I have been hearing a lot of grumbling about all of the motorcycle shows this year.
Some people are unhappy with the parking charges ($12 to park is RIDICULOUS seems to be the common lament - I concur - I do not see how the Toronto Super Show can offer free parking but even in a small center like Red Deer they are charging for parking now)
Gate Prices are another bone of contention to many - and I have to agree that when a show shrinks in size you'd think the price would go down but when nothing else goes down in price how can you do that?
You still have to cover the costs of the show and wages....
Some are unhappy with the size of the shows - (the number of vendors is down - largely due to the economy)
Some are unhappy that there are no new offerings from the manufacturers - no true unveiling of any new machines or new technology...
And even more are grumbling because the shows seem geared to attracting new riders and not towards the more experienced rider.
I wonder how many of you realize that the show promoters have almost no control over 90% of what goes on with their shows....
The people who own the venue set the fees for parking, the rent costs to the promoter and the costs for carpet, tables, chairs and power/internet to the exhibitor as is dictated by GES.
If you think the fees you spectators are charged is bad:
A retail booth where you are allowed to sell product from your booth averages - $12.95 per square foot
If you are only exhibiting - $9.50 Shows in smaller centers can be cheaper but then there is usually less spectator traffic too.
GES - the show exhibit people charge for everything they do....Internet is $80 per day, Electrical $85 for the weekend, a chair is $25 and a table is: $55 for the weekend
Carpet will run you another: $3 - 4 per square foot...
This is just for a basic booth people - nothing fancy or out of the ordinary!
The venue owners also dictate what food and drink is available and what fees will be charged for those items.The show promoter gets NO Kick back from the food or drink that is sold.
The event coordinator only really has control of two things - the marketing of the event and even then if there are no sponsors there is little marketing that can be done and the entertainment/events within the event - but again - if there are no sponsors, there is little in the way of entertainments. So really - unless the economy is good - the show managers are at the mercy of everyone else.
I would not want to be Laurie Paetz, Daryl Bond or Nanette Jacques for all of the tea in China right now as there is NOTHING about this economy or their shows that is really within their control.
Consumers are not attending any of the shows in any meaningful numbers, manufacturers are not attending (Titan, Saxon, Zero to name a few), I myself have been quite shocked by the businesses who are NOT attending these shows.- the economy is kicking the crap out of good people and no one is giving these event coordinators credit for the job they have done turning lemons and lots of them into lemonade.
So folks, what is the answer here?
Anyone got a magic bullet that they can give to the MMIC and the Canadian National Sportsman's Shows?
In an ideal world where the economy isn't kicking the crap out of everyone, what DO you want to see in a motorcycle show?
What things, events, products do you feel need to be included in these shows?
What are you willing to spend to attend a show?
For Parking?
Is $6.50 a fair price for an alcoholic beverage?
How about $10.75 for a hamburger with potato salad?
How about $3.25 for the swill they pass off as coffee?
Do you realize that wages - the money people want for working at these venues is a large reason for the costs we consumers pay - only one of many reasons, but one of the larger ones? It's a vicious circle people!
In the news today:
Harley-Davidson is announcing a New Sportster available in Canada this year ...
There is a very cool story on a Motocross riding dog named Opee
Victory has announced the limited edition Vegas
Our Canadian Motorcycle Shows are in the same boat as Europe and New York....
If you are a lucky dawg who is riding today - PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. For the rest of you there is about a week to get your bike entered in to the Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine!
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Campgrounds, gas stations and customer service
As part of our never ending quest to improve customer service for motorcyclists I was wondering what is important to you guys and dolls that like to camp.
I am more of a motel/hotel person and I need to know what it is about campgrounds that you like, the things you really resent or don't like so that we can create an information/training package for these tourism operators.
Your input will greatly assist us in making sure that our government and tourism knows what we need in a campground.
Some of the things I want to know:
Have you ever been turned away from a campground here in Canada and if so, where.
For those not riding a dual sport - how far down gravel will you travel in order to get to a campground?
What ammenities are important to you?
Why do you camp?
If there is anything else that you can think of that would be of value or importance to a campground owner to know so that they can offer you what you are looking for.
I hope you will take a moment to fill out our 10 question Hotel/Motel Survey please...
The 2010 Red Deer Motorcycle Show is set to get underway at 4pm today - I hope Red Deer is up to the hugging challenge!
In the news today:
Aprilia is recalling the engine for the RSV4
Registration for our Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine must be in by midnight on January 31st - Voting begins on February 1st.
We have NO Entries for the Rat Class!!!!
If you are fortunate enough to be riding, please ride like eveyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
I am more of a motel/hotel person and I need to know what it is about campgrounds that you like, the things you really resent or don't like so that we can create an information/training package for these tourism operators.
