SVTPerformance Brings You Highlights From PRI 2013
The Performance Racing Industry show moves back to Indianapolis, IN for 2013. But was it a good move?http://www.svtperformance.com/forum...formance-brings-you-highlights-pri-201-a.htmlhttp://www.svtperformance.com/forum...formance-brings-you-highlights-pri-201-a.html
The Performance Racing Industry show moves back to Indianapolis, IN for 2013. But was it a good move?http://www.svtperformance.com/forum...formance-brings-you-highlights-pri-201-a.htmlhttp://www.svtperformance.com/forum...formance-brings-you-highlights-pri-201-a.html
For 2013 the organizers of the annual Performance Racing Industry trade show saw fit to return the event to Indianapolis, IN. For the past several years the show made Orlando, FL its home, and the move has been somewhat controversial. Some feel that the return to Indy is correct because of the central location and proximity to many racing industry businesses. Still others, myself included, lament the move several reasons (weather being first among them). We often took advantage of the Orlando area make a side trip to Univeral Studios, Disney, and even Lethal Performance.
Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict we were not able to attend PRI this year. This was the first time we have missed out in many years. Since we weren't able to to be there in person we decided to reach out to some of our friends in the industry in the industry and get their opinions of PRI 2013. The impressions were generally positive. Check them out:
Jesse Kershaw - Ford Racing Performance Parts - "The PRI show was great for us this year in large part to having the new 2015 Mustang in the booth. It's great to see that the industry is eager to get their hands on the new car and keep Mustang in the winner's circle. The show looked great, and being in Indy was a benefit for many manufacturers, including Ford Racing, because geographically it was easier and quicker to get staff and display properties to the show. The crowd was as strong as any other year and there was no shortage of business opportunities."
Terry Reeves - Team Beefcake Racing - "I think the move was great. It puts the focus on the show instead of hanging out in sunny Florida. In addition, combining the show lends a lot more credibility. Much more to see and look at."
Andy Ricketts - Livernois Motorsports - "This year, as many know, was the first year the show was in the recently revamped Indianapolis convention center. The show was very different in layout, and attendance compared to the show in Orlando. While the overall amount of people was similar, the type of performance that people were seeking was very different.
The crowd in Orlando always seemed to be a high concentration of performance installation and tuning centers, where the Indy crowd I encountered seemed to be highly concentrated of general automotive companies, such as oil change centers and general repair. For the performance shops that were there it appeared to be much more focused on circle track style racing. This is not per se a negative, just a large shift in the demographic.
Indy does have many appealing attributes. Its downtown area has a great array of restaurants, bars, and other entertainment. Had the weather not been so brutally cold, this would have been great as everything was within a somewhat reasonable walking distance.
With those items being said, one other area of topic us the venue itself. Unfortunately, the show appeared to be more than the center could handle. Having to chase down vendors in a hallway, meeting room, or possibly a different hall was a tad irritating. This is what caused the shows change of venue before, I see it creating issues for the foreseeable future.
Being this was the first year back in Indy, it may not be a fair overview of what the future holds. Am I going to miss Orlando? Absolutely! What Michigander wouldn't choose Orlando in December? I am excited to see what the future holds for the show in Indy."
Terry Reeves - Team Beefcake Racing - "I think the move was great. It puts the focus on the show instead of hanging out in sunny Florida. In addition, combining the show lends a lot more credibility. Much more to see and look at."
Andy Ricketts - Livernois Motorsports - "This year, as many know, was the first year the show was in the recently revamped Indianapolis convention center. The show was very different in layout, and attendance compared to the show in Orlando. While the overall amount of people was similar, the type of performance that people were seeking was very different.
The crowd in Orlando always seemed to be a high concentration of performance installation and tuning centers, where the Indy crowd I encountered seemed to be highly concentrated of general automotive companies, such as oil change centers and general repair. For the performance shops that were there it appeared to be much more focused on circle track style racing. This is not per se a negative, just a large shift in the demographic.
Indy does have many appealing attributes. Its downtown area has a great array of restaurants, bars, and other entertainment. Had the weather not been so brutally cold, this would have been great as everything was within a somewhat reasonable walking distance.
With those items being said, one other area of topic us the venue itself. Unfortunately, the show appeared to be more than the center could handle. Having to chase down vendors in a hallway, meeting room, or possibly a different hall was a tad irritating. This is what caused the shows change of venue before, I see it creating issues for the foreseeable future.
Being this was the first year back in Indy, it may not be a fair overview of what the future holds. Am I going to miss Orlando? Absolutely! What Michigander wouldn't choose Orlando in December? I am excited to see what the future holds for the show in Indy."
I'm hoping we'll be able to make it to the show next year. While I'm sure I'll miss the sun and warmer temperatures of FL, I know for certain that I don't want to miss out on one of the best trade shows anywhere. If you love performance PRI is always a great show to attend. Luckily for us Damon Steinke, a friend of SVTP, shared some pics with us that we are now able to share with you here. Check them out:
-SID297:beer:
