Non-Profit Organization Formed To Oversee Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Intellectual Property

Left to Right: Rosemary Roth, Tom Monahan, San Monahan, Marcia Johnston, JD Williams, ason Sneed, Travis Bartels, Michele Loobey-Gertsch, John E. Johnson, Karen Simmons, Eric Fowler, Dean Kinney, Kelley Dardis, David Boone, Jerry Berkowitz, Clint Brengle, Jim Burgess, Dean McNenny, Fred Lange, Scott Reiman, Jason Hafner, Sheryl Eisenbraun, Robin Baldwin, John Teigen

Left to Right: Rosemary Roth, Tom Monahan, San Monahan, Marcia Johnston, JD Williams, aso

Sturgis, South Dakota - July 1, 2010 - The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the most significant motorcycle event brand and two-wheel gathering in the world. Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Inc., a non-profit organization, has been formed to watch over the intellectual property of this respected and important brand.

The board is comprised of community leaders and motorcycle industry professionals including Jerry Berkowitz, Jim Burgess, John Detrick, John Johnson, Susan Johnson, Dean Kinney, Karen Simmons, and Rod Woodruff. The creation of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Inc. allows the key intellectual property of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to be consolidated for direction by a singular accomplished and committed board.

Board Vice-Chairman Jim Burgess commented “this event is important not just only to South Dakota, but to the entire motorcycling world. Our goal is to watch over this intellectual property for the good of the Sturgis community and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.”

Michele Loobey-Gertsch, Executive Director of the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of the Board of Directors, said “managing this important asset has been challenging for the Chamber of Commerce because we have so many traditional chamber-oriented responsibilities here in the Sturgis community. We are excited to see this new board with such expertise and energy tasked with caring for these important trademark properties.”