Will a consumer-facing motorcycle show ever return to the United States?

The unexpected announcement marked the end of an era. It also left a gaping hole in the annual motorcycle show calendar. One that still hasn’t been filled. 

While the absence of IMS is still felt today, AIMExpo hopes to draw both industry insiders and the general public to Las Vegas by partnering with The One Moto Show and the Vahna Film Festival this year.

Something for (almost) everyone

Historically, AIMExpo welcomed both industry members, with opening days for dealers and others who worked in the industry, followed by a day open to consumers. That all changed during the pandemic. In 2020, the trade show closed its doors to the public. That same year, IMS suspended its nationwide tour due to restrictions on public gatherings. The show returned in 2021, but not in its traditional format. By April, organizers introduced IMS Outdoors, a version of the event that moved participating OEMs, vendors, exhibits, and attendees outside. 

Unfortunately, IMS Outdoors didn’t last long. The organization shut down operations a little over a year later, leaving U.S. consumers without a marquee motorcycle show. As opposed to EICMA (Italy), which primarily hosts new model announcements, IMS often attracted visitors with a combination of brand exhibits, aftermarket vendors, and demo rides. The latter opportunity was especially beneficial for U.S. customers, as many manufacturers and U.S. dealers don’t offer test rides.

Now, motorcycle shows fall into two distinct spaces: trade shows and custom shows. This year’s AIMExpo aims to bring both together in early February. 

The One Moto Show was founded by Thor Drake in 2009. For the past 16 years, the Portland-based event showcased some of the top custom motorcycles in the country. AIMExpo will help bring that PDX flavor to Sin City by partnering with The One Moto Show. AIMExpo runs February 5-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and then the One Moto Show gives AIMExpo visitors reason to hang around with its show at the Western Hotel on February 7-8. (The Vegas show is an addition to, not a replacement for, the original show in Portland, which is scheduled for May 2-4.)

The show is not the only addition, either. The VAHNA Film Festival screened several moto-centric shorts at last year’s One Moto Show. This year, it will also curate a “unique cinematic experience” at AIMExpo. For those not attending AIMExpo, VAHNA will also screen the films at The Beverly Theater in downtown Las Vegas at 6 p.m. February 6.

Despite The One Moto Show promising “live performances” and “outdoor OEM demo opportunities,” it’s unlikely to reach the scope or attendance achieved by IMS. AIMExpo’s collaborative efforts may be a step in the right direction, but they still don’t amount to a full-scale consumer-serving motorcycle show.

VAHNA, One Moto, and AIMExpo’s partnership only begs the question: Will one ever return to the United States?