Your input will greatly assist us in making sure that our government and tourism knows what we need in a campground.
Some of the things I want to know:
Have you ever been turned away from a campground here in Canada and if so, where.
For those not riding a dual sport - how far down gravel will you travel in order to get to a campground?
What ammenities are important to you?
Why do you camp?
If there is anything else that you can think of that would be of value or importance to a campground owner to know so that they can offer you what you are looking for.
I hope you will take a moment to fill out our 10 question Hotel/Motel Survey please...
The 2010 Red Deer Motorcycle Show is set to get underway at 4pm today - I hope Red Deer is up to the hugging challenge!
In the news today:
Aprilia is recalling the engine for the RSV4
Registration for our Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine must be in by midnight on January 31st - Voting begins on February 1st.
We have NO Entries for the Rat Class!!!!
If you are fortunate enough to be riding, please ride like eveyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
Thursday, January 21, 2010
2500 more subscribers and we have a shot to qualify for the funding we need to grow!!!!
I am so excited - yes indeed, EXCITED!!!!
This new government program that is replacing the two publications grants the Federal Government is phasing out includes newspapers! The old programs didn't.
If we can obtain 2500 more paid subscribers we can at least get in the door to qualify!
Since we don't seem to qualify for anything else of import - this is BIG news!
So, how are we going to attract 2500 people before the mid of March???
Well we started out by sponsoring a whole ton of FREE subscriptions.on line memberships and phone books to:
The Motorcycle Ride for Dad - Edmonton and Calgary Chapters
The CAV - the Ypres Unit
The Ontario Chrome Divas
The Tri City H-D Baggers & Hawgs Den
WITW - Calgary Chapter
WITW - Southern AB Chapter
These organizations will be selling subscriptions/memberships/phonebooks packages for the same $20 we normally do but THEY KEEP ALL OF THE MONEY so you are helping out a great cause in the charity/group you are buying from AND you are helping us at the paper!
We are also supporting some of the A.I.M.Can Chapters with 50-50 fundraising. For every subscription/membership/phone book package they sell they keep 50% of the proceeds...
Thorsby - Central AB Chapter
Foremost - Southern AB Chapter
and The Flatland Riders is Estevan SK - for the Bikers against Diabetes Rodeo.
I know I need the funds from these sales but I need the subscribers more so I hope you will support these groups and their causes by buying your subscription from them! And please, spread the news cause we really want to qualify for the funding that is being offered!!!!
I have 15 more cases of phonebooks (subscription/membership packages) that I need to get into the hands of riding clubs that want to do some fundraising... If your riding club or charitable group feels they can sell 98 packages then we'd love to hear from you! Do the math folks - 98 x $20 = $1960 whether your group is getting ALL of the money or 50% of the money it's a pretty decent amount of cash and requires very little effort!
I love win/win/win stuff like this!
In the news today - The Hells Angels are in the news on a couple of fronts. Out in Ontario - 8 members were rounded up, but the story that has me shaking my head and actually - seriously laughing is the one involving a certain Mr Punko and his attorney's suggestion that Mr Punko should go free. Now why would this make me laugh? Well - read the article and see if it doesn't strike at your funny bone a bit. I think the attorney for Mr. Punko has been being schooled by Cpl Monty Robinson...
If ever you are trying to find the latest news on our site go to the What's Hot page and on the bottom left you'll see the block with the latest news - why am I telling you this? Cause there's so freaking much in the news that I do not have time to draw your attention to all of it today!
If like my buddy Ric Lambert you are fortunate enough to be riding today - please, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. Otherwise, come join us over at www.beltdrivebetty.com for the Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine - and to whomever on Facebook who reported our event as abusive - KISS MINE - we riders deserve to have some fun...
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
This new government program that is replacing the two publications grants the Federal Government is phasing out includes newspapers! The old programs didn't.
If we can obtain 2500 more paid subscribers we can at least get in the door to qualify!
Since we don't seem to qualify for anything else of import - this is BIG news!
So, how are we going to attract 2500 people before the mid of March???
Well we started out by sponsoring a whole ton of FREE subscriptions.on line memberships and phone books to:
The Motorcycle Ride for Dad - Edmonton and Calgary Chapters
The CAV - the Ypres Unit
The Ontario Chrome Divas
The Tri City H-D Baggers & Hawgs Den
WITW - Calgary Chapter
WITW - Southern AB Chapter
These organizations will be selling subscriptions/memberships/phonebooks packages for the same $20 we normally do but THEY KEEP ALL OF THE MONEY so you are helping out a great cause in the charity/group you are buying from AND you are helping us at the paper!
We are also supporting some of the A.I.M.Can Chapters with 50-50 fundraising. For every subscription/membership/phone book package they sell they keep 50% of the proceeds...
