Education continues to evolve to ensure Dealers have more reasons to attend AIMExpo. Dealer Evolution is designed for the modern dealer to help you navigate today’s dynamic marketplace with confidence. Dealer Evolution takes place on the show floor, keeping you in the heart of the action so you won’t miss a beat while gaining valuable insights to drive your business forward.
In partnership with MPN, Dealer Excellence delivers practical, classroom-style education focused on core business solutions and best practices to help dealers and retailers grow and thrive. From operations to customer service, these sessions deliver actionable takeaways you can implement immediately to elevate your day-to-day business.
This is where you will get all the thought-provoking information you need to make sound decisions about the future of your business.
Tech Talks
Presented by DX-1
Tech Talks
Presented by ZiiDMS
Dealer Evolution Stage
Full Throttle Analytics: 2025 Look-back & 2026 Forecast
Fasten your helmet for a data-fueled exploration of 2025’s biggest shifts and 2026’s unfolding opportunities. We’ll connect the dots between consumer demand,, sales trends, pricing dynamics, and broader economic signals – equipping leaders to make sharper, faster, and smarter decisions in the fast-moving world of powersports.
Panelists:
David Savlowitz, CEO & Founder, Competitive Analytics
Michael Ponton, Director of Analytics, Competitive Analytics
Tech Talks
Presented by TALON Powersports Solutions
Dealer Excellence Stage
MPN: E-Commerce: Capturing Customers Who Don’t Want to Come In
Some customers prefer screens to showrooms. Whether intimidated or simply time-strapped, they expect frictionless digital buying options. This panel explores how to elevate your e-commerce experience, from seamless parts ordering to digital unit sales, ensuring you capture revenue even when customers never set foot in your dealership.
Moderator: Meagan Kusek, Editor, MPN
Tech Talks
Presented by Cycle Trader
Dealer Evolution Stage
Selling the Dream. The OEM, The Dealer, The Rider, The Lifestyle Connection.
Motorcycles aren’t just vehicles—they’re a lifestyle, a community, and a passion. In this panel, three leading OEMs share how they’ve successfully built strong brand cultures and loyal rider communities around their products. Panelists will dive into what inspires their innovation, how they connect with customers on a deeper level, and strategies dealers can use to achieve profitable growth rather than chasing volume. Attendees will gain practical insights into creating meaningful customer experiences, fostering brand loyalty, and building a sustainable business model that prioritizes quality, engagement, and long-term success
Panelists:
Rod Lopusnak, General Manager, Triumph North America
Jason Chinnock, CEO, Ducati North America
Moderator: Laurette Nicoll, Moderator, Dealer Evolution Stage
Tech Talks
Presented by Kenect
Dealer Excellence Stage
MPN: Auto Dealers vs. Powersports Dealers: Technology and Inventory Management
Automotive retail has embraced advanced tech and streamlined inventory practices that powersports often lags behind. This session examines what can be adapted – and what can’t. Learn from operators straddling both industries about tools and strategies that translate into competitive advantages for powersports dealerships.
Moderator: Brian Ankney, Regional Sales Manager, MPN
Business Center
MIC Member Lunch and Learn: MIC Board of Directors, Up Close & Personal
Get to know your OEM and Aftermarket industry leaders over lunch in this up close and personal discussion with members of the MIC Board of Directors. (MIC Members Only)
Panelists: MIC Board of Directors
Moderator: Laurette Nicoll
Tech Talks
Presented by Rollick, Inc.
Dealer Evolution Stage
Powersports, Government Relations, & Advocacy
Scott Schloegel, SVP Government Relations at MIC/SVIA/ROHVA/MSF will be joined by Landon French of Moto Canada and Kyle Makarios of JKM Consulting to discuss the state of the industry in the U.S. and Canada, as well as priority issues such as PFAS chemical bans, tariffs, and other government policies that could impact your business
Panelists:
Scott Schloegel, Sr. Vice President, Govt Relations
Landon French, President & CEO, Moto Canada
Kyle Makarios, Owner, JKM Consulting
Moderator: Laurette Nicoll, Moderator, Dealer Evolution Stage
Tech Talks
Presented by 700Credit
Tech Talks
Presented by AppOne
Dealer Excellence Stage
MPN: More Inventory, More Problems: How to Manage the Influx of New Vehicles
Many dealers are drowning in post-COVID inventory, tying up cash and space. This panel shares practical approaches to manage aging units, balance floorplans and align supply with real-world demand. Discover creative strategies to move vehicles without sacrificing margins.
Moderator: Greg Jones, Content Director, MPN
Dealer Evolution Stage
“Yeah your unit count is fine, but what about your margin?”
This session will explore the critical differences in operating profit between top-performing businesses and the national average. We’ll identify the key behaviors and strategies that create this “delta” and equip you with actionable insights to bridge the gap. Discover how your expense multiplier impacts profitability and uncover the single most important metric for a one-point move in Operating Gross Profit. Join us to learn how to optimize your operations and drive significant improvements to your bottom line.
- How do the Top 10 compare to the National Average in Operating Profit?
- What behaviors are needed to make up the Delta?
- What’s your Expense Multiplier?
- What’s the number one metric that creates a one-point move in Operating GP?
Panelists: Sam Dantzler, President, Garage Composites
Moderators: Garage Composites Team
Tech Talks
Presented by Impel
Tech Talks
Presented by MaxOpp Marketing.com
Dealer Excellence Stage
AI Done Wrong: The Top 10 Ways to Ruin Everything
Artificial Intelligence has massive potential for dealerships, but it also comes with risks, hype, and plenty of bad ideas. Many are skeptical of AI — and for good reason. From soulless chatbots to “press 1 for sales” automation, we’ve all seen how the wrong use of tech can ruin the customer experience.
In this fast-paced and entertaining session, Jared Burt will validate the critics, highlight the pitfalls, and show how to avoid the mistakes that kill trust, connection, and culture in dealerships. More importantly, you’ll learn how AI — when applied wisely — can accelerate employee training, drive omnichannel retailing, and free up time for what matters most: building human connection and bringing a new generation of riders into the sport.
Come ready to laugh, cringe, and rethink how AI can be done right.
Panelists: Jared Burt
Dealer Evolution Stage
Keeping and Motivating Your Team
In every Dealership, performance starts with people—and keeping them motivated is the key to consistent success. This keynote explores practical, real-world strategies for inspiring both individuals and teams to stay engaged, perform at their peak, and take ownership of results. Attendees will discover how to connect personal goals with organizational vision, recognize and reward the right behaviors, and build a culture where motivation comes naturally. In turn this creates a team that wants to stay and work hard for the right reasons. This session delivers the tools to reignite energy, strengthen retention, and build a team that’s all-in, all the time.
Panelists: Jordon Schoolmeester, Manager of Training, Garage Composites
Moderator: Laurette Nicoll, Moderator, Dealer Evolution Stage
Tech Talks
Presented by Turn 14 Distribution, Inc.
Dealer Evolution Stage
Electrification is no longer a question of “if” — it’s about “how fast,” “how far,” and “how much.”
With industry leaders like Can-Am (BRP) and Stark Future at the forefront, this panel will explore the current state, future trajectory, and strategic fit of electrification within the powersports landscape, with a strong emphasis on motorcycles, but also including other EV platforms. As OEMs, tech partners, and dealers navigate a rapidly evolving space, this conversation aims to demystify electrification, address dealer concerns, and showcase the opportunities it presents — from new customer segments to long-term business sustainability.
This is a must-attend session for dealers who want insight into where the industry is headed and how to position their businesses for the continued evolution of powersports.
Panelists:
David Baker, Vice-President and General Manager, Powersports North America, BRP
Dan Quick, Stark Future
Moderator: Laurette Nicoll, Moderator, Dealer Evolution Stage
Tech Talks
Presented by NCM Associates – Formerly Spader Business Management
Dealer Excellence Stage
MPN: Fixed Ops – Advice for Beyond the Showroom
Service and parts often generate more stable profit than unit sales, yet they remain underdeveloped and underutilized in many dealerships. This education session explores proven strategies to improve efficiency, increase upselling and profit potential, and retain customers long after the initial sale. Learn how fixed ops should drive long-term dealership success.
Panelists:
Kyle Reid, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Vision VST
Mark Sheffield, Strategic Advisor, Woods Cycle Country and Woods Indian Motorcycle
Moderator: Greg Jones, Content Director, MPN
Tech Talks
Presented by Accelerate2Compliance
Dealer Evolution Stage
Transax Digital Retail
Moderator: Laurette Nicoll, Moderator, Dealer Evolution Stage
Tech Talks
Presented by Auto Data Direct
Dealer Excellence Stage
MPN: EV Customers are Different – Are Your Sales People Ready
EV adoption is growing, and the buyers aren’t always your traditional riders. They often value sustainability, tech integration and ease of ownership more than horsepower. Are your salespeople ready for those conversations? This session helps dealers train staff to connect with EV customers, market effectively and create confidence in a still-new segment.
