With a show floor stacked with the top names in the V-Twin aftermarket and a robust schedule of educational seminars, the 12th Annual V-Twin Expo by Easyriders delivered a worthwhile value to attendees and exhibitors alike.
The show’s most anticipated event is the Annual V-Twin Industry Reception & Leader Awards Presentation which recognizes the industry’s top talent. This year’s awards recognized:
Industry Leader of the Year: Barry Willey of National Cycle
Industry Trendsetter of the Year: Todd Silicato of Todd’s Cycle
Lifetime Achievement Award: Ron Paugh of Paughco, Inc.
Motor of the Year: 120 Square Block Complete from Delkron Manufacturing
Wheel Design of the Year: Paramount Wheel from Performance Machine
Performance Product of the Year: EPA/CARB-Legal CAT System from BUB Enterprises
New Product of the Year: Commander II Tires from Michelin
Value Product of the Year: S2600 Deluxe Sissy Bar Bags from Saddlemen
Tech Product of the Year: Fi2000 PowrPro with CVT Technology from Cobra Engineering
Audio Product of the Year: Four In The Face 4-Channel Audio System from Hawg Wired
In addition to these award-winners, the floor was stacked with innovative head-turning products. “The most talked about new items at the show were Vance & Hines’ stainless pipes and Performance Machine’s new wheels,” says Parts Unlimited Regional Sales Manager, Mike Faulkner. “Also the new Commander II from Michelin has probably created more tire buzz at the dealer level than any new tire release that I can remember.”
It isn’t just the products that created a buzz at the star-studded event, the who’s who of the industry came out in full force to support the industry and showcase their newest creations.
Keith “Doc” Underwood of HogGaiters summed up the show experience very succinctly. While he recognized the show size and attendance had yet again contracted, he like many others MPN talked to at the event remains upbeat about the industry. “It is hard to get down if you’re an enthusiast with guys like Arlen Ness, Danny Gray, Dave Perewitz — the godfathers of the industry — at the show,” says Doc. “Cash-wise, was it as much as you thought it could be? For right now, yes, it was as good as it could be in this economy."
The Easyriders team is already cranking on the 2013 event to be held at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 2-4, 2013. We’ll keep you posted on the show schedule closer to the date. In the meantime, check out MPN’s collection of snapshots from the show and visit www.vtwin-expo.com to learn more about the event.