Thorsby - Central AB Chapter
Foremost - Southern AB Chapter
and The Flatland Riders is Estevan SK - for the Bikers against Diabetes Rodeo.
I know I need the funds from these sales but I need the subscribers more so I hope you will support these groups and their causes by buying your subscription from them! And please, spread the news cause we really want to qualify for the funding that is being offered!!!!
I have 15 more cases of phonebooks (subscription/membership packages) that I need to get into the hands of riding clubs that want to do some fundraising... If your riding club or charitable group feels they can sell 98 packages then we'd love to hear from you! Do the math folks - 98 x $20 = $1960 whether your group is getting ALL of the money or 50% of the money it's a pretty decent amount of cash and requires very little effort!
I love win/win/win stuff like this!
In the news today - The Hells Angels are in the news on a couple of fronts. Out in Ontario - 8 members were rounded up, but the story that has me shaking my head and actually - seriously laughing is the one involving a certain Mr Punko and his attorney's suggestion that Mr Punko should go free. Now why would this make me laugh? Well - read the article and see if it doesn't strike at your funny bone a bit. I think the attorney for Mr. Punko has been being schooled by Cpl Monty Robinson...
If ever you are trying to find the latest news on our site go to the What's Hot page and on the bottom left you'll see the block with the latest news - why am I telling you this? Cause there's so freaking much in the news that I do not have time to draw your attention to all of it today!
If like my buddy Ric Lambert you are fortunate enough to be riding today - please, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. Otherwise, come join us over at www.beltdrivebetty.com for the Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine - and to whomever on Facebook who reported our event as abusive - KISS MINE - we riders deserve to have some fun...
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Get Ready Red Deer...
Are you up for the HUG Challenge Red Deer???
I hope so. I want to see 900 hugs come in from you guys and dolls in that Central AB Country!
I am looking to grow subscribers too - in a HUGE way. Why? Well - for the first time ever newspapers are able to access some government funding! I need 2500 more subscribers to put myself in the right category to qualify to apply for funding.
This would be a great time for you guys and dolls to start recommending the paper/our phone book and web site to your friends!
We are doing some unique fund raising with riding clubs and non profits - check out tomorrows From the Depths of File 13 for all of the low down - your group/club can get in on the fund raising if you want!
I am off to the U of A to go see my mom so I am going to keep this really short and sweet today.
If you are riding your motorcycle - please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. For everyone else - come join us at the Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine...
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
I hope so. I want to see 900 hugs come in from you guys and dolls in that Central AB Country!
I am looking to grow subscribers too - in a HUGE way. Why? Well - for the first time ever newspapers are able to access some government funding! I need 2500 more subscribers to put myself in the right category to qualify to apply for funding.
This would be a great time for you guys and dolls to start recommending the paper/our phone book and web site to your friends!
We are doing some unique fund raising with riding clubs and non profits - check out tomorrows From the Depths of File 13 for all of the low down - your group/club can get in on the fund raising if you want!
I am off to the U of A to go see my mom so I am going to keep this really short and sweet today.
If you are riding your motorcycle - please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. For everyone else - come join us at the Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine...
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Calling all Canadian Motorcycle Riders!
I NEED your help - NOW, like I have never needed it before!
Why? In a very short period of time I am going to be able to apply for funding through the new Canada Periodical Fund - I need to do one thing between now and the time I can apply and only you riders can help me.
Bikers doing animal rescue work...Tough guys - tender hearts
and Motorcycle Mojo receives funding from the Canadian Government.
If like me you are stuck working, in a place where riding feels like its a ways off....join our Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine.
www.aim-can.com
Why? In a very short period of time I am going to be able to apply for funding through the new Canada Periodical Fund - I need to do one thing between now and the time I can apply and only you riders can help me.
If you have ever read the Busted Knuckle Chronicles - our weekly community newspaper then you know its a grassroots paper about us, our community events no matter where in Canada those community events may be. The one thing I need to do is get our subscribership - those willing to pay for the newspaper's delivery to their in box up to 5,000 people.
Up until now only magazines qualified for such funding - this is the first time in six years of existence that our humble little community newspaper has been in a position to qualify for any kind of funding.
Please help us to obtain the funding we need to hire some staff, writers, reporters and be able to add another web person to help Ali and oh yah - be able to pay that amazing gal of ours better than the poverty wages she's been being fed!
Come on riders - $21.00 per year is all it costs to support us in our effort to get the funding we need to seriously improve and grow our tools. I have a six week window to get this job done folks.
Can you help out our community? PLEASE. Refer a friend - buy a subscription/membership for a friend as a gift - with your help this little newspaper will be well on its way to helping all of us in a bigger, broader and better way!
