By Deborah Speicher

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It was billed as “The Show That Changed The Powersports Industry” and it certainly earned bragging rights! Running the same four days as Biketoberfest (October 16-19), I decided to spend two days at the Orange County Convention Center before heading to Daytona Beach for my requisite t-shirt and turkey leg.

There were 501 vendors which featured most of the major motorcycle manufacturers as well as many upstarts, along with apparel, accessories and just about anything related to the power sports industry. There weren’t just demo rides – there were on and off road demo rides! With 864,444 square feet of vendors, it was like being a kid in the candy store. What is trending? Electric motorcycles, scooters and all things vintage (real or made to look old!).

The vendors alone could have kept me busy but I also took time to attend some of the AMA events which were simultaneously being presented at the Orange County Convention Center. Great speakers/presenters were brought in on that Friday and ended that evening with the AMA inducting industry greats into their Hall of Fame. The highlight of the evening was William G. Davidson (a/k/a Willie G) being honored as an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend. Willie G is an icon in the world of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts but also recognized worldwide as a major contributor to contemporary motorcycle styling. I also got to meet actor/motorcyclist/AMA Board Member Perry King. Perry attended the AMA luncheon and was then the Master of Ceremonies for the induction ceremony.

The AIM Expo will be back October 15-18, 2015 and I highly recommend you make your way over to Orlando for this not to be missed event!