AIM Expo 2025: Complete Guide for First-Time Attendees

Attending AIM Expo for the first time can feel overwhelming. With over 500 exhibitors spread across 300,000+ square feet of expo space, dozens of educational sessions, multiple networking events, and thousands of attendees, knowing where to start is half the challenge.

This guide answers the practical questions first-time attendees ask: How do I register? Where should I stay? What should I bring? How is the expo organized? What are the must-see exhibits and events?

Let's start with the basics and work toward insider tips that will help you navigate AIM Expo 2025 like a veteran.

Essential Event Information

Dates: January 7-9, 2025 Location: Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802 Hours:

Tuesday, January 7: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, January 8: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday, January 9: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Who Attends: Powersports dealers, distributors, manufacturers, service providers, and industry media from across North America.

Registration Process

When to Register

Early Bird Pricing (Until December 15, 2024):

Industry Professionals: $50
Walk-up Registration: $150

The $100 savings makes early registration a no-brainer.

How to Register

Visit the official AIM Expo website (aimexpousa.com)
Click "Register" and select attendee type
Complete the registration form
Provide business information (dealer license, business tax ID)
Submit payment

Important: You'll need to prove you're a legitimate industry professional. Have your:

Business license or dealer license number
Business tax ID
Company website
Business email address (personal emails may be rejected)

What You'll Receive

After registering, you'll get:

Confirmation email with badge pickup instructions
Access to the official AIM Expo app (download before you arrive)
Exhibitor list and floor plan (available 2-3 weeks pre-event)
Schedule of educational sessions and special events

Getting to Anaheim

Flying In

Nearest Airports:

John Wayne Airport (SNA) - 14 miles, 20-30 minutes

Smaller, less crowded
Easy in/out
Typically more expensive flights
Best option if available at reasonable price

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) - 35 miles, 45-75 minutes

More flight options
Usually cheaper
Larger, more complex
Traffic can be unpredictable

Long Beach Airport (LGB) - 22 miles, 30-40 minutes

Smaller, convenient
Limited airline options
Good alternative if flight times work

Ontario International Airport (ONT) - 35 miles, 35-50 minutes

Less crowded than LAX
Reasonable flight options
Good backup option

Ground Transportation

From John Wayne (SNA):

Uber/Lyft: $30-45
Rental car: Enterprise, Hertz, Avis on-site
Taxi: $40-55
Shuttle: $25-35

From LAX:

Uber/Lyft: $60-90 (surge pricing possible)
Rental car: All major companies (off-site shuttle required)
Taxi: $85-110
Shuttle: $40-55

Pro Tip: If flying into LAX, consider renting a car. The price difference vs. rideshares for 3 days of travel around Anaheim often makes it worthwhile.

Where to Stay

Official Partner Hotels

AIM Expo negotiates discounted rates at partner hotels. These book up quickly, so reserve 6-8 weeks in advance.

Tier 1: Walking Distance (Under 0.5 miles)

Hilton Anaheim

Connected to convention center via skybridge
Most convenient option
$189-229/night (partner rate)
Books up fastest

Anaheim Marriott

2-minute walk to convention center
Full-service hotel
$179-219/night (partner rate)
Excellent for networking (many attendees stay here)

Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort

5-minute walk
Comfortable, reliable
$169-199/night (partner rate)

Tier 2: Shuttle Service (0.5-2 miles)

Several hotels offer complimentary shuttles to the convention center:

Best Western Plus Stovall's Inn
Residence Inn Anaheim Resort
Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park

Tier 3: Budget Options

If minimizing cost is priority:

Hampton Inn Anaheim: $129-159/night
Days Inn Anaheim: $89-129/night
Quality Inn: $79-119/night

Most budget options are 1-3 miles away. Factor in Uber costs and time.

Booking Strategy

Best Value: Marriott or Sheraton partner rates - great balance of convenience and cost

Maximum Convenience: Hilton (skybridge access means you don't even go outside)

Budget-Conscious: Stay slightly further out, use Uber/Lyft ($15-20 round-trip daily vs. $50-70/night hotel savings)

Group Attending: Split a suite at a partner hotel – often cheaper per person than individual rooms

What to Pack

Business Essentials

Badge & ID

Government-issued ID (required for badge pickup)
Business card (bring 100+)
Company letterhead or dealer license (just in case)

Note-Taking Tools

Phone with note app
Portable charger (critical – you'll use your phone constantly)
Small notebook and pen (backup)

Networking Materials

Latest dealership marketing materials
Photos of your facility
Information about your market/customer base

Practical Items

Comfortable Shoes (The #1 Most Important Item) You'll walk 3-5 miles per day on concrete floors. Wear broken-in, supportive shoes. Many first-timers make the mistake of wearing dress shoes and regret it by midday Day 1.

