From the Editors

Optimism abounds at distributor show

Liz KeenerThe buzz in the expo hall at the Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice Dealer Show this past weekend was something to take in. Sometimes it was nice to just stop and listen to the numerous conversations going on, as dealers and vendors talked about how they can help each other improve their respective businesses.

Optimism was a word used often throughout the weekend, and it wasn’t hard to find anecdotal evidence of it. One dealership employee I talked to told me that his dealership’s president wasn’t at the show because he was off working on an expansion that I’m sure we’ll hear about soon. A staffer of another store was overheard at a booth telling the exhibitor that he’s constantly selling out of one of the company’s electrical products. Down the aisle, a couple employees from yet another dealership were listening to a lively presentation from a gear company that was excited to show off its wares at its first Tucker Rocky show.

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Hank Desjardins, vice president of marketing at Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice, said that a record number of attendees — more than 700 in total — registered for the event. And it was clear, especially during the fully packed Sunday night party, that those registered showed up in force.

But it wasn’t just the dealers sharing their optimism. The exhibitors — whose attendance also was up from last year’s number — were eager to show off new products and programs. “We listened to the dealers,” was a sentence I heard more than once from aftermarket companies who made changes in 2014 to reflect dealer feedback.

All in all, it was hard not to walk out of the show excited for what the industry has to show us in the coming months and year.

Liz Keener is the managing editor of Powersports Business, a trade magazine for the powersports industry. She reports on the powersports industry through Powersports Business’ varied media, including in the magazine and online. She assembles the brand’s three-times-a-week e-news and handles a variety of assignments for the magazine. Powersports Business is known for its exclusive national dealer surveys, in-depth industry analysis, Power 50 dealership honors program and dealership conference, Powersports Business Institute @ AIMExpo.

Contact: lkeener@powersportsbusiness.com
Website: www.powersportsbusiness.com

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