The Moto Expo has easily been the largest and longest standing motorcycle exhibition in the country, where the first show was established 15 years ago in 2001. The show provides the industry a chance showcase the latest bikes, accessories and apparel amongst a selection of other products that would be of interest to motorcycling enthusiasts. In addition to vendors and exhibitors, the expo also hosts’ a variety of entertainment displays to ensure visitors remain engaged throughout the weekend-long events.

From its early beginnings at the Royal Exhibition building in Melbourne, the Moto Expo expanded to three shows – including Brisbane and Sydney – prior to the global financial crisis (GFC), before returning to a sole show that now alternates between Melbourne and Sydney. The Moto Expo has predominantly been run by Mark Peterson, who joined forces with Troy Bayliss Events in 2013.

“The very first show was in 2001 and that ran at the Royal Exhibition building in Melbourne and that was about 7500 square-metres,” Peterson shared. “Originally it was Melbourne, and then we did Melbourne and Brisbane and then Sydney came along. When the GFC hit, it was too expensive and the manufacturers got together and said we want to support the shows. The best way we could do that was alternate the biggest shows – Sydney and Melbourne.

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

“When I teamed up with Troy [Bayliss] we sat down and decided we wanted to do something a little different. The focus is definitely the latest and greatest motorcycles, parts and accessories, but we want to make it more of a day out. We don’t want people to walk through a showroom, see some bikes they haven’t seen before and walk out.

“We want to give them an experience – just like riding a motorcycle – and that’s what we have done with the show with live entertainment, flat track racing, supermoto, kids riding motorcycles with qualified instructors, test rides out on to the public roads – at the end of the day it is an experience, not just a static exhibition.”

The Moto Expo is a logistically large task and requires the services of over 1500 exhibitor staff, plus an additional 300-400 staff who ensure the events runs flawlessly throughout its duration. Preparations for the expo commence two years in advance according the Peterson, who shared the timeline of when they start implementing their planning strategy.

“There are 1500 exhibitor staff – from three staff on the smaller stands to 30 to 40 on the bigger ones – [that] make the weekend happen. There’s 50 entertainers – including the guys doing dirt track, supermoto and the bag jump. Then there is the TBE staff, which there are 20 of us running the engine room. Stand builders, and contractors such as security, cleaning, catering, car parking would be another 300-400 people. It’s a big event,” he continued.

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

“Almost two years out is when we pretty much lock in our dates. 18 months out we start working on that show and a year out – where we are at for Sydney in 2017 – we are about to launch that. It will be announced this Friday, but there is already six months work that has gone on behind the scenes. Friday is when the bookings start for 2017.”

Peterson compared the Moto Expo to automotive shows, explaining that the Moto Expo displays more motorcycles than cars at a motor show, which is something he believes the industry should be proud of. While the show has large selection of bikes on display, this year’s event saw an increase of models flown directly from the highly-regarded EICMA, which saw over 20 brand new motorcycles unveiled in Australia for the first time.

“The motor shows, although they don’t run anymore, if you compare them to the Moto Expo we get more motorcycles on display within the show then cars in a motorshow. It’s a massive pat on the back for the industry and one of the showcase events of the calendar year. This year there are over 20 bikes being flown in from EICMA. Back in the early days we’d have one or two, that’s the importance manufacturers are putting on this show. But it’s not just that there are so many other bikes that people haven’t seen or ones that have been released in the last few months as well.

“We run the show in November because that’s what the manufacturers wanted. With the two main shows in Europe – Intermot and EICMA – done, bikes are freighted down here in time for the show. Last year was different because EICMA and the Sydney Motorcycle Show were on the same weekend, we still had some brand new models but nowhere near as many as we have this weekend.”

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Peterson revealed that the shows are becoming stronger and stronger each year, however they still rely on visitors to ensure the events are successful. He went onto speak about the exhibitor staff playing a key role in the success of the expo, stating that as they’re experts in their specific field, they know their products inside out and can assist visitors in making knowledgable decisions.

“The continuation of the Expo relies on visitors coming along. If the public don’t come along, these events will stop. The shows are getting stronger – with more exhibitors, bikes and entertainment – but there is a lot of investment that the manufacturers are putting into it to make it happen. The people working on the stands are the experts – they know the product inside and out. No matter what you are after, they can tell you what is best for you – you can compare everything all under one roof. Exhibitors really bring their A-game to these shows and deliver the best customer service they can on their products. You’ll get all the ins and outs,” he concluded.

After last weekend’s expo was hosted in Melbourne, next year’s event is slated to take place at the all-new Sydney International Convention Centre (ICC) in Darling Harbour.