THURSDAY JANUARY 19, 2006  | Show attendees were informed and entertained by a wide
variety of presenters |
Insight. Perhaps that one word best summarizes the
first day of this exciting trade event. Attendees began flowing into the
Las Vegas Convention Center's South Hall as soon as the doors opened
this crisp, clear morning, eager to educate themselves about the latest
business strategies and marketing innovations available to the industry.  | The exhibit hall is empty now, but excitement is
building for its Thursday opening |
Of course, there were also a few sneak peaks at the
Main Hall, where exhibitors were busily setting up booths and displays.
Amid the unpacked crates, boxes and trailers, even the casual observer
could sense a growing excitement at the sight of the many Trophy-Trucks,
rockcrawlers and other competition vehicles being unloaded and prepped for
tomorrow's official Exhibit Hall opening. In fact, lookie-loos included
several stragglers from a neighboring concrete industry convention.
"Your off-road show is a lot more interesting," one confessed.  | UROC co-founder Mark Patey delivers his motivational
address |
You'll get no argument on that last point from this
year's participants. The number of registrants for today's suite of
educational conferences more than doubled from 2005. (This year will see a
50% increase in exhibitors as well.) Manufacturers and retailers met for
an early breakfast, then attended a highly motivational talk presented by
Mark Patey, co-founder of UROC. A day of seminars followed, covering
everything from environmental and land-use issues to new-product
launches?plus a panel discussion featuring major tire industry
representatives focusing on motorsports, product and marketing trends.  | Ian and Jessi of Spike TV's Xtreme 4x4 show field
audience questions |
Over lunch, attendees feasted on a behind-the-scenes
look at RTM Productions' popular Xtreme 4x4 television show
delivered by producer Butch Bass and hosts Ian Johnson and Jessi Combs.
The trio revealed much about the inner workings of the show, and how build
projects are chosen. Currently reaching an audience in the millions, the
show's content will broaden in the coming year, and Bass, Johnson and
Combs are exploring ways to bring more of the excitement of off-road
motorsports to their format.  | Xtreme 4x4 producer Butch Bass (center) confers with
Off-Road Group publisher Jim Ryan (left) |
As if that weren't enough, Off-Road Impact unveiled
its Heritage Hall tribute to the legendary the McMillin racing family. The
Masterpiece in Metal exhibit, featuring exciting vehicles from the pages
of DIRTsports magazine also opened to great fanfare. For attendees, this was a day of insights into the
latest trends driving today's off-road marketplace. For enthusiasts, it
was proof that the off-road industry is not only thriving, but growing by
leaps and bounds. This is one instance where what's happening in Vegas
thankfully won't stay in Vegas. The events taking place at 2006 Off-Road
Impact will definitely reverberate throughout the Off-Road Nation and the
wider American landscape. Michael Imlay
Off-Road Business
Editor at Large | 
