Hey Gang! This one picture tells a lot about the awesome event Biker Fusion that our hardworking owners, George and Kyle Marakas, were proud to support! The feel-good moments, just kept coming as the dollars were raised for those who have put it on the line for us, our amazing U.S. Soldiers and their families.
Event promoters Carrie Repp of R&R Promotions and Ken Conte of Rise Above Consulting are pleased to announce the success of their “Biker Fusion” fundraiser, held for the fifth time last week as part of Daytona Bike Week festivities. This year’s event had a great showing from the motorcycle industry and supporters, attracting more than 600 guests and raising more than $16,000 for Soldiers’ Angels, a volunteer-led non-profit that provides aid and comfort to active servicemen and women of the U.S. military as well as veterans and their families.
Funds contributed last week bring the total raised during the event’s five-year run to more than $75,000. Conte and Repp expressed gratitude to the event venue, the Doghouse Bar and Grill on Main Street in Daytona, as well as the long list of event sponsors.
“The support we’ve gotten from individuals and the industry as a whole has been amazing,” said Ken Conte, event organizer and owner of Rise Above Consulting. “To be able to bring industry notables, leading companies, and regular riders together in this way, to benefit a great cause, is very gratifying.”
“Once again, the way the community and the industry rally together to benefit those who’ve served our country is just awesome,” said Carrie Repp, event organizer and owner of R&R Promotions. “Our hosts, Dave Perewitz, Paul Yaffe and Steve Broyles did a great job, and we are so honored to have so many people come out to help veterans, those actively serving, and their families.”
Highlights included an appearance by Victory Motorcycles special guest Sergeant Major Harold G. Overstreet, USMC retired, the 12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (1991-1995), as well as a live auction of a variety of products from sponsors and supporters.
Fusion supporters also witnessed the unveiling of a custom Victory Motorcycles ride designed for legendary Marine and Drill Instructor R. Lee Ermey, a.k.a. “The Gunny.” Gunny’s new ride was custom designed and painted by the Victory Industrial Design staff. Polaris Motorcycles built this bike for him to ride in Daytona and at future military support rides.
(PICTURED L to R) 12th Sergeant Major Harold G. Overstreet, Victory Spokesperson Amy Locicero, Victory Motorcycles’ Directo ro Marketing Rod Krois, The Gunny R. Lee Ermey and VP of Motorcycles, Steve Menneto
Biker Fusion has quickly become an industry staple and event organizers hope to continue raising funds for our troops for many years to come. Event sponsors for the 5th Annual Biker Fusion Party include: The Doghouse Bar and Grill;Kandgcycles.com; Spectro Oil; Rise Above Consulting; R&R Promotions; Hot Leathers; Ride Wright Wheels; San Diego Harley-Davidson; Panama City Beach Motorcycle Week; Precision Billet and Victory Motorcycles. An auction and raffle items featured products from Ace Café North America; Choppers Inc.; Danny Gray Seats; Michael Lichter Photography;Hardcore Watch Company by Steve Soffa; Covingtons Customs; Wolfgang Publishing; Arlen Ness; Buck Lovell Photography; Paul Yaffe; Stevenson’s Cycle; Deadwood Tobacco; Fab Kevin Steel Chopper Parts; Indian Larry Motorcycles;Fred Kodlin; David Uhl; Sara Liberte.
Cover Picture by Michael Lichter
About Biker Fusion
Carrie Repp of R&R Promotions started The Bikers Ball and produced it for 10 years, raising more than $1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs with the support of the motorcycling community. She moved on to producing the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse, and saw an opportunity to continue the tradition of an industry event for a good cause during Daytona Bike Week to benefit Soldiers’ Angels. Repp saw firsthand the great public relations work Ken Conte was doing for the Roadhouse, and asked him to join forces to create Biker Fusion. “Fusion” came from how Repp, Conte and many others fused their energy, effort and monies for a worthwhile cause. With the Roadhouse on hiatus this year, Repp is working to on new opportunities. She and Conte wanted to continue Biker Fusion together, and teamed up to continue raising money for our troops and providing an opportunity for their friends and associates to come together each year in Daytona Beach Bike Week. As a team, they are proud that the event has raised so much money for U.S. troops, and they are thankful for the amazing support they’ve gotten over their five years of collaborating on the best industry event of Daytona Beach Bike Week.
About Rise Above Consulting:
Rise Above Consulting is a full service, public relations and marketing agency focused on the American V-Twin motorcycle industry. We work hard to ensure that your company get’s in the news and that we will impact your bottom line by giving you top line exposure through targeted media relations, brand building and event coordination.
About R&R Promotions:
R&R Promotions is a multi-faceted “live marketing” special events and promotions company with experience in nearly every area of event development, promotion and production. Reliable and personable, Carrie Repp is a strategic, behind-the-scenes planner focused on results. R&R’s approach is visionary yet realistic whether it be a corporate sponsored event, motorcycle rally, high-end private affair, successful fund-raiser, or a national promotion.