In the news today:
Bikers doing animal rescue work...Tough guys - tender hearts
There's a 115 year old motorcycle going up for aution
Buell's assests are going to auction
The Suzuki Gladious has won a major award
Adrian Blake from Ride is hosting Zero Motorcycles
and Motorcycle Mojo receives funding from the Canadian Government.
If you are riding today PLEASE - ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
If like me you are stuck working, in a place where riding feels like its a ways off....join our Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
Monday, January 18, 2010
Thank You Edmonton!
What a wickedly great weekend...
I am so honored by all of you who stopped in at the booth to give me a hug and either renew or get a subscription to the paper and pick up your 2010 phone book...
I was stunned to see how many people came specifically to give me a hug - you have NO idea how humbling that was. I found out that our subscription base is almost as strong as Canadian Biker and Mojo! That was very exciting to hear!
We have some new business partners coming on board with us. Kate King Jewelry, Athabasca Tourism and Lakeland Tourism and potentially a few more! The Edmonton show was a blast and was very rewarding.
I want to thank Doug & Sandra for their help and support in the booth, Bob from the Two Hills Run to the Hills Rally - it was great having you work with us!
The partnership with Mighty Peace Tourism has be phenominal and I am so gratified to see that many, many riders are looking forward to coming up to our neck of the woods for a ride.
In the news today: so far not a ton...For our friends in the Vancouver and upper Washingston State region Scooter Stuff is closing out as is HawgZotic in Langley - check out their face book page (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=128793800098&ref=ts)
There is a Yamaha YZ450F review - the web site this review is from has spome pretty interesting motorcycle reviews for your perusal.
And for all of my four legged friends there is a story that was submitted by a good friend that I hope your masters/owners will read...
If you are one of those lucky dawgs who is riding - PLEASE ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. And if like me you can't ride right now, join us for the Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine - it helps with that Parked Motorcycle Syndrome!
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
I am so honored by all of you who stopped in at the booth to give me a hug and either renew or get a subscription to the paper and pick up your 2010 phone book...
I was stunned to see how many people came specifically to give me a hug - you have NO idea how humbling that was. I found out that our subscription base is almost as strong as Canadian Biker and Mojo! That was very exciting to hear!
We have some new business partners coming on board with us. Kate King Jewelry, Athabasca Tourism and Lakeland Tourism and potentially a few more! The Edmonton show was a blast and was very rewarding.
I want to thank Doug & Sandra for their help and support in the booth, Bob from the Two Hills Run to the Hills Rally - it was great having you work with us!
The partnership with Mighty Peace Tourism has be phenominal and I am so gratified to see that many, many riders are looking forward to coming up to our neck of the woods for a ride.
In the news today: so far not a ton...For our friends in the Vancouver and upper Washingston State region Scooter Stuff is closing out as is HawgZotic in Langley - check out their face book page (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=128793800098&ref=ts)
There is a Yamaha YZ450F review - the web site this review is from has spome pretty interesting motorcycle reviews for your perusal.
And for all of my four legged friends there is a story that was submitted by a good friend that I hope your masters/owners will read...
If you are one of those lucky dawgs who is riding - PLEASE ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. And if like me you can't ride right now, join us for the Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine - it helps with that Parked Motorcycle Syndrome!
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
Sunday, January 17, 2010
What a fabulous day!
Sorry Calgary - I don't understand why, I have NOOO idea why - same team putting it on in Edmonyon as Calgary...but the Edmonton Motorcycle Show has kicked arse so far - it's been way better than Calgary - go figure - there are more vendors than in Calgary, the riders coming in have been in high spirits - the energy in the air has been huge!
Prices are a wee bit less expensive, parking is a wee bit cheaper...in all I think that sure helps put people in a decent mood right off the bat as they don't feel so gouged....
What ever the reason the 2010 Edmonton show has been absolutely stellar so far.
Not a lot in the news feeds this morning and I have a lot of paperwork to do, so I will sign off saying thank you to Sandra, Doug, Bob and all of the new and old BDB Club members - the hugs have been incredible.
If you are riding today - please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you...if you aren't riding join in on our Beat the PMS Blues on line show 'n' shine!
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
Prices are a wee bit less expensive, parking is a wee bit cheaper...in all I think that sure helps put people in a decent mood right off the bat as they don't feel so gouged....
What ever the reason the 2010 Edmonton show has been absolutely stellar so far.
Not a lot in the news feeds this morning and I have a lot of paperwork to do, so I will sign off saying thank you to Sandra, Doug, Bob and all of the new and old BDB Club members - the hugs have been incredible.
If you are riding today - please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you...if you aren't riding join in on our Beat the PMS Blues on line show 'n' shine!
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com