PowerLily, a professional network for women in the powersports industry with over 300 active members, is now part of the Motorcycle Industry Council. MIC Chairman Dennis McNeal announced news of the alliance during the annual MIC Communications Symposium held on Sept. 25, 2014.
The MIC plans to host PowerLily members and prospects at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach on Friday, Nov.14, at 5 p.m., and at DealerExpo in Chicago on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m., to discuss the network membership’s needs and opportunities and how PowerLily members can support industry.
PowerLily founder, Jessica Prokup, owner of Yellow Devil Gear Exchange and former MIC staffer, launched the network in 2009 in response to the economic downturn and growing need for job placement assistance among female powersports professionals. Within a few years, PowerLily grew to include hundreds of members, and hosted meet-ups at trade and consumer shows conferences, races and other industry events.
“PowerLily has an incredible membership base, with women from entry-level to executive positions, entrepreneurs, retailers, artists, and others. It’s a network that’s rich in ideas and possibilities, with the potential to achieve great things,” said Prokup. “With the broad membership base of MIC, not to mention the talent it can tap into, I expect that PowerLily will evolve to do a lot of good, not only among women in the powersports industry, but for MIC and our industry as a whole.”
Cam Arnold, MIC vice president, will lead the PowerLily program and work closely with its members to integrate MIC resources into the organization. “PowerLily is now ‘powered’ by the MIC, which means we’ll have support from all segments of the industry alongside us. Existing PowerLily members have renewed reasons to get involved, encourage other women in powersports to join, and participate by helping each other through professional development, education, and leadership,” said Arnold.
Female buyers account for $7 trillion in general consumer and business spending in the U.S. and make or influence 85 percent of all purchasing decisions. Women make up 12 percent of motorcycle owners in the U.S., representing a 28 percent increase in the last five years. However, one in four motorcycle riders (including passengers) are female, which means at minimum 25 percent of purchases are made or highly influenced by women. The powersports industry is estimated to be $23 billion industry, and women are responsible for $6 billion plus in industry sales.
