With live in-person events all but completely eliminated in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic and all the shut down measures, PRI had to get creative and take their trade show on the road. After several stops and many first-time moments with vendors and friends, the first ever PRI Road Tour is officially in the books.
A shot before we removed the partial commercial wrap on the PRI Road Tour Mercedes Sprinter Van. PRI traveled with a professional film and media team which showcased the vendor's new products and content via social media platforms and the world wide web.
An Old Friend
You know that saying, 'It's not about what you know, but who you know' ....it really proved true on this one. Interesting fact: Our own owner/operator of Podium Designs used to work at the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) as a production designer with a member of PRI's current art/media department.
PRI
Since its inception in 1986, Performance Racing Industry (PRI) has served as the motorsports industry's key source for trends, merchandising ideas, new products, business strategies, and more. Through the world’s premier auto racing trade show in Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as PRI’s award-winning monthly business magazine, digital platforms and social networks, motorsports industry members from all over the world remain at the cutting edge of the worldwide racing marketplace. Founded by racing entrepreneur Steve Lewis, PRI was purchased by SEMA in 2012.
The annual PRI Trade Show features over 1,100 companies exhibiting in more than 3,300 booths and showcasing the latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies, and trailers for the racing industry at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. Launched in 1988, the Show encompasses all forms of racing and attracts attendees from all 50 states and across the globe, including professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers and media.
PRI, whose sphere of influence includes drag racing, short track, stock car, road racing, off-road, vintage, endurance, karting, truck and tractor pulling, performance marine, and more, is known as the leading publishing and events company for racing and performance professionals. Value-added services include an extensive PRI Education program at the annual Trade Show, regular networking events at major racing hubs across the US, and hosting of best-in-class conferences during Race Industry Week, among others. The company is based in Aliso Viejo, California, with offices in Indianapolis.
The Tour
October 7, 2020–Performance Racing Industry (PRI) launched a new cross-country campaign to gather and share news and updates from dozens of racing-related businesses. Dubbed “The PRI Road Tour,” the campaign was an all-out content creation bonanza that took the PRI team directly to manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, race teams, race tracks, and more, over a two-month span. The PRI Road Tour, which began on October 10, helped manufacturers promote their products and services, and connect the worldwide racing industry by making more than 85 planned stops at motorsports businesses and facilities throughout the country, concluding on December 15. The PRI team's goal was to capture and shared video, photos, and exclusive interviews highlighting the industry’s newest products, vehicles, races, and developments. “If the industry can’t come to the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, then PRI is coming to the industry,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. Traveling in the PRI Road Tour van, wrapped with the PRI logo, the team conducted on-site interviews and curated content to share on PRI’s website and social platforms, as well as within its monthly magazine. PRI also partnered with various media outlets, racers, influencers, and social media channels to further amplify the news and information it was able to gather. PRI invited all motorsports companies to join the PRI Road Tour by submitting press releases, photos, videos, and other assets to be included in the program. PRI provided simple guidelines with minimal requirements to encourage widespread industry participation. Professional editors had access to these submissions and generated content to be used on PRI’s channels, as well as shared with other media and influencers. “The business of racing starts at PRI, and our goal is to support the motorsports industry by helping them spread the word about what they are doing,” Meyer said. “We’ve tapped into the world’s best photographers, videographers, and social media experts to develop content that will resonate with the racing world.” The PRI Road Tour kicked off on October 10 in Indianapolis with video shoots at the Indiana Convention Center, speed shops, and popular attractions. The team drove to Chicago on October 12 as it made its way through Detroit, Cleveland, and cities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Arizona, and eventually ending in California. The PRI team closely followed local, state, and national health and safety guidelines as the Road Tour traveled the country covering the business of racing. To learn more about the PRI Road Tour, visit www.PRI2020.com/RoadTour, email RoadTour@performanceracing.com, and follow Performance Racing Industry on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.