Original Proposal to the MMIC in 2002

MMIC
Bob Ramsay, Executive Director
3780 - 14th Avenue, Suite 211
Markham, ON L3R 9Y5

Dear Bob:

Enclosed is information on SUPERSHOW 2002 and SUPERSHOW 2003. Would you please see that this information is put into the hands of the MMIC Executive Committee Members and other relevant parties in these matters.

I am pleased to report that SUPERSHOW 2002 was an outstanding success with attendance up by 7,000 representing an increase of over 13%. We were also greatly encouraged that our advertising and marketing strategies worked well as evidenced by the exhibitor reports of the high quality of attending public as knowledgeable, quality buyers. I know that the comments that I received from the Manufacturers were all very positive.

As I have made you aware the International Centre has now brought me up to date with their plans for hall 5, the Arrow Hall. This Hall was constructed primarily for concert use but is currently being expanded to 100,000 square feet, as premium exhibit space. The Arrow Hall is considered the International Centre's most prestigious exhibition space. It has a domed ceiling, 35 feet at it's highest point, is well lit, entirely pillarless with polished concrete floors, ample loading docks and drive in doors. It also features a large spacious lobby area and an overhead private office complex with washrooms and six offices for side meetings – one large enough to be suitable for an Exhibitor Lounge. This entire complex is of recent construction with the expansion construction currently under way and scheduled for completion this coming April. In addition to the Arrow Hall expansion there is also a 1600 square foot Grand Ballroom attached that is currently under re-construction to culminate in a fully carpeted 1600 square foot area that is divisible with walls into three smaller areas. Hall 5 connects to Hall 3A with a decorative brick constructed walkway with slate tile floor. The overall visual impression of Hall 5 is of a well lit, open area, unfettered by pillars or restrictions of sight lines in an airy open concept of new construction with quality predominating.

ADVANTAGES OF THE ARROW HALL TO THE MAJOR MANUFACTURERS

There are distinct advantage to the Arrow Hall and its format. By relocating the Manufacturers from Hall 3 where they currently utilize 60,000 square feet, we would be able to greatly air out the whole presentation by creating a central concourse with trees and benches and a row of Manufacturers' booths on either side. There is room to run 20 foot aisles in the main areas and 15 foot secondary cross aisles, while leaving ample space for 10 x 10 perimeter wall boothing to accommodate such exhibitors as the Manufacturers may require. There is ample room for expansion of individual Manufacturers' booths or space adjustments for reconfiguring existing dimensions. The polished concrete floors virtually eliminate any dust problems and aisle carpeting throughout the walkways would dramatize the finishing touches along with the plants and benches. The impact on the attending public would obviously be stunning. Dealer product seminars and meetings could be accommodated in the upper office complex overlooking the Show floor. Large meetings and receptions such as the MMIC Sponsored Celebration of Motorcycle Racing could be accommodated as part of the entire Manufacturers' Complex in the new Grand Ballroom.

Other additional options include opening the Arrow Hall at 5pm as a private function the evening prior to the general Show opening. The Manufacturers could invite guests from their database and their Dealers' customer base along with the Media. We could license the entire Hall and guests would be free to enjoy a gala 'sneak preview' with a glass of wine while viewing the new bikes. Another option would be to open the Arrow Hall for one day prior to the general opening allowing the public a complete day of exclusive viewing of the new product prior to the rest of the Halls opening. With the Manufacturers positioned in the Arrow Hall there are a lot of options and we are only limited by imagination as to these marketing opportunities.

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE'S PROVEN TRACK RECORD

The International Centre is the most popular venue with knowledgeable consumers and consistently draws the highest attendances. The International Centre is also the most popular choice of Show Producers and Production costs to the Manufacturers will be far lower. This is general knowledge within the Shows & Exhibitions Industry. Guaranteed Dates: The SUPERSHOW's dates have held for 26 years and are considered protected by the International Centre.

No Charge Parking: The International Centre's parking is free to not only the attending public but also the Show's exhibitors. Additional capacity lots, parking staff, paid police and signage are all contracted and paid by the Show Producer to make this happen. Five hundred new parking spots have been opened up near Hall 5 entrance, and an additional five hundred parking spots next to the GO Transit lot have been negotiated for 2003 increasing the no charge parking to nearly 10,000 vehicles. SUPERSHOWs Manufacturers never share the parking with another Show. Total parking capacity is utilized only by the SUPERSHOW.

IN CLOSING

The International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW is a highly successful Show. Any city in North America would be proud to have a Show of 26 years standing, of this size and magnitude, with an attending audience of 60,000. There is not another Show in Canada of any size, of any type that handles an audience of 60,000 in a three-day period. All of this carried out with very few complaints. Rather, we have received many congratulatory e-mails, faxes, and phone messages from the public and exhibitors congratulating the SUPERSHOW on a job well done.

BHP believes that by the Manufacturers moving into a Hall 5 Showcase all of the concerns that the MMIC has identified to BHP would be satisfied, while avoiding the perception that the MMIC is going into competition against the SUPERSHOW, and all the resulting negative publicity, confusion and division in Canada's major motorcycle market.

For your information we have enclosed a rough draft of a suggested floor plan showing Manufacturers' booths and walkways, and public entrance location. As we would not know sizes and shapes for 2003 we have shown the Manufacturers' displays as SUPERSHOW 2002 sizes but with SUPERSHOW 2003 rotation.

BHP would like to make a request to attend an executive committee meeting of the MMIC, at its earliest convenience, where we could show more extensive building plans and supply constructive information and supply answers to any questions regarding these matters.

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