When Mark Hendrix, GM at Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson across town, arrived via motorcycle at the North Carolina Motorcycle Dealer Association’s annual meeting in Raleigh on Sunday, his hands were a bit chilly — i.e., still frozen — from the 20-degree morning temperatures.
But some coffee and a packed house of about 70 attendees in a ballroom at the swanky Renaissance North Hills quickly helped warm up everyone in attendance. Admittedly, some were still riding high from the NCMDA’s "Cocktails & Casino Night" held Saturday night on the lobby terrace, thanks to contributions from Rider’s Advantage, Farris Insurance and Aegis. Plenty of relationships were rekindled there, along with some good-natured ribbing about bets gone awry at any number of tables.
State Sen. Steve Jarvis, who played a major role in getting the street-legal bill passed into law and is already in the midst of helping to get the long-awaited off-road title bill approved in the state, joined dealers and industry partners for the Saturday night festivities. A prior commitment prevented him from joining the crew on Sunday, but his presence was appreciated.
“Senator Jarvis – this guy is great. He’s real,” said NCMDA president Chris Brewer, owner of Brewer Cycles in Henderson and an eight-time Dealernews Top 100 winner (2015, 2014, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994). “I started introducing him to dealers and everyone wanted to talk to him. We all just appreciate what he’s done to help out our businesses.”
The street legal side-by-side approval has helped North Carolina dealers accessorize more than 10,000 street legal side-by-sides at their shops in just two years since the passage, ranging from tires to windshields in addition to kits, explained Brewer. The parts counter has benefitted, as well as the service department.
“For about 90% of our customers, we do the installation on the street-legal accessories, whether it’s the kits, tires, windshields,” Brewer added.
NC State Treasurer and avid motorcyclist Dale Folwell might as well be an honorary member of the NCMDA by now, with the former Honda of Winston-Salem mechanic seeking to become the state’s Governor now that his two terms as Treasurer are coming to a close. He showed off his old dealership shop shirt to the crowd and in general got them excited about heading to the ballot box for the March 5 Republican primary. It was his time spent alongside mentors at the dealership, he referenced, that got him back on the straight and narrow as a young man. He’s turned into one of the best stories in politics:
https://www.governing.com/
Appreciative of Folwell’s support of the NCMDA, Brewer and the rest of the room hope Folwell returns next year with a new title, in front of more dealers. The enthusiasm and attendance were not lost on Brewer.
“We had a really nice turnout, one of the best we’ve had in several years,” Brewer said. “We had a lot of great speakers, and some politicians who have really impacted and supported our businesses in a positive manner.”
Established more than 30 years ago, NCMDA strives to protect, promote and keep the powersports businesses and sport thriving in the state of North Carolina, explained Executive Director Lisa Brewer. "We encourage a friendly competition and business atmosphere among our dealers and members."
Partners on hand Sunday who offered insight into their products and the current retail environment included Federated Insurance, Rider’s Advantage, Live Oak Dealer Service, ZiiDMS, Torque Group, Law Tigers, Synchrony, Aegis, Dealertrack, BUD’s Foundation, Motorsports Marketing Group, Sport Bike Chic, Carolina Academy for Riding Excellence, CCCC Motorcycle Mechanics Program, Sheffield Financial and the National Powersports Dealer Association.
Check out the March edition of Dealernews for full coverage from the NCMDA meeting. — Dave McMahon