Panelists:
Garrett Johnson, Vice President of North America Sales and Customer Experience, Zero Motorcycles
David Baker, Vice President and General Manager Powersports North America, BRP
Jay Le, General Manager, Onyx Moto
Moderator: Meagan Kusek, Editor, MPN
Tech Talks
Presented by Data Here-to-There
Business Center
MIC Member Lunch & Learn: Data You Can’t Ignore
Join an interactive discussion exploring the latest powersports trends through data from the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). Weignadt will break down what the numbers reveal about the market, rider behavior, and emerging opportunities for manufacturers and dealers. Participants will gain actionable insights and a deeper understanding of how industry data can inform strategy, growth, and customer engagement (MIC Members Only)
Panelists: Jason Weigandt
Tech Talks
Presented by Statistical Surveys Inc.
Tech Talks
Presented by Smart Dealer
Dealer Evolution Stage
And Now A Word from our Distributors… Insights & More
Join the industry’s leading distributors for an in-depth discussion on the state of the powersports market and what’s driving change across the industry. From shifting buying habits to the segments showing the strongest growth, this panel will provide a front-line perspective on current sales trends and evolving customer demands. Panelists will also explore the challenges and opportunities they anticipate in the coming year — from supply chain pressures and economic factors to emerging technologies and other outside challenges. Attendees will gain valuable insight into where the market is headed, what adjacent markets are experiencing and how distributors can help dealers stay ahead.
Moderator: Laurette Nicoll, Moderator, Dealer Evolution Stage
Tech Talks
Presented by Horsepower Financial
Tech Talks
Presented by Autrella F&I Products
Dealer Excellence Stage
MPN: Tariffs, Pricing and Margins: Growth Strategies for the Current Economy
The economy remains unpredictable: Tariffs shift, consumer confidence wavers, and costs keep climbing. Dealers can’t control Washington, but they can control operations. Respond, don’t react: Learn strategies to streamline expenses, optimize staffing and protect margins so your dealership thrives through 2026’s uncertainty.
Panelists:
Jonathan Aguero, Senior Vice President of Revenue, Blackpurl
Bernie Brenner, CEO, Rollick
Chet Heughan, Sr. Director, AppOne
Moderator: Brian Ankney, Regional Sales Manager, MPN
Dealer Evolution Stage
“Do You Have a Mindset For Change?”
The world is changing faster than any other time in existence…so is your dealership. Are you equal to the task of keeping up with exponential changes in inventory, customers, technology and staff? From Artificial Intelligence to being able to buy anything, including vehicles online, come discover what the future may hold and how you can get involved instead of bury your head
Panelists: Tony Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer, Garage Composites
Tech Talks
Presented by TEXA USA
Tech Talks
Presented by Clerq Payments
Dealer Excellence Stage
AI, Analog, and Adventure: Leading a Generational Shift of Riders
Artificial Intelligence is changing every industry — but what does it mean for motorcycling and powersports? Riders come to dealerships not just for machines, but for connection, culture, and community. At the same time, AI offers powerful tools that can accelerate employee learning, streamline operations, and free up staff to do what matters most: engage with riders.
In this session, we’ll explore both the promise and pitfalls of AI in the powersports industry. You’ll hear why many riders and dealers are cautious about AI, how technology should never replace the analog joy of riding, and where carefully chosen AI applications can actually strengthen human connection. Most importantly, discover how dealers can lead a generational shift by embracing the right balance of AI, analog, and adventure — bringing a whole new wave of riders into the sport while preserving the spirit of motorcycling for decades to come.
Panelists: Jared Burt
Dealer Evolution Stage
Profitability on Purpose
This session dives into the intentional strategies that drive sustainable profitability in a powersports dealership. Learn how to align every department—from sales and service to F&I and parts—around clear financial goals and measurable performance benchmarks. We’ll explore practical tools for improving margins, managing expenses, and building a culture of accountability. Attendees will leave with an action plan to make profitability not just a result, but a deliberate, daily focus.
Panelists: Jolene Krizan, Director of Dealer Development, Garage Composites
Dealer Evolution Stage
Garage Composites Roundtable
A look current trends and relevant topics from the industry’s leading consultants, ready to answer your questions. This session is driven by YOU – come prepared with your toughest questions and be ready to engage with the Garage Composites experts and leave with actionable take aways that will change your business and more importantly, can be implement today.
Panelists:
Sam Dantzler, President, Garage Composites
Tony Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer, Garage Composites
Jolene Krizan, Director of Dealer Development, Garage Composites
Jordon Schoolmeester, Manager of Training, Garage Composites
