MEMBERSHIP LOGIN
JOIN PRI
Packed Aisles, Busy Booths Mark Big Opening Day For 2014 PRI Trade Show
Image
Packed aisles, full booths and brisk sales were the rule of the day for Thursday's opening of the 27th Annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
Long known as the three biggest business days in racing, this year's Show certainly lived up to its billing on Day 1.
“We had a fantastic first day of the show,” said John Kilroy, PRI Trade Show producer. “It was really fun walking through the exhibit aisles today. Seeing all the booths busy and selling their products to aisles full of buyers. It was a great first day.”
The day began with the storied tradition of the Grand Opening Breakfast, where renowned motorsports journalist Dave Despain of MAVTV conducted a lively sit-down interview with legendary drag racers Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen. Upon conclusion of the breakfast, thousands of attendees flooded the exhibit hall to find the latest in technology and racing innovation.
“It’s PRI – it’s the best show of the year for us,” said Don Burgoon, President of PFC Brakes. “It’s just been fantastic. Our booth has been full all the time – great quality attendees and interested customers. It’s definitely the most productive show of the year.”
A similar refrain was heard throughout the Show floor.
“It’s been excellent,” Chris Paulsen of C&R Racing told us. “We had constant traffic in our booth all day long, to the point that none of us have been able to leave. It’s going great, and it’s the right attendee that’s here. It’s going really well.”
After last year’s packed house, exhibitors were prepared for today’s crowds with increased staffing and eye-catching displays to accompany their latest parts and technology.
“We’ve gotten off to a big bang on Thursday and we’re looking forward to the rest of the weekend being just as productive,” said Paula Nate of Hoosier Racing Tire. “It was time for Hoosier to step it up a notch and spread the ‘Purple Presence’.
In addition to an all-new exhibit, the company brought a staff of about 20 from its corporate office in nearby Brownsburg, Indiana, along with distributors from across the globe, including Japan, Germany, the UK and Thailand, "so we’ve got a good international flair, as well as about 15 distributors here from the United States and probably close to 100 staffers overall,” Nate added.
“The show is going great,” agreed Blane Burnett of Holley. “We’ve really benefited from all the traffic here at the show. We’re releasing our new HydraMat Fuel Reservoir system here, and the booth has just been packed.”
Attendees were just as pleased with the offerings at this year’s Show.
“We’re out here visiting some of the manufacturers we do business with who make a lot of the parts and pieces to our engines, and even the chassis builders,” said Cruz Pedregon, driver of the Snap-on Tools Toyota Funny Car. “It’s such a big show, so I usually come out and do four hours on Thursday and then come out and do four hours on Friday. If I had more time I’d bring a shopping cart out for my hot rod and go up and down every aisle.”
This year’s PRI Trade Show, which runs through Saturday, will play host to exhibits from over 1100 racing companies occupying 3200 booths, and attract tens of thousands of racing professionals from across the US and 70-plus countries from around the globe. For more information, go to www.pri2014.com.
Long known as the three biggest business days in racing, this year's Show certainly lived up to its billing on Day 1.
“We had a fantastic first day of the show,” said John Kilroy, PRI Trade Show producer. “It was really fun walking through the exhibit aisles today. Seeing all the booths busy and selling their products to aisles full of buyers. It was a great first day.”
The day began with the storied tradition of the Grand Opening Breakfast, where renowned motorsports journalist Dave Despain of MAVTV conducted a lively sit-down interview with legendary drag racers Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen. Upon conclusion of the breakfast, thousands of attendees flooded the exhibit hall to find the latest in technology and racing innovation.
“It’s PRI – it’s the best show of the year for us,” said Don Burgoon, President of PFC Brakes. “It’s just been fantastic. Our booth has been full all the time – great quality attendees and interested customers. It’s definitely the most productive show of the year.”
A similar refrain was heard throughout the Show floor.
“It’s been excellent,” Chris Paulsen of C&R Racing told us. “We had constant traffic in our booth all day long, to the point that none of us have been able to leave. It’s going great, and it’s the right attendee that’s here. It’s going really well.”
After last year’s packed house, exhibitors were prepared for today’s crowds with increased staffing and eye-catching displays to accompany their latest parts and technology.
“We’ve gotten off to a big bang on Thursday and we’re looking forward to the rest of the weekend being just as productive,” said Paula Nate of Hoosier Racing Tire. “It was time for Hoosier to step it up a notch and spread the ‘Purple Presence’.
In addition to an all-new exhibit, the company brought a staff of about 20 from its corporate office in nearby Brownsburg, Indiana, along with distributors from across the globe, including Japan, Germany, the UK and Thailand, "so we’ve got a good international flair, as well as about 15 distributors here from the United States and probably close to 100 staffers overall,” Nate added.
“The show is going great,” agreed Blane Burnett of Holley. “We’ve really benefited from all the traffic here at the show. We’re releasing our new HydraMat Fuel Reservoir system here, and the booth has just been packed.”
Attendees were just as pleased with the offerings at this year’s Show.
“We’re out here visiting some of the manufacturers we do business with who make a lot of the parts and pieces to our engines, and even the chassis builders,” said Cruz Pedregon, driver of the Snap-on Tools Toyota Funny Car. “It’s such a big show, so I usually come out and do four hours on Thursday and then come out and do four hours on Friday. If I had more time I’d bring a shopping cart out for my hot rod and go up and down every aisle.”
This year’s PRI Trade Show, which runs through Saturday, will play host to exhibits from over 1100 racing companies occupying 3200 booths, and attract tens of thousands of racing professionals from across the US and 70-plus countries from around the globe. For more information, go to www.pri2014.com.
