Best-selling author and acclaimed Harley-Davidson executive, Ken Schmidt, has been tapped to give the opening keynote address at the Keystone BIG Show, set for March 8-9 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas. Schmidt, in his role as Harley’s director of communications, shaped the company’s competitive positioning and serviced as its primary spokesperson to the media and financial communities. He’ll deliver the keynote on March 8, and the single-day trade show will open March 9.

“We are very pleased to be able to bring Mr. Schmidt to our event this year,” said Fred Petrivelli, vice president of sales for Keystone Automotive Operations. “His experience and insights about brand management, customer loyalty and selling will be something all our customers will benefit from. As we all fight to find new ways to stay competitive in the evolving retail landscape, Ken’s perspective will provide solid guidance for improving our success in the aftermarket.”

Schmidt has been associated with Harley-Davidson since 1985. His experience and success in helping rebuild the company’s brand played a vital role in the motorcycle legend’s turnaround from the brink of ruin to global dominance.

He is the author of the best-selling business book, Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance, which shares his easy-to-follow roadmap businesses can use to vastly improve their competitiveness. He also co-wrote, 100 years of Harley-Davidson, which is the best-selling motor sports book of all time.

“Having a speaker of Ken’s caliber kick off our event is very exciting,” Petrivelli said. “We think his address will be motivational, encourage new ways of thinking about business and put all of guest in the right frame of mind as they consider what they need to do to be successful in 2019.”

The Keystone BIG Show draws thousands of attendees from the U.S. and Canada, hosting more than 200 exhibiting companies, and nearly 100 show vehicles.