Harley rally to bring boost for economy

September 4th, 2014

Rocky Mount is primed to hold one of its bigger events of the year on Friday.

For the first time ever, the city is part of the NC State Harley Owners Group Rally, which is the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle organization in the world with nearly a million members around the globe. The annual event for Harley-Davidson riders is a four-day weekend of planned activities along U.S. 64 dubbed “Door to Door on 64,” starting Wednesday in Murphy, continuing today in Statesville, then onto Rocky Mount and concluding Saturday in Manteo.

The Harley Owners Group Rally is expecting around 500 motorcyclists, but members are still eligible to register on-site at any of the four stops along the rally route. The Rocky Mount Harley-Davidson and Davenport Autopark spearheaded the charge to bring the Harley Owners Group Rally to Rocky Mount. The Friday rally will feature several events, including a stunt show and jump at Davenport by American daredevil Bubba Blackwell and capped off by a concert from country music legend Charlie Daniels.

“We are delighted to bring this event to Rocky Mount and know people will be engaged by the Southern charm of the area and are anticipating economic impact for area businesses,” said John Rudolph, principle of Rocky Mount Harley-Davidson.

Jimmy Lyles, Rocky Mount Harley-Davidson’s general manager, said the rally is going to draw much-needed positive attention and awareness to Rocky Mount. He said city officials have been extremely supportive in helping prepare for the event and local businesses have stepped up as sponsors. The rally should be a win-win for Rocky Mount and Harley-Davidson as the event is likely to draw Harley-Davidson members from across the nation.

“It has been great to see a lot of people in the community get behind this, and this helps with tourism,” Lyles said. “As far as our business, bikers that have never heard of Rocky Mount Harley-Davidson are going to know about us, and this is going to put on the map and help us long term.”

Nash County Executive Director of Travel and Tourism Alexandra Boncek said preliminary estimates of the economic impact of the 2014 NC State Harley Owners Group Rally are more than $1.1 million. Boncek explained the figure is fairly conservative and is derived from direct and indirect spending, but it does not include any impact from nonprofit groups that received donations as part of their partnerships with the event and Rocky Mount Harley-Davidson.

Boncek said the event is important economically for Rocky Mount because it is bringing visitors into the area who are staying in hotels, eating in restaurants and spending money in local stores.

“These visitors are producing an immediate infusion of new cash into our economy,” she said. “But let’s compound that. In addition to the direct cash that is being infused into the economy by visitors – there is a local cash and service exchange taking place to support the event. This event will require staging, tents, tables and chairs, food, drinks and more. All of that costs money. All of that requires sufficient staffing to produce. Even the smallest details will have an effect – a positive effect – on the local economy.”

The anticipation of a high volume of riders coming to the area will bring a much greater economic impact than a traditional visitor, said Boncek.

“Most notably, motorcyclists have more disposable income, which they are willing to spend at events like this,” she said.

With strong support from the community, events like the Harley Owners Group Rally could be a stepping stone for more things to come to Rocky Mount.

“If the community develops a reputation of constantly providing support, providing good customer service or just simply going above and beyond, new event producers may be willing to entertain the idea of coming to the area,” Boncek said. “It’s important that we always put our best foot forward when it comes to events, regardless of the type, because it will ultimately impact our ability to grow.”

In addition to the rally, another major event Rocky Mount will be hosting this month is the annual Down East Viking Football Classic. The classic will consist of several four-day activities capped off by the game between host Elizabeth City State University and Benedict College (S.C.). The classic has traditionally been a huge economic boost for the local economy drawing in a number of people to the area.

“Rocky Mount is competing and doing so successfully with larger markets,” Boncek said. “We’re bringing in a variety of events from reunions, weddings, sports tournaments and conferences. Rocky Mount is hungry for opportunity and the community as a whole is willing to roll out the red carpet to make it happen when we have an opportunity to grow.”