Manheim & Big Twin West To Host First-Ever Custom Bike Auction During Trade Show

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        Contact:           Chowning
Johnson

November 16, 2006
McNeely Pigott & Fox

 
(615) 259-4000

 


Manheim AND BIG TWIN WEST TO HOST FIRST-ever

 CUSTOM BIKE AUCTION DURING TRADE SHOW

 

            ATLANTA - Manheim and Big Twin West will partner to host the
first-ever custom bike auction on December 3, at the Mandalay Bay
Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev.  The auction will be available
through Manheim Simulcast, which allows dealers to participate in the
live auction online.  

 

            The auction is being held in conjunction with the Big Twin
Customs Invitational competition sponsored by Big Twin West, an annual
aftermarket trade event for Big Twin motorcycle retailers.

 

          "This event allows Big Twin West to expand the scope of its
audience and helps Manheim reach a new customer base," said Karen
Braddy, director of heavy truck, highline and specialty sales for
Manheim.

 

            Last year, Big Twin West organizers noticed that those who
entered their custom designs in the open bike build competition were
posting hand-written for-sale signs on the vehicles.  Organizers saw an
opportunity to provide a better option and partnered with Manheim to
facilitate an auction for the 2006 show. 

 

            "Custom bike builders often struggle to market their
creations to external audiences," said Dave Scott, show manager for Big
Twin West and publisher of Big Twin Dealer, an Advanstar publication.
"The use of Manheim's auction expertise and knowledge of specialty
vehicles will enable us to reach a whole new group of customers from
outside the industry." 

 

            The custom bikes will run in a mini-lane set up at the
Mandalay Bay Convention Center from 1 to 4 p.m. PST, with a bike preview
from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. PST.  Manheim Simulcast will broadcast a live
feed of the sale through stationary and handheld cameras for enhanced
viewing by dealers online.

 

            Manheim has been involved in Big Twin West since the
creation of Manheim Specialty Auctions two years ago.  Manheim Specialty
serves the needs of dealers looking for vehicles other than the
traditional automobile.  Manheim offers specialty auctions for boats,
RVs, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and power sport vehicles at
locations nationwide. These facilities offer units from a variety of
consignors, including Bank of America, BMW, CIT, Citizens Bank, GE,
GreenTree Servicing, Harley-Davidson, M&T Bank, SST, Wachovia, and World
Omni.

 

            Big Twin West, established in 2004, serves manufacturers and
distributors of American and Metric Big Twin products, accessories and
services in addition to owners, managers and buyers of franchised and
independent dealerships and custom bike builders.  The three-day trade
show is open to the public on the last day.

 


About Manheim 


 

Manheim is the world's leading provider of automotive remarketing
services.  Through its live auctions and array of technology products,
Manheim impacts every stage of a used vehicle's life cycle, helping
commercial sellers and automobile dealers realize the full value of
their vehicles. 

 

The company's services include reconditioning, certification,
inspections, dealer financing, transport, title management and
marshaling, among others.  Manheim is also the leader in remarketing
technology, using its online tools to connect buyers and sellers around
the globe to the world's largest, most comprehensive wholesale
marketplace.  In 2005, Manheim handled nearly 10 million used vehicles -
and sold more than 5 million - representing more than $50 billion in
value. 

 

Manheim's subsidiary companies provide value-added remarketing products,
including paintless dent removal (Dent Wizard), Auto Body Repair, and
salvage vehicle remarketing (Total Resource Auctions).  

 

A wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Atlanta-based Manheim is a
global organization with 32,000 employees at its 139 U.S. and
international locations. For more information, visit www.manheim.com.

 

About Advanstar

 

            Advanstar Communications (www.advanstar.com) is a leading
provider of integrated media solutions to the automotive aftermarket,
off-road and powersports industries, offering a dominant portfolio of
seven magazines including new titles Big Twin Dealer, Off-Road Business
and DIRTsports; 15 targeted supplements and buyers' guides; 16 consumer
events including leading brands Off-Road Expo, the largest off-road
consumer show series in the country, and the International Motorcycle
Shows, the largest consumer motorcycle event series in the world; three
trade shows including Dealer Expo(r), voted a 2005 Tradeshow Week
Fastest 50 tradeshow winner; 14 Web sites including Off-Road.com, the
industry's leading off-road Web site, and  42 training manuals for
vehicle industry professionals, trade buyers, and enthusiasts.

 

            Through a multimedia approach, Advanstar reaches nearly 9
million original equipment and aftermarket manufacturers, distributors,
service and repair professionals, retailers, and consumers. Advanstar
drives insightful news analysis, research and trends, entertainment, new
product information and buying opportunities to customers at their
office, home, and race track - keeping them passionate, competitive, and
connected.

 

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