The Marketplace Events Motorcycle Group, producers of the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo), today announced that Bob Kay has joined their team as V-Twin Director. Bob’s role will be to work closely with the V-Twin industry to develop AIMExpo’s offering for this important market segment beginning with their 2015 event. Bob is a well-known and highly respected member of the V-Twin community. Following formative time spent working in motorcycle dealerships he went on to play key roles in notable companies in the V-Twin segment including NEMPCO, Tucker-Rocky/Biker’s Choice, and American Iron Horse.
In 2005 he launched Biker Pros to provide specialized business services to the V-Twin market. As an integral member of the Motorcycle Group team he will focus his efforts on researching and developing meaningful components for the AIMExpo platform that will create value for this key segment of the powersports marketplace.
“Those I’ve worked with over the years have heard me emphasize the importance of our industry working in unison for the benefit of motorcycling at all levels,” commented Bob on the new opportunity. “As I became more aware of the vision for AIMExpo, I realized we shared a common direction for the prosperous future of our industry – one that brought everyone together. While the American V-Twin community stands out as a strong segment on its own, joining together as a unified force with AIMExpo’s forward-thinking platform will lead to positive gains for all. I am very excited to join the responsive leadership on the Motorcycle Group team and take the point on their efforts to create a genuine and viable offering for the V-Twin market, and leveraging the strengths of AIMExpo to help grow the V-Twin industry.”
“The stated vision of AIMExpo from the beginning was to be an all-inclusive, market-wide platform for the motorcycle and greater powersports industry,” remarked Larry Little, Vice President and General Manager, Marketplace Events Motorcycle Group. “That said, we knew our core team’s strengths did not include the depth required to develop a meaningful V-Twin offering that would complement the growing AIMExpo platform. Bob’s extensive background, his standing as a pillar of the community, and more importantly his vision for showcasing the V-Twin market at AIMExpo made him the clear and obvious choice to join our team.”
AIMExpo is now the largest show of its type in North America with exhibit space growth of nearly 50 percent, and the number of exhibitors quickly approaching 500. Pre-registration of dealer/trade attendees is triple last year, and advance ticket sales to consumers are more than double 2013.
The 2014 show opens its doors to Trade and Media visitors on October 16-17, followed by consumer days on October 18-19. Go to AIMExpo USA for complete event information, and watch for late breaking news posted on AIMExpo’s social media pages. “Like” the American International Motorcycle Expo on Facebook by visiting the AIMExpo page, and “Follow” on Twitter: @AIMExpo. To receive monthly updates from AIMExpo about new features, free giveaways, interactive opportunities and new product developments, click HERE to subscribe to their monthly newsletter.
Both the Easyriders V-Twin expo and the Advanstar Dealer expo are dead. There is a great opportunity for the AIMExpo to integrate the whole V-Twin industry. With the advantage of combining both trade and consumer days while Biketoberfest is going on in Daytona.
Bob, Congrats !!!! Look forward to seeing you in Orlando !! Thanks to You I’m in this great Industry
Definetly one of the good guyd..Good luck Bob.
I agree the old Dealer expo is dead, but the V-Twin Expo is still alive & well. Perhaps V-Twin expo should add “Public Days” to increase the appeal further.
Good luck in your new venture. You always have your finger on the pulse of the industry.
All the best Bob, long time no see.
Congrats Good Luck Bob!
We better have that dinner before you get to famous. 🙂
Shit… To late. Congrats buddy!
JC 3/2
Met Bob at the V-Twin Expo several years ago.
Tremendous knowledge, great guy and much respect !
Boss Hawg
Congrats Bob, well deserved.
Bob,
Like Lonny and a lot of others thanks for all you did for me, I would not be where I am without you taking a chance on me. Congrats and looking forward to seeing you at AIME. Hey, Welcome to Orlando!
Good choice!!! Congrats to both parties!
HooRay Bob Kay my old Buddy since the NEMPCO days. Good move Larry. See you next week.
Couldn”t have picked a better man! Congrats Bob!
One of the truly good guys in the industry who gets it, congrats Bob,
congratulations Bob you will do great….LenNY
@HD Rider,
How often have you exhibited at the V-Twin Expo and how have your results been? To say the show is dead is an understatement. It was never any good for finding customers or doing business, it was always just a “have a beer and shoot the shit with the people you see once a year” type of show, but it shrunk considerably.
I haven’t done that show since 2010 but from 2007-2010 it was downhill and downhill fast. In the glory days, they filled the whole lower level and much of the upper level too. How much of the lower level do they even manage to fill out now?
I notice Betlach is giving out his personal cell # on their website asking for ideas how to make things better. To me, that telegraphs that they are in bad, bad shape.
Jim Betlach is well known for always asking for advice but never listening or applying any recommendation. Shame.
Joe Teresi and Jim Betlach stepped up at a time when the V-Twin market was experiencing unprecedented growth and needed a separate showcase to fuel the momentum. AIMExpo’s V-Twin effort will not be designed to compete with the V-Twin Expo but instead offer an alternative platform that will be timed to allow for long term planning and pre-season coordination between manufacturers, distributors and dealers. As a trade/retail media event AIMExpo we will create a unique experience across all levels of enthusiast participation. Thanks to all for your well wishes.
That’s a good man right there. I’ll always appreciate all the insight you gave me on the industry. Congrats to you Bob Kay! Keep on keeping on.