Equip Exposition, the largest outdoor power equipment trade show in the U.S., recently announced plans for a two-city rotation beginning in 2029.
In 2029, the annual show will be held at the Orlando County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, Oct. 10-12, with additional shows in Orlando in 2031 and 2033. Equip Expo will be in Louisville, Kentucky, this year, as well as in 2028, 2030, and 2032.
According to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns and manages the show, the two-city rotation will expand global access with direct international air traffic and new venue choices for attendees and exhibitors, while enhancing outdoor demonstration opportunities in Louisville.
“This rotation gives our exhibitors and attendees the best of both worlds,” says Kris Kiser, president of OPEI. “Orlando has space for our members to host dealer meetings, provides additional co-location opportunities, and offers expanded venue choice for exhibitor and attendee programming. The rotation also allows us to work with Louisville on enhancing its unique outdoor demo area — the only venue of its kind in the country.”
Since OPEI assumed full management of Equip Exposition in 2022, the show has grown in attendance, exhibit space, and revenue. The 2025 show expanded to 1.2 million square feet and drew nearly 30,000 registered attendees from all 50 states and 52 countries, marking an attendance and net square footage record for the fourth year in a row.
Equip Expo 2026 will be held from Oct. 20-23 in Louisville. Last year, it debuted a newly expanded UTV test track as part of the 30-acre Outdoor Demo Yard. For 2026, OPEI and Equip have already initiated conversations with local partners, including Louisville Tourism and Kentucky Venues, about further enhancing the show’s Outdoor Demo Yard experience at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
National Powersport Auctions (NPA) is strengthening its leadership and sales organization with two key moves aimed at better supporting dealers nationwide, including the appointment of a new territory sales manager in the Pacific Northwest and the promotion of a longtime executive to chief revenue officer.
NPA announced Feb. 6 that industry veteran Randy Mullinix has joined the company as territory sales manager for the Pacific Northwest, covering Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Mullinix will be based out of NPA’s Portland, Oregon operations and will work directly with dealers to support pre-owned inventory management across all brands.
Mullinix brings more than 40 years of powersports experience to the role, with a background that spans dealership service, parts and sales, as well as manufacturing and business development roles dating back to 2007. His experience includes time as an account manager, regional manager and business development manager, giving him a broad understanding of dealership operations and remarketing challenges.
“This industry is built on relationships with like-minded people,” Mullinix says. “I’m excited to connect with dealers throughout the Pacific Northwest and help support their inventory needs across all brands.”
Mike Murray, NPA vice president of sales, said Mullinix’s experience will help dealers maximize the value of NPA’s remarketing tools.
“His experience and strategic insight will help dealers better utilize NPA for managing their pre-owned inventory,” Murray says. Dealers can contact Mullinix at rmullinix@npauctions.com.
In a separate announcement earlier this year, NPA promoted Ryan Keefe to chief revenue officer, expanding his leadership responsibilities across the company’s sales and marketing operations. In the newly created role, Keefe oversees dealer sales, institutional sales, RV and marine, DirectBuy, marketing and events. Keefe has been with NPA for 16 years, beginning as media manager before advancing through marketing leadership roles, most recently serving as vice president of marketing. His tenure has coincided with significant growth in NPA’s dealer services and brand footprint.
“Ryan’s passion for the powersports industry and his ability to drive results make him the ideal leader to take on this role,” says Jim Woodruff, NPA CEO. “His strategic vision and commitment to our partners and customers have been instrumental to NPA’s success.”
A lifelong powersports enthusiast from a multi-generational motorcycling family, Keefe said the new role allows him to further support dealers and industry partners.
“This industry has always been more than a career for me — it’s a way of life,” Keefe shares. “I’m excited to continue working with such a passionate team and to see how NPA continues to contribute to the future of powersports and recreational vehicles.”
The leadership moves underscore NPA’s continued investment in dealer-focused services and long-term growth as one of the industry’s leading powersports remarketing platforms.
The Motorcycle Industry Council submitted an opposition letter on H.R. 3385, a bill moving through Congress that would change the federal motorcycle definition in a way that excludes certain three-wheeled vehicles currently regulated as motorcycles.
The new bill would redefine a motorcycle as: A vehicle originally manufactured with a seat or saddle requiring the rider to sit astride, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, steered by handlebars, and controlled by handlebar and foot controls.
MIC argues that H.R. 3385 seeks to narrow the federal definition of a “motorcycle” by excluding three-wheeled vehicles equipped with steering wheels, pedals, and bucket seats — commonly referred to as autocycles.
Most notably, the Polaris Slingshot, which features a steering wheel and bucket seats, would be the biggest brand affected if the bill passes.
In a letter to members of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, MIC contends that federal law currently lacks a separate autocycle safety category. The removal of these vehicles from the motorcycle definition would place them in “classification limbo,” making it illegal to sell or register them.
And although this is a federal law, several states tie their definitions of motorcycles to the federal one. Any changes to that definition could disrupt registration and operation rules in multiple states.
Supporters of the bill say it would bring regulatory clarity by narrowing the federal definition of a motorcycle. However, opponents of the bill, like MIC, say it would result in the immediate withdrawal of certain product lines from the U.S. market and harm OEMs and dealerships nationwide.
The powersports industry is mourning the passing of George Barber, founder of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, who died at age 85.
