Thread: What do you look for in a Car Show?

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Make it an "OPEN" show. Don't limit entries. Even include motorcycles. Have good catagories based on entries. While I do enjoy going to classic shows, I also have a show a 2000 Vette. I like th eopen shows for your type events becasue there are alot of "teens" and that can be any age that like seeing exotics, speed cars, and bikes as well as classics. Be open and envite everyone. Besides, it should not matter what you drive, we all have a pssion for cars....period or we would not be doing shows.
All the other ideas are great also. Just my opinion though.

cars......

Originally Posted by rumrumm

I agree completely with Itoldyouso's comments. To add one thing, if you give out awards, I would encourage you to give "Best of the Bunch" plaques rather than 1st, 2nd, 3rd place trophies. It is a lot easier to cite outstanding cars when you do not have to hassle over placements. It makes the exhibitors happier as well.

Noted! I like that phrase! Was considering a "Top Ten" award as well! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

For a first time show, don't think you would want to limit the entries to pre-anything!!! There's so dang many shows now and it's hard enough to draw decent cars. To get a decent turnout it might be better not to turn away anyone that shows up! The show is for the public, not for the owners of the car's on display! Once a show has been on the schedule for a few years and shows a trend towards a certain type or era of cars maybe then you could start limiting entries? Seening as how it's a fund raiser, why turn down anyone's money????

point well taken

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I agree with the guys who suggested not limiting your show to any particular year cut off. While I'm not nuts about seeing a brand new car displayed at a show, it really doesn't hurt anything and will give you some additional revenue you might not have had.

One thing we found out when the club I was once with did car shows, a few people end up doing all the work and the rest just sit back and do nothing. Try to delegate as much as possible to others so you spread the workload. Have one person in charge of parking, one in charge of vendors, one in charge of registering the cars and taking the money, etc. You need to have one CEO of the entire event, and these underlings will need to report to that person and understand his decisions are final.

Finally, get a local radio station involved. Advertising something like this is key to getting turnout. Most local radio stations have PSA time available and like to be seen as community oriented. So approach the GM at that station and see how they can help get the word out. They might even want to do a drop or remote broadcast from the event. Radio stations like exposure, so let them set up their remote truck there and broadcast during the show. Maybe make them the sponsor of one of the contests or one of the class trophies. Same with local businesses, have Joes Ice Cream Shop be the sponsor of one trophy and let Joe pick the car he likes the best. For that, Joe will kick in some freebies to help the cause.

Don

I'm taking notes! Keep the suggestions coming! Thanks all!

A raffle if you can get prizes donated or a 50-50 drawing if not, is an easy way to make some money, and you can put the band kids to work selling tickets. And make the tickets easy to buy. One for a buck, and arm length for 5, two arms for 10 and car length for $20. Rolls of raffle tickets are cheap and it's amazing how many guys will whip out an Andrew Jackson if they can get tickets the length of the longest car in the lot. Have more than one prize in the 50-50

Whenever you start, expect some folks to show up early. Ask people not to ride skateboards or bikes on the show field, and no dogs. Chain leashes can scratch and I have seen one lift his leg on a tire.

Good luck, keep notes for next year

Pat

The weird old cars/trucks/vans that nobody would have thought of turning into a hot rod but somebody did.

Blown Camaros