The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) is to target more than 500 companies in a membership recruitment drive “to strengthen the industry’s voice”.
Potential recruits and lapsed members are to be invited to attend informal presentations at Motorcycle Live, which is to be staged at the NEC, Birmingham, next month.
These will take place over lunch on Monday, Wednesday or Friday (25, 27 or 29 November) and will last an hour. Those who agree to attend will receive a pair of complimentary show tickets.
A spokesman for MCI said: “This idea is driven by members who attend the new Special Member Groups – who are enthused by their own involvement with the MCI and want to encourage wider participation towards building a stronger industry voice.”
Simon Lane of Hel Performance says he was “blown away” by attendance at his first meeting of the Accessories and Components Special Member Group in September.
“I had never appreciated the range and diversity of projects in which the association is involved. I was also surprised to find out just how relevant these are to my own sector of the industry. I came away intending to spread the word among the other motorcycle businesses we come into contact with, which would benefit hugely from attending meetings. There is definitely strength in numbers.”
Special Member Groups are open to all members and it gives them the chance to meet with other people from their sector of the market, to help identify issues and opportunities that can be translated into action by the MCI.
“Those who engage with the groups are in a much stronger position to understand and anticipate their sector of the market.”
Membership manager Sandra Cole has identified more than 500 companies that the MCI feels could benefit from membership and will be sending them an invitation in the next few weeks.
“I’d love to hear from any company that feels they would like to join us. Steve Kenward and I will be offering an insight into the industry’s latest figures and economic drivers, as well as explaining what the MCI’s current priorities are and how to get the most out of membership.”
Steve Kenward is clear that the way to maximise membership is to take part in the Special Member Groups: “Those who engage with the groups are in a much stronger position to understand developments and anticipate changes in their sector of the market. They also help identify issues and opportunities, which can be translated into action by the MCI and built into their business plans.
“Prospective members are also welcome to attend the MCI’s annual conference/annual meeting, which is around an hour in duration and takes place after the show on 26 November.
For further details or to join the guest list, please email Sandra Cole or phone on 02476 408004.
The MCI is promoting the MASTER Security Scheme, the UK’s first national and official motorcycle anti-theft scheme; Buy With Confidence, allowing members to distinguish themselves from inferior product; MORE, a series of try-out days to boost interest in off-road riding; MCI Contact Centre, staffed by experienced motorcyclists; Industry induction days, giving an overview of the motorcycle industry to MCI member’ staff; Get On, which is claimed to have boosted sales of 125cc bikes.