Barber, whose name is synonymous with motorcycle preservation and heritage, built what is widely recognized as the world’s largest collection of historic motorcycles. His museum, located in Birmingham, Alabama, houses more than 1,800 motorcycles spanning more than a century of two-wheel history.
For the powersports industry, Barber’s legacy extends well beyond collecting. His investment in preservation, restoration, and racing helped elevate the profile of vintage motorcycling in North America and globally, supporting a thriving aftermarket, restoration specialists and enthusiast-driven events.
The son of George H. Barber, founder of Barber Dairy, Barber’s passion for motorsports began with sports car racing in the 1960s, where he raced and maintained his own Porsche competition cars.
His focus later shifted to motorcycles, where he began acquiring and restoring vintage machines. To support the effort, Barber assembled a skilled team of restorers and launched a vintage racing team that competed in the United States and Europe.
In 1994, the museum achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. In 2003, the collection moved to its current home — an 830-acre complex that also includes the 2.38-mile Barber Motorsports Park road circuit, now a major venue for motorcycle and automotive racing events.
Barber was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2014 for his longstanding commitment to preserving motorcycle history.
Beyond its cultural significance, the museum and adjacent motorsports park have become economic drivers for the region, attracting enthusiasts, racers and international visitors. The facility regularly hosts major motorcycle events, contributing to OEM, aftermarket and dealer engagement through vintage racing and enthusiast gatherings.
For dealers and industry stakeholders, Barber’s work helped sustain interest in heritage brands, classic restorations and collector markets — segments that continue to influence modern product design, apparel trends and brand storytelling.
The American Motorcyclist Association said Barber’s dedication to preservation ensured that generations of riders and industry professionals could experience and learn from the machines that shaped motorcycling’s evolution.
Additional details regarding memorial arrangements have not yet been announced.
Turn 14 Powersports, the Owned Brands division of Turn 14 Distribution, has appointed Caitlyn Williams as Central regional sales manager.
In the role, Williams will oversee dealer development, regional growth initiatives and sales strategy across the company’s portfolio of house brands throughout the Central U.S. She will be based in Texas and collaborate with the company’s sales, marketing and brand teams to strengthen dealer support and expand market penetration.
Williams joins Turn 14 Powersports with OEM field experience at Segway Powersports and HISUN Motors, where she focused on dealer network expansion, wholesale revenue growth and in-territory brand development. According to the company, her work included opening new dealer channels, conducting retail training and supporting merchandising and event-driven sales activation.
“Caitlyn brings the perfect combination of energy, dealer-first mentality, and proven execution,” says Bob Schuetz, president of Turn 14 Powersports. “Her ability to build relationships, grow territories, and help dealers win aligns exactly with how we approach the market. We’re excited to have her leading our Central region and confident she will accelerate growth for both our dealers and our brands.”
During her tenure at HISUN Motors, Williams ranked No. 1 nationally in new dealer acquisition and sales growth, earning Sales Rep of the Year, Most New Dealers and Highest Sales Growth honors, the company said. At Segway Powersports, she supported dealer engagement initiatives, retail training programs and national event representation aimed at improving sell-through and brand visibility. She is also a former Women With Spark winner in 2024.
Turn 14’s Powersports Owned Brands team oversees product development, R&D, brand management and marketing for 11 accessory, parts and apparel brands serving on-road and off-road segments, including Answer, Biker’s Choice, BikeMaster, DragonFire Racing, FirstGear, Kuryakyn, ProTaper, QuadBoss, River Road, Speed and Strength, Skid Lid and TwinPower.
Turn 14 Distribution operates as a national warehouse distributor serving the automotive and powersports aftermarket through a business-to-business model.
AIMExpo 2026 delivered more than new products and packed aisles. The three-day event served as a pulse check for the global powersports industry, drawing thousands of dealers, manufacturers, aftermarket suppliers and media to Southern California for what many described as one of the show’s strongest years to date.
Held in Anaheim, the Motorcycle Industry Council–owned trade show attracted more than 6,000 industry professionals, including 2,815 dealers, 465 exhibitors and 243 credentialed media, representing 47 U.S. states and 55 countries.
“AIMExpo has become a real barometer for the industry,” says Andre Albert, MIC director of market expansion and events. “The scale, the participation and the conversations this year show how much the show has grown and how much it continues to matter.”
Dealers spent the show evaluating new-model introductions, aftermarket innovations and technology solutions while reconnecting with longtime partners and building new relationships. Educational sessions, networking events, and show-floor conversations focused heavily on inventory management, margin pressure, consumer engagement, and long-term growth strategies.
Show highlights included packed exhibit halls, the return of high-profile networking events, Women in Powersports programming, industry celebrations, and the popular A1 VIP Track Walk, which once again blended business with experiential engagement.
For those who attended, a newly released video recap captured the sights, energy, and conversations that defined AIMExpo 2026. For those who could not make the trip, it offers a snapshot of the ideas and connections shaping the next phase of the powersports market.
With Anaheim now in the rearview mirror, attention is already shifting to next year’s event. AIMExpo 2027 is scheduled for March 3–5 in Orlando, Florida, at the Orange County Convention Center, strategically timed just ahead of Daytona Bike Week.
As the industry continues to navigate a changing retail landscape, AIMExpo remains a central meeting place for dealers and brands focused on what comes next.