMExpo acquired by Motorcycle Industry Council 6. Polaris looks to add to Wyoming, Minn., facility 7. Honda Project 2&4 combines 999cc motorcycle engine with four wheels 8. Yamaha releases 2016 motorcycles 9. Harley-Davidson launches 2016 lineup 10. Arctic Cat unveils dealer meeting video, names top dealers 11. Triumph Motorcycles fined $2.9 million by NHTSA 12. Arctic Cat unveils new 2016 ATV lineup 13. Arctic Cat relocating headquarters to downtown Minneapolis 14. Honda releases pricing on CRF1000L Africa Twin 15. Royal Enfield relaunching 144-year-old brand in North America The headlines above belong to the most frequently viewed articles from Powersports Business' three-times weekly e-news during the Aug. 19-Sept. 15 period. The number is based on the percentage of e-news viewers who clicked on the article's headline. To subscribe to e-news, go to www.powersportsbusiness.com/newsletter-signup. WHAT'S THE HOTTEST INDUSTRY TOPIC? Powersports Business blog ONLINE WITH POWERSPORTSBUSINESS.COM Leading industry executives and dealer consultants are among the contributors to PSB's blog. See below for recent blogs. Dealer training seminars, Power 50 dinner: It's time! Visit powersportsbusiness.com/blogs Check out Sea-Doo on YouTube Want to hear more about Sea-Doo's newest editions? Head to the Powersports Business YouTube page at www.youtube.com/ powersportsbusiness1 and check out some of our newest videos of the new 2016 lineup. Tune in to next month's edition for more coverage on Sea-Doo and BRP's other Club BRP announcements. LESLIE PREVISH Founder, Prevish Marketing Some girls seem born with an innate interest in technology, while others have cultivated it throughout their lives. Here are some ideas to both encourage and build relationships with STEM girls, who may then become future customers. CHRIS CLOVIS Vice President, EagleRider Motorcycles Start with yourself: Focus on discipline, organization and scheduling. Start a little earlier, stay a bit later. Never stop executing: Responding, thinking, taking notes, following-up, focusing and deliv- ering. You'll be amazed at how much much more you accomplish. MARK MOONEY Principal, Mark Mooney PowerSports Consulting Every department in your dealership has the responsibility to contribute to the dealership's profitability. The responsibility in making sure this happens and begins at the top. That responsibility reoccurs every day that you open your doors. JENNIFER ROBISON National Retail Specialist, Tucker Rocky The goal of any store is to showcase brands and products, improve sales to customers that are loyal, attract new customers and improve dwell time (time in store and boost impulse sales). Store design is a key part of this. DAVE McMAHON CFMOTO Regional Sales Managers gathered in Minnesota for an introduc- tion to the 2016 model lineup, including the 2016 ZFORCE 800 EX (shown). (From left) Pete Reece, Mid-Atlantic; Jay Danis, Northeast; Dave Hrejsa, Great Lakes; Steve Christian, Northwest; Donnie Hill, Southeast; Mr. Lai, chairman of CFMOTO; Jason Browning, South; Tony Heck, Midwest; and Dave Auringer, CFMOTO U.S. vice president of sales & dealer development.