Custom motorcycle show expected to draw 30,000

Custom motorcycle show expected to draw 30,000
The Business Journal of Phoenix - 4:36 PM MST Friday, March 30, 2007
by Chris Casacchia
The Business Journal

A chance encounter has led to the one of the country’s largest weekend-long gatherings of custom motorcycles, vendors and exhibitors, daily freestyle motorcycle stunts and music exhibitions.

And it’s in our backyard.

Nitro Syndicate is holding “Westside Motorcycle Expo” this weekend at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, and the event will feature more than 300 vendors and exhibitors representing custom motorcycles and accessory brands such as Metzeler, Big Bear Choppers, Bassani and Küryakyn.

More than 30,000 spectators are expected to attend the event.

Special musical acts will perform all day, including Grammy nominee Buckcherry, set to perform Friday. Army of Anyone takes the stage on Saturday and Sunday nights at 9.

“We wanted to combine the biggest expo of custom bikes and vendors the Valley has ever seen with a weekend-long rock concert,” said Mike Logan, founder and president of Nitro Syndicate and creator of the event.

Vendor space also has been designated to the Glendale Police Department, the 100 Club of Arizona and the family of fallen officer Anthony Holly, who will be on hand to collect donations.

Logan, owner and operator of Phoenix-based Logan Development Corp., a carpentry and general contracting firm, met event producer Kennie Cuppetteli last year and the two developed their ideas into Nitro Syndicate.

Cuppetteli has produced such events as Showtime Boxing, World Cup Soccer and rock concerts like Lollapalooza, Green Day and James Taylor.

Leveraging the popularity of numerous custom motorcycle television shows airing on cable, Logan wanted to create a brand that reflected this growing enthusiast core and their preferences.

The Nitro Syndicate brand now encompasses a clothing line, licensing, and event production and management. Logan has personally designed 20 different motorcycles that were eventually built by Hot Rod City Customs.

Extreme freestyle motorcycle stunt acts will be performed daily outside the stadium. Child activities include NASCAR and drag strip simulators, free concert posters and t-shirts and an opportunity to win one of 24 BMX bikes being given away. Daily door prizes for adults also will be given away.

Logan is in negotiations with a premier sponsor to help with the $100,000-plus production costs for future events, and with a media partner. He is also in talks to take the event on the road, talking to venues in Michigan, Florida and Hawaii.

General admission is $18 for adults, $12 for military personnel (with ID) at the door, and children under 12 get in free. Presale tickets are available at Ticketmaster locations and online. Vouchers for general admission are available at all Checker Auto locations in Arizona, Nevada, California and New Mexico.

For more: www.nitrosyndicate.com.