Q&A: Event Manager Tigra Tsujikawa

The 2009 AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference won't just happen on its own. A number of dedicated women (and a few men) will put in many hard hours to make the conference a reality. One woman who's booking a fair share of those hours is Tigra Tsujikawa.

Tigra is the AMA Special Events Manager. It's her job to organize, prioritize and publicize the conference. She does everything from securing speakers to selling sponsorships to making sure the location -- the Keystone Resort & Conference Center in Keystone, Colo. -- will be ready for legions of women riders Aug. 19-22, 2009.

We caught up with Tigra to find out a bit more about this year's conference, and get some insights into what else she's working on for the event.
 
Q: First, how about a little background? Are you a motorcyclist? How did you get started?

I started riding with a boyfriend on the street 20-plus years ago. When I first began riding, it also involved learning skills from other friends, classes, commuting and medium-range solo trips. In the last six years I have fallen in love with off-road and dual sport riding. I also race hare & hounds and desert scrambles when I have the chance. Right now, I have a modified KLX300 and KX250F. I'm trying to decide what street bike to buy, but there are so many good choices!

Like most AMA members, the designation "motorcyclist" means much more then someone who rides a bike. It means that motorcycling is my passion and lifestyle, and has transformed my way of thinking and living. So, I'm a motorcyclist first and foremost.

Q: What attracted you to working on the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference?

What is most attractive about the conference is the opportunity to work with and meet other women riders. It is the best place to learn, inspire and be inspired by a diverse group of people, from all over the U.S. and beyond.

I really like this event because it has such a great sense of sharing and positive energy. When you come to this gathering you know you will get more out of it than you expected, and it is not just about the two wheels that brought you there.

Q: What are the major differences for the conference this year vs. those in the past?

This year, we are focusing in on what we're calling "the next step." This means no matter what skill level you are at, or what style of riding that you do, you will be able to find information, skills and other women who will be able to help you improve your riding or try another style.

Another major difference is that we are trying to make this conference as accessible as possible -- and, at the same time, make the conference appeal to more experienced riders. We want to give our attendees an ability to experience a wider range of riding styles and products and really build on the foundation of past conferences.
   
Q: So, is the resort a cool place? What kind of facility is it?

Keystone is a very cool resort. It is in the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains and is a ski resort in the winter months. What makes this the perfect place for our event is the community-themed accommodations, fine convention center and fun destinations within the resort.

When you call Keystone for accommodations, you have the option to stay in condos. This means you can stay with friends and have a place to relax, plan your activities and really just be able to get to know each other.

Q: How's the riding around Keystone?

The riding around Keystone is incredible! The mountain scenery is second to none with varying levels of roads to choose from.

We are working with the Women's Motorcycle Foundation to develop some fantastic tours, and the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition to put together some dual-sport riding opportunities.

Q: Is the schedule for the conference planned out yet? Can you give us a timeline for the weekend?

We’ll get started with early registration on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Attendees can register every morning as well. Wednesday through Saturday will feature demo rides, a vendor marketplace, riding seminars and outdoor activities. Each day will also have special evening activities: an opening party on Wednesday, a barn dance on Thursday, a street party on Friday and closing ceremonies on Saturday.

A more detailed schedule will be available on our website soon.

Q: What are some of the highlights on the schedule?

We have some great seminars for the conference. They cover a variety of topics such as skill building, safety, and health, and panels for riders to share their experiences and tales from the road. We also have speakers from the powersports industry, adventurers, experts and competitors. The goal is to present a strong base of information and experience for us all to learn from, regardless of our experience levels.

The demo rides will offer attendees a chance to ride bikes from many of the manufacturers, and they can talk with factory reps to find the right bike. The vendor marketplace will have everything from gear and apparel to aftermarket parts to customize your motorcycle.

Our special evening activities will be fun and exciting opportunities to socialize and talk about what you did that day, enjoy the entertainment, the food and each other's company.

Q: Personally, what are you looking forward to?

Most of all, I'm looking forward to interacting with other riders and finding out their point of views and hearing some good riding stories.

Q: It seems the number of women riders keeps increasing. Why is that?

It is so encouraging to see more women on the road, trails and tracks. Over the years, many women have been exposed to motorcycling and to other women who ride. There are good schools and classes about riding where you can feel comfortable learning skills and gaining confidence. Women are researchers and smart consumers and there are more products out there that fit our height, size, style and type of riding.

So the exposure, inspiration, education and products that fit -- all of these have helped increase the number of women riders.

Q: How do you think those factors -- more women riders and their passion for riding -- will help conference attendance this year?

I think a woman who is passionate about motorcycling is compelled to want to learn more, do more and share more. Being in Colorado, the conference is a very cool destination ride, and we'll have all of these opportunities in a great setting like Keystone. I believe that these factors will increase attendance.

Q: That said, the conference isn't just for women riders, right? Do you expect many men? Will the guys feel out of their element here?

The conference will focus on women riders, but it definitely will not exclude men. After all, a main support person for the woman rider may be a man. It's important that they have a chance to maintain that connection while building new ones.

Men are also welcome to register for the conference, and as registrants they can take part in demo rides, seminars, activities and see new products on the market. It's equal-opportunity learning and a man shouldn't feel out of place if he is a rider or with a female rider. There will be plenty of interesting things to do for everyone interested in motorcycling.

Q: Who else is involved in helping pull the conference together? What are there responsibilities?

I work with an advisory council made up of 10 very cool women. All of them are riders and offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. They are Myrrh Davis, Barb Grueschow, Brenda Hickling-Thatcher, Jean Mishler, Sarah Schilke, Genevieve Schmitt, Alice Sexton, Sue Slate, Bonnie Strawser and Betty Uhlman.

At the AMA, our Vice President of Operations, Jeff Massey, is providing lots of support, while Tracey Powell and Joey Funtjar are helping with registrations and sponsorship duties. Of course, this conference is very important to the AMA as a whole, and the entire organization is behind us on this.

We are also very fortunate to work with Peggy Utphall from Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Harley-Davidson and Buell are the 2009 presenting sponsors of the conference.

Q: Do attendees have to be AMA members?

No, anyone is welcome at the conference. However, AMA members will receive a number of additional benefits and amenities that will make joining the AMA well worth the cost of membership. More information about becoming an AMA member can be found at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Q: What's the best way for people to keep up to date on conference plans?

The best way to keep up on the conference is to keep an eye on our website, www.womenandmotorcycling.com for registration and updates. You can also sign up for email alerts by sending us your name and e-mail at info@womenandmotorcycling.com. Also, check on www.womenridersnow.com, where there will be a contact board to help you can get in touch with others to plan your ride to Keystone, as well as gather insider tips and information.