SUPPORT THE GUYS WHO SUPPORT US
My name is Fredric Harrell. I’m a founding member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. After
a long hiatus, in 2017 I returned to the MRF Board of Directors as Director of Conferences and
Events. Like my fellow board members, I serve without compensation. I serve for one reason and one
reason alone: I believe in the MRF’s mission to promote, protect and preserve motorcycling.
Over the years, the MRF has made marginally successful attempts to acquire sponsors for the MRF’s
premier event – the annual Meeting of the Minds Conference. Typically, that introduction and
solicitation begins with what the MRF has done.
After many discussions with motorcycle industry
leaders, I believe that approach does little to assure potential sponsors of our intent. Here’s what your
sponsorship of the MRF’s annual Meeting of the Minds Conference will not get you…
ü Interaction with motorcyclists rights advocates and influence centers and a network of over
250,000 motorcyclists;
ü Display space at the event location (Crown Plaza Aire Hotel, Minneapolis, MN., Sept. 19-22,
2019);
ü Ad space in the event program;
ü Admission to all workshops;
ü Admission to the event banquet;
ü One-year subscription to the American Bikers Journal.
The Meeting of the Minds was the precursor and catalyst for the Motorcycle Riders
Foundation. Founded in 1989, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation recognized the need for full-time
representation in Washington, D.C., and on a shoestring budget, established an office in Washington with
a one-person staff and a full-time lobbyist.
In 30 years, the MRF has not strayed from the original commitments to motorcyclists’ rights. It has
not been easy. In retrospect, the issues facing the motorcycling community today are equally as important
as those of the early days.
In September 2018, the MRF outlined a list of legislative priorities, and accomplishable goals, for the
upcoming session of Congress and beyond — 2019 Legislative & Regulatory Priorities – available online
at www.MRF.org. These legislative priorities touch every aspect of motorcycling from the Road to Zero
(a noble goal of zero highway fatalities that does not include motorcycles in the matrix of highway users);
to autonomous vehicles with no motorcycle recognition algorithms, to the year-round sale of E15 and the
adverse effect it has on motorcycle engines.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of MRF members, the contributions of
motorcycle industry leaders and enthusiasts, and the training and motivation that motorcyclists’ rights
advocates receive each year at the MRF’s annual Meeting of the Minds.
Do not hesitate to inquire deeper into what
the MRF is doing to promote, protect and preserve motorcycling and motorcyclists rights.
With few exceptions, the attacks against motorcycling are subtle and they go a lot deeper than helmet
laws, blacklists of sport bikes or banning motorcycles from HOV lanes. For 30 years, the presence of the
Motorcycle Riders Foundation is witnessed daily in the committee rooms, staff offices on Capitol Hill
and in front of members of Congress. That presence exists and is successful because of the dedication
and determination of MRF members standing behind that commitment to promote, protect and preserve
the freedoms that we all enjoy, especially as motorcyclists.
As I stated at the start of this letter, I serve on the MRF’s board of directors because I believe in the
work of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.
Thank you, and thank you in advance for your sponsorship of the Meeting of the Minds Conference.
Sincerely,
–Fredric Harrell
Director of Conferences & Events
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
P.S. If you need more information or would like to discuss the MRF and the Meeting of the Minds
Conference in greater detail, please let me know a convenient time to call you. Thank you very much.
P.P.S. If times are tough and sponsorship support of the Meeting of the Minds Conference is not possible, please consider
joining the MRF. Thank you.
