2011 Annual Meeting & Expo

[jonw9]

I just wanted to point out to those that have not read the auction rules ( http://www.mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=102285 ) that I am trying something different this year for the bid closing.

If you recall the the closing last year, it was a circus, with people holding bid sheets, blocking others in an attempt to sneak in that last second bid.

This year, that should not be an issue. The items will have two different color bid sheets. One set is blue and those auctions will close sometime between 3:00 and 3:30. The other set, green, will close sometime between 3:30 and 4:00

I say "sometime" because I know what time the auctions will close, but you will not. If you want an item, bid on it, bid early, bid high, bid often.

[SteveF]

I had a lot of crap to do this weekend but I managed to swing by the Expo for an hour or so late in the morning. Did it seem a lot smaller to anyone else? Fewer shops with displays at least...

[ihateplaindave]

Fewer shops, more swap people, fewer silent auction stuff. The crowd seemed a little smaller but not sure.

[Sherpaboy]

I felt it was actually more shops...But way fewer attendees.

There were more Swap tables than in the past few years as well

[Guppie]

Way smaller. If it weren't for the iceman entries and xterra entries I wouldn't go. Unless I won award. But I'm also driving from gr. If I was local I'd stop by.

I got my iceman and two xterra entries so in happy.

Thanks to all for organizing.

[kalkaskawinterfest]

Looking for the person who won the dog sled ride?

[gossamer]

I am sure there are some good reasons but, I was surprised that there were no factory reps there with some bikes to try out. It seems like a perfect venue, riders from all over and the ability to ride the bikes in doors on dirt. What else is going on at the end of January that the factory reps wouldn't want to come and promote their rides. Also I was kind of shocked that there were not more bike shops present.

Like I said I am sure there are reasons but I am just curious.

I thought the 500TT was a blast, great idea and what a crowd drawer.... and I realized that a fixed gear bike is a little more difficult to spin up and maintain.... no coasting!!!

I also thought the Cow Bells for the awards are awesome, good job, hope it will be something just as cool next year.

Thanks to all who helped put it together.
Dave

[geardaddy37]

yup...I had fun and bought some cool stuff at the tables...now I have to start tearing my bikes apart and getting them ready to roll! thanks to all who put this on!
Bill

[RMXByker]

Just want to send out a big "Thank You" to all that were involved in making the Expo happen. This was my first experience going this event and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I ended up getting some great deals on the items that I needed both from the Swap Meet and the Bidding. The wife very much appreciates the savings since she has some how managed to convince herself that MTB is an expensive hobby. It was also very nice to finally put a face to some of the names that I often communicate with on the threads.

Thanks again and looking forward to getting out and riding!!!

[mihalko1]

I am sure there are some good reasons but, I was surprised that there were no factory reps there with some bikes to try out. It seems like a perfect venue, riders from all over and the ability to ride the bikes in doors on dirt. What else is going on at the end of January that the factory reps wouldn't want to come and promote their rides. Also I was kind of shocked that there were not more bike shops present.

Like I said I am sure there are reasons but I am just curious.
Dave

While that would be sweet, it isn't realistic. The venue is not an ideal place to try mountain bikes. Yes, yes, yes, there is a dirt pump track on site, but that is hardly a realistic place to try out a new FS bike or get an idea for climbing prowess, etc. If a company is going to sink all that money into paying a guy to drive the factory truck for a few days, food, lodging, etc, they need to see the rationale behind it. Mid-winter in the mid-west? Not so much. You just have to be patient and wait for the May Island Lake Demo.

Additionally, most factory trucks establish a "tour" of sorts where they head out for a few weeks and hit different events around the country. A one time shot kind of deal to control costs and logistics. A lot of these companies don't even have their popular bikes ready to roll this time of year. This is the production season.

[gossamer]

I am sure there are some good reasons but, I was surprised that there were no factory reps there with some bikes to try out. It seems like a perfect venue, riders from all over and the ability to ride the bikes in doors on dirt. What else is going on at the end of January that the factory reps wouldn't want to come and promote their rides. Also I was kind of shocked that there were not more bike shops present.

Like I said I am sure there are reasons but I am just curious.
Dave

While that would be sweet, it isn't realistic. The venue is not an ideal place to try mountain bikes. Yes, yes, yes, there is a dirt pump track on site, but that is hardly a realistic place to try out a new FS bike or get an idea for climbing prowess, etc. If a company is going to sink all that money into paying a guy to drive the factory truck for a few days, food, lodging, etc, they need to see the rationale behind it. Mid-winter in the mid-west? Not so much. You just have to be patient and wait for the May Island Lake Demo.