Lightweight Bag For collecting materials, product literature, and swag. A cross-body bag or backpack works better than carrying things.

Layers Convention centers have inconsistent temperatures. Bring a light jacket or sweater.

Water Bottle Stay hydrated. There are filling stations throughout the expo.

Snacks Convention center food is expensive and lines can be long. Pack protein bars or similar.

Tech Setup

Download These Before You Arrive:

Official AIM Expo app (essential for navigation and schedule)
LinkedIn app (for immediate networking follow-ups)
Note-taking app you're comfortable with
Your email app with notifications enabled

Prepare Your Phone:

Clear storage space for photos
Fully charge before leaving hotel each morning
Bring portable charger
Consider bringing charging cable

Understanding the Expo Layout

Hall Organization

AIM Expo typically divides into themed areas:

Main Expo Hall:

Manufacturers (motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides)
Aftermarket accessories and gear
Major technology providers

Dealer Services Area:

Software and technology solutions
Marketing and advertising services
Financial services
Insurance providers

Education Zone:

Seminar spaces
Demo areas
Interactive exhibits

New Product Showcase:

Manufacturers unveiling new models
Industry innovations
Technology premieres

The official app provides interactive floor maps. Download and familiarize yourself before arriving.

Booth Numbering System

Booths are numbered sequentially, but not always logically. The floor plan on the app is essential. Don't try to find booths by number alone – use the map.

First Day Strategy

Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

10:00 - 10:30: Badge Pickup and Orientation

Arrive right at opening to avoid lines
Pick up badge and materials
Walk the entire show floor quickly to get oriented (don't stop at booths yet)
Identify locations of must-visit exhibitors

10:30 - 12:00: Priority Booth Visits

Visit your top 3-5 must-see exhibitors while they're fresh and not crowded
Have initial conversations
Schedule follow-up times if needed

Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

12:00 - 1:00: Lunch Options:

Convention center food court (convenient, expensive)
Nearby restaurants (less crowded, better value - ask locals or hotel staff for recommendations)
Bring your own (cheapest, but need somewhere to eat)

1:00 - 3:30: Explore Mode

Visit secondary-priority booths
Discover unexpected solutions
Attend an educational session if one interests you

3:30 - 5:30: Follow-Up Mode

Revisit booths where you need more information
Attend another educational session
Begin organizing notes and business cards

6:00 - 8:00: Welcome Reception

Network with other dealers
Casual conversations with vendors
Make 5-10 valuable connections

Educational Sessions

How to Choose

With 20-30 sessions, you can attend maybe 6-8 total across three days. Prioritize:

Industry Trends Sessions - Understand where the market is heading Operational Best Practices - Learn what successful dealers are doing Technology Demonstrations - Evaluate solutions for your dealership

Pro Tip: Sessions right after lunch (1:00-2:00 PM) and late afternoon (4:00-5:00 PM) tend to be less crowded than mid-morning.

Getting the Most Value

Arrive 5-10 minutes early for good seats
Ask questions during Q&A
Take photos of slides (if permitted)
Connect with speakers afterward
Exchange contact info with attendees facing similar challenges

Networking Effectively

Where Networking Happens

Official Events:

Welcome Reception (January 7, 6:00 PM)
Dealer Appreciation Dinner (January 8, 7:00 PM)
Educational session breaks
Expo floor (yes, really)

Unofficial Opportunities:

Hotel lobbies and bars
Breakfast in hotel restaurants
Shuttles between hotel and convention center
Lunch areas

Conversation Starters

With Other Dealers:

"First time at AIM Expo? Me too." / "How many times have you attended?"
"What's been your biggest discovery so far?"
"What part of the country is your dealership in?"
"Any booths you'd strongly recommend visiting?"

With Vendors:

"What makes your solution different from [competitor]?"
"Can you show me specific results from dealers similar to mine?"
"What's your implementation process look like?"
"Can you provide dealer references I can contact?"

LinkedIn Strategy

Add new contacts on LinkedIn within 24 hours. Include a personalized note: "Great meeting you at AIM Expo. Let's continue the conversation about [specific topic]."

This cements the connection while it's fresh.

Common First-Timer Mistakes

Mistake #1: Trying to See Everything

Reality: With 500+ exhibitors, it's impossible. Solution: Prioritize based on your dealership's specific needs and goals.

Mistake #2: Not Taking Notes

Reality: You'll forget 80% of what you see without documentation. Solution: Develop a system and use it consistently.

