GartRides to AIMExpo: An industry charity ride to Orlando
Dealers interested in getting seat time on their way to the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) in Orlando now have an ideal opportunity, and can contribute to a charitable cause in the industry while doing so.
Gart Sutton, educator and 20-group moderator for powersports dealers for the past three decades, is organizing GartRides to AIMExpo and welcomes industry members to join the motorcycle ride. Dealers of metric, V-twin and European brands are welcome to attend.
GartRides to AIMExpo will depart Monday, Oct. 13, from Nashville, Tenn., en route to the Miller Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Ala. Riders will be treated to a private tour of the facility.
The ride continues Tuesday, Oct. 14, from Birmingham to the Florida panhandle, south of Tallahassee, Fla. On Wednesday, Oct. 15, the ride will end in the afternoon at AIMExpo in Orlando.
Arriving in Orlando, riders will gather at the Powersports Business Institute @ AIMExpo Kickoff Networking Reception, sponsored by GE Capital, at the Rosen Centre Hotel Pool Balcony from 5-6:30 p.m. for drinks and appetizers. The dealer portion of AIMExpo opens for two days at 10 a.m. the following morning, Oct. 16, next door at the Orange County Convention Center. AIMExpo then opens its doors to the public on Oct. 18-19.
The ride is limited to industry members, and will serve as a fundraiser for the family of Chad Oulson, a former employee at Sky Powersports West in Port Rickey, Fla., who passed away earlier this year, leaving behind wife Nicole and a young daughter.
“AIMExpo is the all-encompassing event of the year for the powersports industry, and we want to get it started the right way — on two wheels and dedicated to a meaningful cause,” Sutton said. “So many of us have been, understandably, caught up in running our businesses the past few years that we haven’t been able to ride as much as we would like. In addition to a terrific ride, we can contribute to the family of one of our own, and that’s going to make the ride that much more special and enjoyable.”
“Kudos to Gart and his GartRides’ emphasis on getting out from behind the desk and getting behind the handlebars!” added Larry Little, VP/GM of AIMExpo. “Gart’s enthusiasm for riding and improving the business speaks to the vision of AIMExpo as energetic, efficient and effective for the industry, and riding a motorcycle to Orlando certainly accomplishes all of those. As well, our hearts go out to the Oluson family, let’s rally behind them whether or not you can join in on the adventure to AIMExpo.”
As part of the ride, industry and dealership personnel will be treated to some of the best roads and can’t-miss stopovers in Alabama and Florida, along with business operations conversation geared to benefit your bottom line.
Curtis Sloan, principal of Sloan’s Motorcycle & ATV in Tennessee, will be participating in the ride. He’ll later join Sutton on stage during a free dealer training presentation at the Powersports Business Institute @ AIMExpo at the Orange County Convention Center. The two will speak on “The 10 Most Important Metrics That Every Dealer and Manager Must Know,” as part of their session at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 17 at the OCCC. Riders on the GartRides to AIMExpo will learn about additional key dealership metrics that will only be shared on the ride.
Motorcycles will be available for rental at an EagleRider location in Nashville, and riders can drop off their bikes at an EagleRider location in Orlando.
Industry members interested in the GartRides to AIMExpo can register at www.gartsutton.com. For more information, send an email to info@gartsutton.com.
Further information on the ride is also available by clicking here.
