4 • March 2024 • Powersports Business

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inaccurate , we just didn ’ t see crowds of dealers . It was more like a smattering or a gaggle of dealers wandering through in a sea of blue .

But in our conversations with other exhibitors , most seemed very happy with the people they had in their booths and their discussions with dealers and potential buyers . One exhibitor I ’ ve known for many years and who usually criticizes these events said it was the best AIMExpo so far . That was eye-opening because he generally finds something to complain about .

We saw several dealers from our Accelerate conference walking around the show and others who stopped by the booth , but we were also concerned with the lack of red badges on our aisle , even though we had decent foot traffic in our little tucked out-ofthe-way booth in the 5000 row . Our location reminded me of when I worked a booth at SEMA next to a column that blocked half the row – out of sight , out of mind .

Our neighbors to the left came in thinking they would sign up dealers , only to leave the show disappointed . Was it the booth location ? Presentation ? Lack of dealers or just apathy toward their Chinese knock-off products ? My gut says it was a little “ all of the above ” syndrome for them . However , our neighbors on the other side seemed to have a great show with decent traffic on the corner of the aisle . While they had more signage and banners sticking out than a used car lot on a Saturday , they were more than pleased with the kind of engagement they received .

With 20 OEMs represented on the show floor , much of the available space was dedicated to them , and we saw some brands we ’ d never seen before , which was a welcome addition . However , between the giant Turn 14 Distribution booth , Parts Unlimited and Rocky MTN ATV / MC booths , many of the more independent aftermarket brands were drowned out or not there at all . Traffic at a 10 x 10 booth depended on the location of said booth . I saw several exhibitors with relatively empty booths and reps with their heads in their phones . I ’ m not saying those are related , but it doesn ’ t help lure dealers in when you don ’ t look interested in talking to anyone .

We also had good conversations with dealers and exhibitors this year , and many were genuinely amped about the recovery of the event . However , others were not so thrilled with the turnout . It just goes to show you can ’ t please everyone . The show has been resilient , and I have no doubt it will continue for at least another decade ( hopefully more ).

Kawasaki rolled out the Ninja ZX-10R in Orlando in 2016 with several interested onlookers vying for position to get photos .

MotoAmerica announcer Greg White was the show MC for the first few years . Here in 2017 , he gives us a press briefing at the BRP booth .

10 YEARS OF AIMEXPO BY THE NUMBERS :

2013 AIMExpo - the first show in Orlando Exhibiting Companies : 392 Total Attendance : 13,219 Consumer Attendance : 7,781 Dealer / Industry Professionals : 2,417 Exhibitor Attendance : 2,798 Countries Represented : 49 Credentialed Media Professionals : 223 PSB Institute Participants : 870

From our timecapsule of AIMExpo photos : Japanese artist Makoto Endo was on hand in Columbus for the 2017 event .

In 2014 , the show had a noticeable increase in attendees and exhibitors inside Orlando ’ s Orange County Convention Center , with more than 3,000 dealers / industry professionals . 501 : Exhibiting companies 18,145 : Total attendance 11,123 : Consumer attendance 3,068 : Dealer / industry professionals 3,713 : Exhibitor and staff 241 : Credentialed media professionals 51 : Countries represented 842 : PSB Institute Participants

2015 saw the show grow under MIC ownership as it had 560 exhibitors and 3,300 dealers and industry pros for the trade days in Orlando .

In 2016 , the show reached a crescendo in Orlando with more than 12,000 attendees , but the exhibitor badges outnumbered the dealer badges by 3,029 to 2,459 during the trade-only days . Even with the weatherrelated challenges that year , trade day attendees represented 1,116 dealerships from 49 states and Puerto Rico .

2017 AIMExpo moved to Columbus , Ohio , with 490 exhibitors ( vs . 451 in 2016 ) and a record nine OEMs offering demo rides at AIMExpo Outdoors . A busy first day of dealers on the show floor showed promise for the event ’ s move to Ohio ’ s central location . The second day did not follow on from the first , and dealer traffic was much lighter . Overall , 2,090 dealer attendees from 1,034 dealerships attended over the show ’ s four

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