Harley Davidson and Bike Week

hazelnut · 01-03-2011, 09:24 AM

Interesting article regarding Harley's presence at Motorcycle Week:

http://www2.laconiadailysun.com/stor...aving-downtown

LACONIA — City Manager Eileen Cabanel told the City Council last night that officials of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company have assured her that the firm will return to Motorcycle Week in June, but indicated they were eying venues other than downtown where their rally "road show" has been staged for the past four years.

Cabanel said that while she sought an explanation for seeking another location none was forthcoming. However, she said that in the past officials of the company have expressed reservations about the lack of other attractions downtown that would complement the road show and draw greater numbers to it. She said that she intended to meet with the downtown merchants to consider what could be done to attract more visitors to the area during the rally.

"If we want to keep them (Harley-Davidson)," Cabanel stressed, "we've got to work on it."

Since 2007, the motorcycle giant's corporate presence at Bike Week — including its demonstration ride operation — has been staged in the municipal parking lot located between City Hall and the post office. At first their was some opposition from downtown merchants because of the fear of losing a parking area primarily used by their employees.

The city has not charged Harley-Davidson any rent in an effort to encourage out-of-town guests to visit the center of the city.

Prior to moving the road show downtown, the Milwaukee company had located it 14 miles south, at the N.H. Motor Speedway in Loudon.

01-03-2011, 09:24 AM	#1
hazelnut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,348 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 508 Thanked 462 Times in 162 Posts	Harley Davidson and Bike Week Interesting article regarding Harley's presence at Motorcycle Week: http://www2.laconiadailysun.com/stor...aving-downtown LACONIA — City Manager Eileen Cabanel told the City Council last night that officials of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company have assured her that the firm will return to Motorcycle Week in June, but indicated they were eying venues other than downtown where their rally "road show" has been staged for the past four years. Cabanel said that while she sought an explanation for seeking another location none was forthcoming. However, she said that in the past officials of the company have expressed reservations about the lack of other attractions downtown that would complement the road show and draw greater numbers to it. She said that she intended to meet with the downtown merchants to consider what could be done to attract more visitors to the area during the rally. "If we want to keep them (Harley-Davidson)," Cabanel stressed, "we've got to work on it." Since 2007, the motorcycle giant's corporate presence at Bike Week — including its demonstration ride operation — has been staged in the municipal parking lot located between City Hall and the post office. At first their was some opposition from downtown merchants because of the fear of losing a parking area primarily used by their employees. The city has not charged Harley-Davidson any rent in an effort to encourage out-of-town guests to visit the center of the city. Prior to moving the road show downtown, the Milwaukee company had located it 14 miles south, at the N.H. Motor Speedway in Loudon.