Important IMS Press Release Regarding "Next Steps" Program, press release relay by W&HM

The Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® Announces “Next Steps,” an Extension of the Discover the Ride Initiative to Get New Riders Formally Licensed

The first IMS-sponsored motorcycle training course, together with Academy of Motorcycle Operation, aims to properly train and license a new generation of riders

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 29, 2019 – The Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® (IMS), the industry leader for connecting powersports’ top brands with enthusiasts and buyers, today announced “Next Steps,” an extension of the company’s Discover the Ride program, which serves the entire motorsports community by breaking down the industry’s high barriers to entry. Following Discover the Ride’s successful implementation into the 2018/2019 IMS tour, which introduced over 2,000 potential riders to the experience of motorcycling for the first time, Next Steps represents an evolution of the program by helping new riders get trained as part of their ride to be formally licensed.

The IMS Next Steps program has been made possible in alliance with the Academy of Motorcycle Operation (AMO) – an organization that provides quality motorcyclist training in a safe, positive learning environment – in which AMO will offer an IMS-sponsored course October 19^th and 20^th at AMO’s Altadena, California location. The sponsored course, which will use the CHP Motorcyclist Training Course, is open to all attendees of the 2018 IMS Long Beach show who participated in Discover the Ride’s New Rider Course. IMS’ sponsorship includes full course compensation for four course participants as well as five discounted course tickets. Breakfast and lunch will also be provided by IMS throughout the two-day course for all students and instructors.

Registration for AMO’s IMS Sponsored Course is open now through September 20. To learn more about AMO’s IMS Sponsored Course and how to register, please contact Leah Boles at lboles@motorcycleshows.com.

“We’re thrilled to team up with IMS to support the growth of the motorcycle industry,” said Charlie Fernandez, General Manager of AMO. “We always put safety first, and we also believe it’s important to learn to ride in a positive, supportive environment that’s a blast! We look forward to welcoming those who have participated in IMS’ Discover the Ride program, taking their experience from the course to the open road.”

In addition to contributing to the evolution of the Discover the Ride program, Next Steps represents a significant development for IMS in its progression as a brand. As the nation’s largest consumer motorcycle tour, IMS has served as an industry-focused organization for the past 38 years. In light of the significant losses the motorcycle industry has seen in recent years as millennials and Gen X’ers have not entered the market at the same rate as baby boomers are aging out, IMS has taken actions to help inspire new riders through creating easily approachable programs. Next Steps showcases how IMS is evolving to better support the growth of the industry by getting new riders on two wheels beyond their experience at IMS shows. As Discover the Ride helps riders identify that they want to ride, Next Steps takes the extra step of breaking down more barriers to entry by getting new riders formally licensed.

“It was amazing to watch so many new riders hop on a motorcycle for their very first ride during last year’s IMS tour through Discover the Ride,” said Tracy Harris, Senior Vice President, Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows®. “Now that so many of our Discover the Ride participants have expressed interest in getting their motorcycle license, we’re thrilled to be able to make that journey a little bit easier for them by offering comped and discounted courses through the Academy of Motorcycle Operation, a trusted organization committed to rider safety.”

Following the receiving of their motorcycle license, new riders can familiarize themselves with the world of motorcycling through NewTo2.com, an online platform within Discover The Ride dedicated to the continued education of the new generation of riders.

To register as press for the Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows®, please visit: motorcycleshows.com/Press.

Connect with IMS (#RidersUnite):

Media Contacts:
Audrey Uchimoto, (310) 496-9423, IMSPR@ubm.com
Lauren Lloyd, (310) 266-4792, IMSPR@ubm.com
Tam Nguyen, (424) 410-9797, IMSPR@ubm.com

About Progressive^®International Motorcycle Shows^®
The Progressive^®International Motorcycle Shows^®offer enthusiasts an all-access pass to the world of motorcycling. Launched in 1982, the tour showcases hundreds of the latest street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers, scooters, and ATVs for new and experienced riders, and gives enthusiasts the opportunity to check out the latest gear and aftermarket accessories, as well as hours of entertainment. The shows also provide the opportunity for attendees to hop on two wheels via its Discover the Ride initiative designed to introduce riding motorcycles to consumers of all ages in a safe and controlled environment. The Progressive^®International Motorcycle Shows^® is organized by Informa Markets, which recently acquired UBM to become a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B events and exhibitions organizer in the world. To learn more and for the latest news and information, visit  www.informa.com  and  www.motorcycleshows.com.