AIMExpo Acquired by Motorcycle Industry Council

• Acquisition combines the motorcycling industry’s trade association and its 600+ members with AIMExpo, the industry’s signature motorcycle show
• Entire AIMExpo management and staff joining MIC
• Purchase made possible by unanimous vote of MIC Board of Directors
• The same great plan for the 2015 show

IRVINE, Calif.--The Motorcycle Industry Council today announced it has acquired the Motorcycle Group business segment from Marketplace Events LLC. The acquisition includes the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo), America's premier motorcycle and powersports show, and the only powersports event in North America that caters to trade, media and consumers all under one roof, timed to showcase the powersports industry's new model year product unveilings.

AIMExpo's show personnel, sales staff and management, including AIMExpo Show Director Cinnamon Kernes, and AIMExpo show creators Mike Webster and Larry Little, will form a new department within MIC titled “MIC Events.”

“AIMExpo’s early success has been the ability to prove an innovative concept that has delivered for exhibitors and attendees beyond what was envisioned when we conceived the concept just three years ago,” said AIMExpo co-creators Webster and Little. “We recognized the opportunity to take it to another level of industry value and excellence with the blue-ribbon reputation and capabilities of the MIC, and the power of its membership, management, and services to get us there. We presented our recommendation to Marketplace Events LLC management and they agreed.”

"In 2012, Marketplace Events made the commitment – under the leadership of Mike Webster – to launch AIMExpo with the explicit goal of changing and re-energizing the powersports business, and our AIMExpo team has been intensely focused and true to that promise,” said Marketplace Events CEO, Tom Baugh. “In less than three years, the AIMExpo platform has become the most important annual gathering for the industry. We’re very proud MPE successfully incubated AIMExpo, but we recognize the event will reach its full potential and greatest benefit to the industry under MIC ownership."

Dennis McNeal, MIC chair and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.'s vice president - Motorcycle Operations, said, "MIC’s primary goal is to ensure the show's ongoing growth and success, and that requires not only a depth of tradeshow experience, but broad experience in our industry. Mike Webster, Larry Little, Cinnamon Kernes and the entire AIMExpo team have that kind of experience, and the MIC Board of Directors, by unanimous vote, is excited to have them join the staff of the MIC."
"The concept of MIC owning AIMExpo is actually quite common in the association world where many trade shows are owned or operated by their industry trade associations,” said Little.

"This strategic configuration makes it much easier to build on existing industry synergies, align the industry's key stakeholders, and connect manufacturers and distributors of products and services in a valued face-to-face environment with retailers and consumers who have the greatest interest in their offerings."

“Overall plans for the 2015 show absolutely remain business as usual,” said AIMExpo Show Director Cinnamon Kernes. “For exhibitors, dealers, media, and consumers it’s absolutely business as usual and no additional actions on their part are required. Our focus is sharper than ever, and the team is committed to producing the industry’s best show experience once again this year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Orlando in October!”

AIMExpo 2015 will take place October 15 through 18 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The show is open to credentialed trade and media professionals on October 15-16. The show then opens to the general public on October 17-18.

This year's AIMExpo is ramping up to be the largest and most impactful event to date with more manufacturers, vendors, dealers, and media outlets scheduled to attend.

For more information, please visit http://mic.org/AIMExpo.aspx.

Key AIMExpo Links

• Show Dates and Times
• Show Location
• Show Admission Prices and Ticketing
• Dealer Registration
• Exhibitor Information
• Media General Information & Credentialing
• 2015 Exhibitor List
• AIMExpo Facebook Page

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect, and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues, and the American International Motorcycle Expo. As a not-for-profit, national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories and related goods and services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.

Be sure to stay tuned to the AIMExpoUSA.com website and keep up to date on exciting news as it happens by visiting AIMExpo’s social media pages. “Like” the American International Motorcycle Expo on Facebook, and “Follow” on Twitter or Instagram: @AIMExpo.

Contacts : Motorcycle Industry Council / Brian Hardyman, Media Relations / 949-727-4211, ext. 3027


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