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Chapter catch-up
H.O.T. training breaks all records
This year’s training session for H.O.G.
Chapter Officers – traditionally known
as P.O.T. (Primary Officer Training) –
was a record-breaker in all respects.
Firstly, a new name – H.O.T. (H.O.G.
Officer Training) reflected a new
broader emphasis on providing tools
and skills to all Chapter Officers
involved in running one of the 450
H.O.G. chapters across Europe,
Middle East and Africa, with practical
courses including Dealing with
Interesting People; Constructive
Conflict; Effective Communication;
Risk Management; Dealer/Chapter
Relations; and many more.
Secondly, for the first time ever,
participants from Europe, Middle East
and Africa were given the opportunity
to learn and teach alongside their
American counterparts at the spiritual
home of H.O.G. in Milwaukee. More
than 450 Chapter Officers snapped
up the opportunity in record time to
share ideas and knowledge with their
US colleagues in a trip that included
two days of H.O.T. training as well as
a tailor-made trip to the Harley-
Davidson Pilgrim Road production
facility; the Harley-Davidson Museum;
and a visit to one of Milwaukee’s
biggest Harley dealerships, House of
Harley – complete with discount for
the overseas visitors.
More than 1,200 Chapter Officers
in total participated in the H.O.T.
session, with H.O.G. members
from 23 countries including many
European nations as well as Saudi
Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt and many
more making for a unique opportunity
for sharing ideas, best practice and,
just as importantly, networking for the
future. And with more than 50 per cent
of those attending being there for the
first time, the H.O.G. legacy is being
passed on to new hands and secured
for the future.
The mix of nationalities brought
a new dynamic to the sessions that
everyone present agreed made for the
best training session H.O.G. has ever
put on – as well as a fantastic party
on the final night. The importance of
H.O.G. to the Motor Company was
underlined by the roster of VIPs in
attendance as well as the world-class
instructors presenting the courses
and overseeing idea exchanges and
brainstorming sessions. Motor
Company CEO Keith Wandell, Chief
Marketing Officer Mark-Hans Richer
and Rob Lindley, Vice President for
Europe, Middle East and Africa all
emphasised the Company’s longterm
commitment to H.O.G. and
its goals and principles.
If you weren’t there you can see
some of the highlights – from the
training sessions and from the party
too – on the H.O.T. gallery of
www.hogeuropegallery.com. Watch
this space for news of next year’s
H.O.T. session – who knows, maybe
our US colleagues will be joining us in
Europe, Middle East or Africa to show
them how we do things on this side
of the Atlantic!
Alba Chapter, Italy
The Alba Chapter is making a comeback in 2010,
with a totally new look.
After seven years, Alba and the province of Cuneo
needed a new lease of life, and new beginnings have
come about thanks to the determination shown by
the Chapter’s founder members Bruno, Massimo,
Mauro and Gianni. Faces old and new are reunited,
but all with the same ambition: to become a
reference point for lovers of Harley all over the world,
together with the ongoing support of Gigi and
Daniele from the Official Harley-Davidson dealer in
Alba. The Chapter’s comeback has been eagerly
awaited by old and new friends alike.
The Chapter’s opening ceremony was held in
March, combined with an Open Day and a big party
that began in the afternoon and ran late into the
night. 2010 will be marked by a whole series of
events. The most important of these is held on July
10-11: the ‘Lunghe Langhe Run 3’, which will see a
huge number of Harley fans getting involved, going
on enchanting journeys through the Langhe hills,
with wine, truffles, local dishes and little villages all
scattered along the way.
The Alba Chapter’s sole purpose is to have fun
and entertain, travel and broaden the mind, all in
keeping with the Harley philosophy: friendship and
respect.
The Chapter’s headquarters can be found at the
‘De Kip’ brewery/brasserie – www.dekip.eu – in
‘Castiglione Falletto’.
To find out more about the Chapter and its leaders,
as well of all of its events and programmes, please
visit our new website: www.albachapter.com
Paola Giovannini
HOG ® summer 2010 7