Big Business Makes For Banner Day Two Of PRI Trade Show

Motorsports parts and equipment buyers packed the booths and overflowed into the aisles of the Indiana Convention Center on Friday during one of the busiest days in Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show history.

Day Two of PRI 2016 kicked off with a trio of Show-sponsored seminars focused on enhancing business and marketing, making connections and achieving success on- and off-track, and the themes carried over onto a Show floor that more than lived up to host city Indianapolis’ tag as the Racing Capital of the World.

Douglas Robbie, who has been attending the PRI Show for five consecutive years, was among the many who attended “The Look from the Sponsor Side: 4 Keys to Successful Strategic Relationships” seminar Friday morning. Hoping to expand his marketing knowledge and learn how to improve sponsor relations for his modified race team, Robbie left the seminar with “a clearer picture of how to do it and how to work with my marketing person to get it.”

Meantime, on the Show floor, exhibitors found that buyers came prepared to do business.

“We’ve already bought today,” Roy Simmermaker from Simmermaker Motorsports in Brownsburg, Indiana, said early Friday. Having attended the PRI Show for years, Simmermaker noted, “We get a lot of value and a lot of information, and talk to a lot of good suppliers. This is a great show for drag racing.”

Joseph Snell from Snell MetalFab in Monroetown, Pennsylvania, echoed that sentiment, saying, “We’re looking to buy.” Snell told us that the personal, face-to-face time at PRI is especially valuable. While products and information is readily available on the Internet, “it’s nice to come here and talk to people directly.”

In addition to race products, PRI is the ideal place for attendees to see what’s new in race trailers and motor coaches. Despite temperatures just below freezing, buyers made their way outside the Indiana Convention Center to meet with exhibitors showcasing their newest haulers. “The cold weather doesn’t deter the serious buyers,” observed Brian McKibbin of ATC Trailers, Nappanee, Indiana. “The people who are coming out here aren’t just tire kickers.”

Jeff Nelis of Bravo Trailers based in Bristol, Indiana, agreed, adding, “We have seen a great turnout here at the Show. It is probably the largest number since we have been out here.” Bravo Trailers had displayed its trailers outside the Indiana Convention Center since PRI’s return to Indianapolis in 2013.

“Good turnout, great Show,” he continued. “A lot of people have been interested and have been inquiring about trailers. It has been an awesome Show.”

The PRI Trade Show takes place December 8-10, 2016, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. For more information, visit www.pri2016.com.