How To Run A Car Show - Event Organizers Guide To Car Shows

1. IntroductionIf this is the first car show event thatto predict how long it will take to complete every
you have coordinated, or you are a seasonedtask, and at some point something will not go as
promoter, the information contained here will beplanned. Be sure to have sufficient buffer time in
helpful to ensure that you do not overlook anythingyour schedules, and plan as early as possible.To
at your next show. Depending upon the type of carbetter organize your show, the required activities will
show there are a variety of things to consider. Carfall into three categories:
shows fall into many different categories dependingPre-show activities, Show Day activities, and After
upon the show promoter and theme. General carShow activities. These activities are completely
shows are open to any and all makes of cars as wellcovered in the Ebook.2.3 Marketing Plan - Getting The
as years making it a bit more challenging given theWord OutAs in real estate where they say location,
diversity of possible classes. Often at the openlocation, location, for a successful car show, one
shows there are many classes to help categorize theelement is marketing, marketing, marketing. As soon
vehicles. The classes may include; Antique,as you know what it is you are going to do, and
Unrestored, Modified, 1975 and Older Stock/Modified,have completed most of the items above, you need
Motorcycle, Modified Truck, etc. and the list goes on.to start your marketing campaign and getting the
The next common type of show is a manufacturerword out. Note that I said "completed MOST" of the
specific show, such as "All Chevrolets". Theseitems. This is one area where you will be doing many
targeted shows help to narrow the categorytasks in parallel. You want to start letting people
variables down a bit, and often have many classes asknow as early as possible that a show is coming,
well. It can still be difficult selecting a best in showhowever early on you do not need to provide every
between a 1955 Bel Air and a 2006 Corvette Z06. Tolast detail. You must have a Theme, a Date, and a
narrow the focus even more, regional clubs tend toLocation as a minimum. Once you have that, you
have shows based upon their membership, such asneed to start executing on your marketing plan. The
pre-1950 only, Model-T only, and even Mustangsfollowing is a general list of elements that should be
only.The guidelines that are presented here will givepart of your marketing plan.2.4 Attracting Show
you insight into what it takes to organize a show andVehiclesYou can have a great venue for a car show,
make it successful. Note that we will not discussbut in order to have a car show you need to attract
concours shows since they tend to be very strict onshow cars. Everyone attends car shows with the
how the vehicles are arranged, and what the ownersintent to have fun, and show off their pride and joy.
are allowed to display or not display. Concours judgingThere are many hours spent getting these cars to
is measuring a car based upon its original conditionthis level of perfection and these owners are not
when it rolled off the assembly line. Attention isalways out to win a trophy, but who are, a trophy is
focused on the use of exact correct parts, wiresa key attractionIn order to attract show cars, you
being routed the correct way, and down to theneed to understand what these enthusiasts are
correct finish on the bolts. For concours judging,looking for. The Ebook contains a list of why many
check out vehicle specific clubs such a "The Mustangenthusiasts bring their car to a show.5. and 6.
Club of America", and " Jaguar Clubs of NorthSpectator Rules and Show Car RulesThere are not
America" to name a few. A search on the Internetonly rules for the show cars, but also for the
will provide many others. The reason for these strictspectators. Many of them may be obvious to most
rules, such as not allowing any show boards orbut not all. Some show promoters have opted to
displays is that they want to ensure that the vehiclepost the rules around the show field or entrances.
is judged upon its own merits and not on any otherThere are a few general rules that that everyone at
influential actors. If you have read the other E-booksa show must follow that are outlined in the book.
that are part of this series, you will realize that showMany shows will hand a sheet like this out at the
boards, and other displays can definitely influence theshow car entrance. These rules can be modified to
judges.Whether your car show is a local cruse nightmeet your specific needs.The selections of text are
where a bunch of enthusiasts get together weekly,excerpts from the Ebook titled "How To Run A Car
or a special event it will quickly become obvious thatShow-
in order for it to be a success, attention to theEvent Organizers Guide To Car Shows" by Anthony
details and having it well organized is a requirement.PalmieriFor additional information on how to make an
These automotive enthusiasts will travel for miles tooutstanding display and have it stand out even more,
show off their vehicle and you need to attract themtake a look at the additional sections and the entire
to yours. From the classic hot rod, muscle car,E-BOOK at Palmieri founded Palmieri Concepts after
un-restored vintage vehicle, to even a new factory20 years of creating custom artwork for his own
stock car or motorcycle you want to attract thesepleasure and enjoyment. This business grew out of a
owners to your show. It is equally important thatlove for motor vehicles and was started to share
they have a good experience so their work ofwith others what began as a hobby. After taking his
mouth advertising helps future shows grow evenown pride and joys (yes this really started with
faster.What you may not realize initially as youfamily pictures and not cars) and combining them
attend a show is the many hours and often monthswith creativity, it became obvious that many others
organizing a show. Hopefully this guide will help youwould like to showcase their loves as he has done.In
understand what is required.2. Getting StartedAs withaddition to the custom artwork, he has also written
any major event, such as a car show being organizednumerous articles on automotive art and car shows
from the start with a plan is required. As with startingcovering topics from custom show boards, to
a business and having a business plan, for starting anautomotive theme garages. Links to some of these
event you need an event plan that will contain manyarticles can be found on web page. His goal was to
of the same elements, from a marketing plan, andcreate a business where each and every one of his
how you will grow for future shows. It is importantworks of art are custom done just for you with the
that this plan contain a time line of everything thatintention that it would be something that he would
must happen and when tasks will be completeddisplay on his own walls. Many of the custom pictures
including the selection of the dates to the cleaning upthat he has created can be seen displayed at his
of the show area at the end. It can be very difficulthouse.