Mike Ausec Joins Advanstar Powersports Group

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – August 7, 2012 – Advanstar Communications Powersports Group, the producer of the largest and longest-running powersports show tour in the world, announced today that Mike Ausec has joined the company as sales director for its Progressive International Motorcycle Shows portfolio.

Ausec will lead the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows sales strategy as part of a continued expansion program that includes the new Progressive International Motorcycle Shows in Atlanta (November, 2-4, 2012) and Indianapolis alongside Dealer Expo (February, 15-17, 2013).

Ausec is an industry veteran with more than 14 years of international and domestic sales experience. He was most recently District Sales Manager for Dominion Enterprises’ Cycle Trader and RV Trader digital brands, CRM solutions, web site solutions, and data management systems. Ausec joins Advanstar’s senior management team of Mo Murray, Tracy Harris and Jim Moore and will be based out of the company’s Santa Monica, California headquarters. He will focus on leading the group’s consumer event sales and digital sales growth.

“Mike impressed us with the marketing solutions and sales growth he drove while at Dominion. He brings that same professionalism, customer service and strategic expertise to the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows tour as we expand the services we offer to our OEM’s, exhibitors and sponsors,” said Advanstar Communications Powersports Division Executive Vice President Danny Phillips. “The newly created position fits perfectly with our geographic and feature expansion plans. Growing the IMS brand is very important to Advanstar, and having a devoted IMS sales director matches our company's strategic position of offering customized solutions for our clients and expanding our reach to consumers.”

Ausec stated, "I'm excited to join Advanstar's Powersports Group and the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows tour. I'm closely connected to the motorcycle industry and an avid rider. When deciding to make a change I wanted to join a company that offered the best client solutions for the industry and the best emotional experience for consumers. Advanstar is a customer-focused company, with some of the leading brands in the market and a reputation for offering unrivalled marketing solutions."

Ausec holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of California, Irvine and currently resides in Corona, California with his wife Jamie and two daughters, Paige and Payton.