Giant North American business-to-business bike trade extravaganza International Powersports Dealer Expo is migrating from its traditional home at Indianapolis, where it has resided until since 1966, to McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Timing has also been advanced more closely to match a fourth-quarter dealer buying-decision cycle, with an inaugural 2014 event at this larger and more accessible new venue taking place on 5-7 December.
Tracy Harris, senior vice-president of show owner Advanstar Powersports Group, explained that the decision to move had been based on extensive research: “We wanted everyone’s involvement on how to evolve Dealer Expo from your typical trade show to an all-new, must-attend industry event. To grow as an event and to fuel sales, industry segments agreed the show had to move to a bigger market and realign with the buying cycle of the dealer network. The responses we received centred on location, timing and content. We knew then that we had to move to a bigger market, change the dates of the show to better align with dealer ordering decisions, and bring more vibrancy into the event.”