Viewpoint: An Education in UTVs

UTVs are becoming an increasingly prevalent topic of discussion in the industry, and, thus, in Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) magazine. This issue of OPE includes our second annual UTV Trends editorial coverage, this time with an even more in-depth look at how UTV trends are impacting OPE dealers, and what you need to know regarding this product segment. My thanks to all of the UTV industry experts who took time to share their knowledge of the market.

In addition to trends, this issue of OPE also includes a look at the latest UTV innovations, as well as UTV accessories; and powersports expert Mark Mooney provides tips for those of you who are carrying UTVs, or considering carrying UTVs, in your dealership.

 

UTV University

No matter where you are at with regard to the UTV conversation, there is an excellent opportunity to learn much, much more this fall at GIE+EXPO.

The third annual UTV University will be held Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Ky. UTV University is brought to you by OPE magazine and sister publication Powersports Business magazine. There is no reservation required to attend, and UTV University is free with your trade show registration.

October 17 at the show will feature a special “Dealer ‘Kick-off’ Keynote” by Dr. Robert Ballard from 10:30 a.m.-Noon. From Noon-3 p.m., GIE+EXPO offers an exclusive dealer preview on the trade show floor (indoor exhibits open to all attendees from 3-7 p.m.) Between 3 and 6 p.m., Wednesday, UTV University will provide industry insight and analysis from UTV industry experts.

  • From 3-3:55 p.m., Steve Shankin, president and owner of Seizmik, will present “UTVs and the Massive Missed Opportunity.” During this session, Shankin will share strategies for rethinking how your team sells to UTV customers, backed by a significant amount of data to support his strategies.
  • From 4-4:55 p.m., “Learn how to effectively target the 8 Utility Vehicle (UTV) professional verticals,” courtesy of JW Washington, director of business development at Ariens. With years of success in the UTV Market, Washington will show dealers how drive incremental sales via the “Landscape Professional” and “Governmental” segments.
  • From 5- 5:55 p.m., Mike Smith, president and CEO of Odes Industries will present “Turning UTV Prospects Into Buyers – How to Fix the Simple Things to Get Better Results.” What does it take to get the drive-by customer to not only know that he or she just drove past your dealership, but to get that same customer to 1) enter your store and 2) leave with a UTV purchase that suits their needs? Smith will examine the small details that every dealership can capitalize on in order to increase traffic. Smith is a former powersports dealership owner who sold 7,000 vehicles in his last year of owning the dealership.

 

For more information about GIE+EXPO and UTV University, or to register, visit www.gie-expo.com.

 

I hope you enjoy the UTV editorial coverage in this issue of OPE, and I also hope you take advantage of the opportunity to learn even more at UTV University this October.

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