KART EXPO ANNOUNCES MOVE TO NEW DUPAGE EXPO CENTER

Largest Kart Show return to Pheasant Run area expected to reduce exhibitor costs in tough economy

Wheaton, Illinois - The Sodi presents KART EXPO, North America’s largest trade show devoted exclusively to the karting industry has announced that it is moving the nearly 20-year-old event to the DuPage Expo Center in west suburban Chicago.

 
Darrell Sitarz, the show’s founder and director returns Kart Expo to the recently renovated exhibit hall which is directly across the street from Pheasant Run Resort a popular karting industry location.

Sitarz said, "We are returning to the Pheasant Run area in response to our exhibitor’s requests and to drastically reduce their costs to do business at Kart Expo. We expect that some exhibitor’s costs can be reduced nearly 30% on average which makes it easier to exhibit and sell at the show."

Kart Expo previously held the show at Pheasant Run between the years 2001 and 2006 and Sitarz says that the exhibitors have been saying that they missed the intimacy and affordability of that location. The DuPage Expo Center is considered as part of The Pheasant Run Resort Campus. Exhibitors will have a choice of three hotels in the area including host hotel Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express and the beautiful Pheasant Run Resort itself.

Sitarz said, "In the past, exhibitors told us that they simply enjoyed the low-key intimacy of this location and so we have returned. It is a more kart-oriented location and, frankly, much better suited to the industry than PRI."

The new location provides exhibitors with a wide variety of off-site entertainment including two nearby gambling casinos and the famous Zanie’s Comedy Club located directly inside Pheasant Run.

Sitarz said, "We know how our exhibitors like to enjoy themselves and DuPage Expo is right in the middle of one of Chicago’s suburban hot spots so spouses and families can make this a real holiday in addition to presenting their products and services to the many buyers who attend."

It is no mystery that this is a soft economy and Kart Expo at DuPage Expo will feature an industry roundtable on Friday, Feb.21 which will address this topic. The roundtable will feature key executives from retail, motorsports and manufacturing sectors.

Sitarz said, "We have a responsibility to help the industry to grow even in these soft-economic conditions and so we are bringing some of the top people to Kart Expo to discuss key issues surrounding the current market and, most important, what steps can be taken to grow."

As a special note, Kart Expo has extended Trade only Hours from 8 AM to Noon on Friday, Feb 21st.

Sodi Kart is the title sponsor of Kart Expo and a longtime supporter of the show.

Peter Bekkers, head of Sodi Kart USA said, "Sodi applauds the move from Schaumburg to DuPage because it does indeed reduce costs for exhibitors and we feel that this important for a show of this stature. Sure, PRI may be fun to go and see Orlando but Kart Expo is for real karting business."

ABOUT KART EXPO 2009:
Location: DuPage Expo Center
4050 East Main St., (Rt #64)
St. Charles, IL 60174
Dates/Times & Schedule:
February 21-22, 2009
Saturday: 8:00AM-Noon - Trade Only
Saturday: Noon-6:00PM - Open to the public

Sunday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM - Open to the public

Roundtable:
February 20, 2008
Location and Schedule to be announced
Exhibitor Contacts:
Darrell Sitarz
Karting@msn.com
630-653-7368

ABOUT SODI KART: Although one of the largest in the karting industry, Sodikart is a mid-size company, fully devoted to the karting industry. Being the industry leader, with revenues increasing annually exceeding 20% or more the last 3 years, Sodikart is financially one of the strongest kart companies in the world. Worldwide operations are overseen from our 80,000 square foot, multi-level plant in Europe, where Sodikart employ’s over 70 employees.
Sodikart was created in 1981 by Gildas Merian, its current chairman. Originally the company focused on distribution and was heavily involved in racing and even achieving world championship in 1993, 2nd place in 2003, 1st place in 2004 and 2nd place in 2005 and 2nd in 2006 and the world championship in 2006. The company has steadily grown the past 25 years and has become a key player in the karting industry.

www.sodikart-usa.com
Kart Expo is produced by: Kart Marketing International, Inc.
www.e-kmi.com