Reliable V-Twin Expo set for Cincy

‘Upbeat’ industry bodes well for annual event

Jim Betlach found himself in the sticker printing business as he ramped up the marketing and promotional efforts for the 15th annual V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati.

The show manager, seeking new ways to get the V-twin marketplace amped up for the annual running of the industry trade show staple, asked exhibitors if he could send them V-Twin Expo stickers that they would then send out with their wholesale orders in the months leading into the Feb. 7-8 event in downtown Cincy.

Call the grassroots marketing campaign a grand slam.

“The stickers were something to sort of to remind the exhibitors’ dealer customers that ‘Hey, we’re going to be there, which is why I’m sending the stickers with your order, and No. 2 ‘Here’s the dates and a friendly reminder,’” Betlach said.

Toolboxes and other sticker-friendly locations were likely the ultimate destination of those stickers. Wherever they landed, they were a hit.

“I was amazed. I made quite a few thousand of them and ran out of them overnight,” Betlach said. “I got about 80 percent of the exhibitors telling me to send me this amount. One of the distributors called and told me he needed 3,000 additional stickers.”

It’s another sign that V-Twin Expo will do what it has always been reared to do: wholesale business.

“The dealer attendees and exhibitors are upbeat,” Betlach said. “We’re still doing the same things we’ve always done with the show. It’s not about gimmicks. It’s just a good, straightforward wholesale show. And it’s looking good. Everyone that I’ve been talking to in the V-twin world has been very up about their business.”

Attendees are in for an extra treat this year with the announcement that a special showing of “On Any Sunday: The Next Chapter” will be provided. Attendees are invited to view the movie at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Duke Energy Convention Center.

The floorplan will be familiar to attendees, with Drag Specialties, Biker’s Choice and, making its debut, HardDrive Parts, among the lineup of vendors.

“The reception for the show is good this year, for sure as good as last year,” Betlach said. “Our exhibitors and dealer registrations are right on par with last year. We’re looking good. I think people are really doing better this year. And I’m getting a lot of positive comments about the show staying the way it is.”