With the countdown clock just outside of one week until the kickoff of the Third Annual American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo), the anticipation surrounding the 2015 event continues to build as the days count down. North America’s premier powersports trade show is poised to be larger than ever with an increased number of exhibitors and attendees anticipated at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, October 15-18. Domestic visitors from all 50 states and Canada, and international visitors from nearly 50 countries will be welcomed to the unparalleled all-in-one platform that brings every facet of the powersports marketplace together in one place at one time, including trade, dealers, media and consumer visitors.
With more than 550 manufacturers and aftermarket brands, AIMExpo easily surpassed 2014’s exhibitor mark as increasing numbers of powersports companies have recognized Orlando in October as the place to be for business. Headlining the excitement is a record number of OEM exhibitors bringing the latest 2016 models for attendees to see and experience, both inside the OCCC, and on the demo ride courses at AIMExpo Outdoors!. A total of 17 OEMs will be represented on the exhibitor floor, including first-time participants Arctic Cat, BMW, Can-Am/BRP, Honda, and Yamaha WaterCraft. Importantly, this landmark achievement of OEM participation will also feature global and domestic debuts from several manufacturers.
At the off-road portion of AIMExpo Outdoors!, attendees will be able to put four-wheel vehicles to the test from OEM’s like Arctic Cat, Can-Am/BRP, Honda, KYMCO USA, Massimo Motors, Suzuki and Yamaha. For those more inclined to take to the streets, on-road demos will feature Can-Am/BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, KYMCO USA, Orlando Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, Yamaha and Zero. Ever ridden an electric motorcycle? For the first time at AIMExpo you can experience the quiet thrills of Zero’s electric fleet of vehicles.
If your powersports hobbies also take you to the water, AIMExpo offers up a strong marine segment this year with BRP’s Sea-Doo line, Gibbs Sports Amphibians and Yamaha WaterCraft on hand. Gibbs will show off its land and water capable dual-purpose vehicle – the Quadski – on the appropriately named “Quadski Lake” at AIMExpo Outdoors!.
The AIMExpo Mobile App, created in partnership with NADAguides, is now ready for downloading from the App Store and Google Play. The highly upgraded App allows users to actively make appointments while at the event, create an agenda for any one of the four days, and take shareable notes that can be organized by exhibitor or seminar. The interactive floor plan features zoom capabilities and a sort option by category that allows for easier discovery of similar exhibitors, while the wayfinding feature ensures users can find their way around AIMExpo at all times. By downloading the App you’re eligible for a 30-day free trial of the NADAguides Powersports CONNECT product.
In addition to Smith and Hartmann, the 2015 champions from the inaugural MotoAmerica season will be honored in the Media Hub and during the inaugural MotoAmerica Night of Champions awards ceremony on Friday evening, October 16th. Beyond the exhibitor floor, the Powersports Business Institute @ AIMExpo, sponsored by CDK Global Recreation (CDK) and National Powersport Auctions (NPA), will be more comprehensive than ever before with both industry and non-industry speakers.
AIMExpo Champion, Smith will be a focal point of several AIMExpo festivities, including Q&A sessions with fans, media appearances and signing copies of his brand-new autobiography in booth 2401. “Malcolm! The Autobiography” is available now from Malcolm Smith Motorsports, www.themalcolmbook.com and powersports dealers nationwide via Tucker Rocky.
Coffee and Keynote Courtesy of the MIC will kick off day two of AIMExpo’s trade days with coffee and Florida continental breakfast from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. followed by the keynote address at 9 a.m. AIMExpo’s highly anticipated keynote speaker, well-respected corporate leader John Hartmann, brings his own enthusiast knowledge to the country’s premier powersports event. The avid motocrosser will share some of his experiences from nearly two decades as a senior corporate executive, sharing progressive business models with AIMExpo attendees on Friday, October 16 inside the Chapin Theater at the OCCC. The engagement is intended for all industry attendees – dealers, media and exhibitors.
MotoAmerica, led by multi-time World Champion Wayne Rainey and the KRAVE Group, helped bring the spotlight back to American road racing. A total of five champions from each of the inaugural series’ classes of competition will be recognized for their accomplishments this season at the awards ceremony on Friday evening. The 2015 champions are Cameron Beaubier (Superbike), Jake Gagne (Superstock 1000), JD Beach (Supersport), Joe Roberts (Bazzaz Superstock 600), and Gage McAllister (KTM RC390 Cup). Multi-time Superbike champion Josh Hayes and groundbreaking female rider Elena Myers will also be in attendance. In addition to Rainey’s leadership role at MotoAmerica, he will be in the spotlight at the AMA Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night when he is recognized as this year’s HoF Legend.