Mistake #3: Collecting Every Brochure

Reality: You'll carry bags of materials you never read. Solution: Only collect information from genuinely relevant vendors.

Mistake #4: No Follow-Up Plan

Reality: Good intentions don't convert to results. Solution: Schedule follow-up time immediately upon returning.

Mistake #5: Skipping Networking Events

Reality: Valuable connections happen in casual settings. Solution: Attend at least the Welcome Reception and one other networking event.

Mistake #6: Wearing Uncomfortable Shoes

Reality: Your feet will hurt by 2:00 PM Day 1. Solution: Prioritize comfort over style. Seriously.

Money-Saving Tips

| Expense | Standard Cost | How to Save | |---------|--------------|-------------| | Registration | $150 | Register early ($50) = Save $100 | | Hotel | $200-250/night | Partner rates ($170-220) = Save $30/night | | Meals | $75-100/day | Breakfast at hotel, pack snacks = Save $30/day | | Transportation | $60-80 | Book flights early, use hotel shuttles = Save $40 | | Total Savings: | $200-300 | Plan ahead and use strategies above |

What to Expect Each Day

Day 1 (Tuesday, January 7): Overwhelm and Discovery

This is orientation day. Everyone's figuring out the layout, initial booth visits happen, and the energy is high. Expect:

Crowded aisles mid-morning
Enthusiastic vendors
Information overload
Welcome Reception networking

Goal for Day 1: Get oriented, hit priority booths, attend one key session, make initial vendor connections.

Day 2 (Wednesday, January 8): Deep Dives

This is the primary working day. Most serious business happens Day 2. Expect:

More focused conversations
Ability to revisit booths for follow-up
Best networking opportunities
Peak attendance

Goal for Day 2: Have in-depth conversations with key vendors, attend 2-3 sessions, network intentionally at Dealer Appreciation Dinner.

Day 3 (Thursday, January 9): Last Chances

Shorter day (closes at 4:00 PM). Some vendors start packing up early. Expect:

Special show-only deals announced
Final opportunity conversations
Lighter crowds
Wrap-up mode

Goal for Day 3: Clarify remaining questions, finalize any decisions, make last-minute connections, organize materials for post-event review.

Special Opportunities at AIM Expo 2025

Industry Leaders You Might Meet

Major manufacturer representatives, industry association leadership, and successful dealer owners from across North America attend. Be ready with your "elevator pitch" about your dealership if opportunity arises.

Show-Only Deals

Many exhibitors offer special pricing or terms exclusively for AIM Expo attendees. These deals are often announced Day 2 or Day 3. Ask vendors directly: "Do you have any show-only offers?"

New Product Unveilings

Manufacturers often choose AIM Expo to unveil new models, technology, or programs. These premieres generate buzz and provide first-mover advantage for dealers who pay attention.

Wheeler's Booth #1481

We'll be at Booth #1481 with something special for first-time AIM Expo attendees: straight talk about what actually works in powersports marketing, backed by real data from hundreds of dealerships.

No aggressive sales pitches. Just honest conversations about:

How successful dealers generate 2-6x lower customer acquisition costs
Why most dealership marketing underperforms (and how to fix it)
What's changing in digital marketing for powersports

Plus, we have a special program exclusively for AIM Expo 2025 attendees ready to transform their dealership's digital presence.

Stop by – even if you're just gathering information. We've been doing this 30+ years and genuinely enjoy helping dealers succeed.

After AIM Expo: Maximizing Your Investment

The expo is just the beginning. Real value comes from implementation.

Week 1 (Back Home):

Organize all materials and notes
Share key insights with your team
Begin vendor follow-ups
Create implementation priority list

Week 2-4:

Schedule calls with top vendor prospects
Check dealer references
Request proposals
Make decisions

Month 2-3:

Implement quick wins
Begin longer-term initiatives
Measure early results
Adjust based on outcomes

Final Thoughts for First-Timers

AIM Expo can be intimidating for first-time attendees, but it's also incredibly valuable. You're getting compressed access to industry expertise, product innovations, and networking that would take months to accomplish individually.

Go in with clear objectives, stay organized, network intentionally, and follow up systematically. The dealers who get the highest ROI from AIM Expo treat it as a three-month strategic initiative: weeks of preparation, three days of intensive learning, and weeks of disciplined implementation.

Your competitors will be there. Many of them are also first-timers figuring it out as they go. The difference between success and wasted opportunity is often just preparation and intentional execution.

See you in Anaheim, January 7-9, 2025.

Ready to make AIM Expo 2025 your most valuable investment this year? Get a free marketing audit before you attend to understand your current position, or visit Booth #1481 during the expo to discover what the most successful powersports dealerships are doing differently.