Gold Wing tradeshow comes back to Fort Wayne

Motorcyclist and local businesses are revving up for the 34^th annual wing ding convention.  It's the world's largest Gold Wing tradeshow and its coming to Fort Wayne. 

Bob Caldwell and his wife Deb have been riding a Gold Wing over 20 years.  Honda's been making the Gold Wing touring bike for more than 30 years. The Gold Wing became a popular model in North America, Europe, and Australia shortly after. The international convention is making its way back to Fort Wayne for the third time since 2002. Organizers say "Hoosier hospitality wooed them back to the Summit City."

"Fort Wayne is a good venue because of the Coliseum, it's an easy town to get around in and it's very accommodating," said Bob Caldwell, the Assistant District Director.

Deb Caldwell also added, "I really love going, you see a lot of people that you've known for years and sometimes it's the only time you get to see them."  

The Gold Wing Road Riders says back in 02, members and guests broke an all-time attendance record, drawing nearly 14,000 people. Over 200 vendors are expected to pack the Coliseum. Local restaurants are already sporting "Welcome Wing Dingers" signs in anticipation for the crowds.

Event goers are expected to pump over five million dollars into the local economy.

According to John Felts, of Visit Fort Wayne, "They like to go out and spend their money on fast food restaurants along Coliseum and for Fort Wayne this will be a great impact for our city and they love ice cream is what I heard."

This year's convention is themed "Fun in the Fort." Attendees say they expect the event to live up to its name.

Wing Ding runs the 4th through the 7^th.