Additionally, most factory trucks establish a "tour" of sorts where they head out for a few weeks and hit different events around the country. A one time shot kind of deal to control costs and logistics. A lot of these companies don't even have their popular bikes ready to roll this time of year. This is the production season.

Good points, I was just thinking if this was my area and i was the rep I would want to represent the company somehow, even a couple of bikes and some brochures.... you know something to stir up the hype of the upcoming season. But I do understand the demo fleet cost...

[scat silvurz]

Big thanks to bike shops - TrailsEdge, Sweet Bikes, and Cycletherapy, for their generous contributions to Metro South's Expo fundraiser Game "The Wheel of Fortune". It was fun for all who participated.

I'd post some pictures of the event, but for some reason, the [img][img/] is restricted........

As for the event itself - I like the venue. Thought the swap tables were well stocked with curiosities, and plenty of bike shops. As for the factories showing up en masse to display vast tracts of 2011 models, sadly those days only exist in the dusty past. I do think that having the event in Lansing vs. Davisburg [much further from the population core of Metro Detroit] figures largely in people saying "f*ck-it" and staying home, or doing something else? Perhaps, but then again - all the folks there were there because they really wanted to be - kinda like a microcosm of the whole MMBA.

Perhaps some of the "unwashed masses" rank-and-file MMBA'ers will take the reigns and see to it that next year's show is a breakout smash "do not miss event". Anyone can give it a go, nobody will stop you.

Anyone?

Bueller?

[wingzz]

Big thanks to bike shops - TrailsEdge, Sweet Bikes, and Cycletherapy, for their generous contributions to Metro South's Expo fundraiser Game "The Wheel of Fortune". It was fun for all who participated.

I'd post some pictures of the event, but for some reason, the [img][img/] is restricted........

As for the event itself - I like the venue. Thought the swap tables were well stocked with curiosities, and plenty of bike shops. As for the factories showing up en masse to display vast tracts of 2011 models, sadly those days only exist in the dusty past. I do think that having the event in Lansing vs. Davisburg [much further from the population core of Metro Detroit] figures largely in people saying "f*ck-it" and staying home, or doing something else? Perhaps, but then again - all the folks there were there because they really wanted to be - kinda like a microcosm of the whole MMBA.

Perhaps some of the "unwashed masses" rank-and-file MMBA'ers will take the reigns and see to it that next year's show is a breakout smash "do not miss event". Anyone can give it a go, nobody will stop you.

Anyone?

Bueller?

one sure way, more cat butt water bottles

[scat silvurz]

Yes, those new-design Cycletherapy water bottles are definitely nice! and functionally superior to the old style water bottles, but anyone who's ever owned a short haired cat will definitely notice the resemblance......meow!

[Di_bear]

With this year's expo, it was pretty much a "reinvent the wheel" event. I had NO idea what I was doing. I now have inquiry letters, press releases, etc. written up and ready to go, vendor lists *already* compiled, and an idea about how to set things up. This will allow us to spend more energy on making it better.

There were some bigger vendors that I would love to have seen and gotten auction items from, but it turns out that we had to apply for these much earlier in the year, so I'll be working on those this winter and spring for next year's expo. I would like to get more freeride stuff there. We are already working on a contract for next year's expo, and I'll be contacting a potential speaker today.

We're already tossing around ideas for next year's expo including ending it a little earlier to hopefully get more people to the meet and greet and to lessen the wait for the end of the silent auction. I'm also going to give people the opportunity to RSVP for a swap meet table, because we were completely taken by surprise with how many participants we had, especially compared with last year.

Metro South was a hoot! Love yo' funky attitude...and your awesome t-shirts. I do have pictures and will post them elsewhere.

BIG THANKS to the DeYoungs for checking in the swap meeters and the vendors and accommodating the need for more tables and producing a great setup. We're going to go with roughly the same setup, next year. Also, a big thanks to Jon and Mrs. W9 for doing a great job with the silent auction. This was Jon's first year putting this thing together, and if I can somehow bribe him to do it again, next year, I will. The DeYoungs and the W9s are a huge reason why this expo worked out well.

Special thanks to IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel, Hoosier MTB Association's Paul Arlinghaus, RJF Insurance's Scott Chapin, and Jason Wells of Trail Solutions for presenting at the expo. I really enjoyed Mike's speech. I was also very happy to meet all of them at our Saturday night meet and greet. If you have the opportunity to listen to any of these guys at future events, I strongly suggest it.

...and last but not least, the Western Chapter did a great job making the pump track happen. Thanks, guys!