Weld's beadlock wheel, winner of the show's Best New Product Award

Even as the 2006 Off-Road Impact Trade Show and Conference wraps up, a sense of excitement remains. At 4 p.m. exhibitors will begin packing up their displays and loading their products and vehicles onto trailers and trucks for the long haul home. The lights in the Main Hall will go dark, but don't be fooled: This event will illumine the industry for a long time to come. Real business was accomplished here, and attendees will be taking the insights and innovations gleaned from this show with them on the road.

While those within the industry understand the significance of a trade event like Off-Road Impact, the implications are often lost on consumers and enthusiasts. After all, they can only read about the excitement taking place here; they can't experience it personally?yet.

The 2006 Off-Road Impact was the perfect venue for product demonstrations

The new products, business models, educational tools and business opportunities presented at a trade event ultimately benefit the enthusiast base. They drive trends from online marketing to product design. They connect manufacturers and retailers and draw media attention. Vital issues from product standards to government regulation are discussed, giving voice to a growing industry. There is a strong sense here that a tipping point has been reached in the off-road industry.

Toyota's all-new FJ Cruiser is making waves in the off-road community. Both prototype and full production models were on display, allowing lucky product developers an opportunity to take their measure

In the near future, expect off-road motorsports to explode onto the national stage in unprecedented ways. Look for major auto manufacturers to increasing turn to off-road enthusiasts for design cues. Watch as a myriad of thrilling new products show up on the Internet and retail shelves. In short, the industry is coming of age, and this show is helping to propel it like no other.

Heeding the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words, we'll let the images captured on film today tell the rest of the story.

For an intensive three days, the show was a place for insiders to forge real business connections. The partnerships cemented here will impact the industry for years to come

New to Off-Road Impact, first-time exhibitor Trail Ridge enticed crowds with a chassis giveaway

Roy Denner, founder of the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), announces the winner of the organization's AlumiCraft raffle giveaway. The vehicle went to attendee Jimmy Wietzel of Alpine, Calif.

A closer look at the ORBA/AlumiCraft prize vehicle

CORR racer Dan Vanden Heuvel signed autographs at the Amsoil booth

Michael Imlay
Off-Road Business
Editor at Large