How do you host a car show?

[KYMP5]

Alright guys, im hosting a carshow in Lexington in may and have started the planning stages but ive never hosted a show myself and need your help.
Can you all help me compile a list of stuff needed to de done for the show? I also need to know what type of corporate sponsorship levels i should offer so i can get some money for the show. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The show is going to be the 1st annual Lexistreets.com car show and im doing a lot of the promotion for it throught Lexistreets.com which is a forum i started to get the lexington street scene together. Its been online for almost 5 months now and i have 250 members. I figure a car show would be great for a town lacking good shows and i believe that i can bring it one. I just need to know what all is involved or if you all can list some stuff i havent thought of.

BTW, this would be a great opportunity for a meet.

 

[txrxs]

i dont know much about setting them up, but i'll be down for the show in may.

 

[KYMP5]

cool, it would be great to see some mazda peeps there

 

[KYMP5]

bump cause i dont know what im doing and i need help

 

[boostisgood]

PM me your # I can help.

 

[torque222]

one of the most important things to do first is find a location and make sure it is able to support a large crowd. we advertised for a show here expecting only locals and it turned into a import bash with over 225 entries. and food is a must, just call a hot dog & hamburger vendor. you can also try to call some reps for aftermarket products and see if they would like to set up a booth. and you will need some event staff, running it solo would be difficult, and the judges you choose make sure they are qualified so there is no argument on the scores. and you don't want a judge who will give his buddie a unbeatable score (you know what i mean) my freind is a judge so i win...wrong, that will only cause problems. better yet try to attend a nice show and ask alot of questions to the show host.advice from someone in the bussiness is your best option right now. good luck to you and keep us posted...i'll drive out from new orleans.

 

[atticus1398]

Come up to Cincy on Friday for Cavalcade of Customs at the firstar center.
Its huge. Then come May, theres a few Cincy mazda peeps that would probably come down. I will for sure.

 

[KYMP5]

what time does it start? Do you know any of the hosts so i can talk to them?

Thanks for all your help so far guys

 

[atticus1398]

It lasts all weekend I think. Its autorama.

 

[Velocifero]

have something to do. Import Atlanta does a small show that is getting better, they get the NHRA Drag strip for there location, the show is mediocre but it is good to be able to run the quarter mile if you are curious about your time and they have some prizes from sponsors for different things like fastest 1/4 and best reaction time, etc. Food is a must and sponsors or large companies help draw people in, see if a car dealer wants to display any new cars, dodge did a big line with their SRT-4 and 10 at the show i mentioned, then they did a big drag show with mopar and their super fast neon dragster. bikini shows are good but might be getting old. some shows are doing like jello wrestling and stuff. trying to come with something new. Team ECI has a show this weekend that is on the up and rising, it is called the East Coast Extreme Showdown, in Jacksonville, Fla. Hit them up on line, teameci.com, and see if you can get some contact info, i have a buddy that is friends with them, so i'll ask him about contacts too, also check importatlanta.com, their show isn't half bad considering Hot Import Nights was the next month and then Nopi Nationals was just behind that. I'll try to get some more info after work today.

 

[mp5smuggler]

location location location
location is the biggest thing, find a place that can hold like 400 cars can supply BATHROOMS or porta pots. FOOD FOOD FOOD.... get a few roach coachs they go toconstruction zones and normally have some decent food at not too expensive prices. plus you can pay them a small fee and they will be happy with a place to work on a weekend as most jobsites are mon thru fri deals.
get a group of people together to be event staff. they can be friends or members of your club BUT if they are in the club that is holding the event their cars can NOT be judged!!! they can show off but not judged!!! nothing like going to a show hosted be a club and then thier cars are the ones winning.
have some form of entertainment. be it a dj a local band or 2 a local step club or something. set them up in a corner or somewhere and let them do thier thing.
also if you have a large amount of hydro cars or a club of that nature talk to them about doing a mini hop off type thing.
you must have a small stage or tent set up to be the main event center as well. this is where youll keep the records and trophies. also have a pa system or the very least a bull horn AND someone who is comfortable speaking in public to use it.
contact autometer and through the website you can get (for free) window stickers to put in the cars that are showing. free is always nice and they look good too.
promote the show through every means you have. the boards. local shops. local clubs. local radio stations. local dealers. dont forget to post flyers in Highschools and anywhere the local kids hang out.
try and get the local dealers to come and show off a few of the new cars they have in the showroom. get the local paint shops that have the rep for doing the best work to join ya. have them sponsor the best paint trophy and give some money towrds the even and to hopefully send a few of their hottest examples down too.
dont try to limit yourself on your first show to just imports reach out to any of the classic car clubs. these guys/gals spend tons of money restoring their cars and ache for any excuse to show them off as well. invite everyone. remember that a trophie is like 20 bucks but getting 20 guys from any club at 15 bucks a head is going to cover other costs.
best in show best in class best paint cleanest ride are some of the most comon awards to have.

 

[Super Matty P]

I'm putting on a large meet/show right now. You should come down to B'ham in Feb to see it and get some ideas...maybe we can help each other out.

 

[KYMP5]

give me the details and ill see if i cant roll down to it.

thanks to all for their input

 

[FunkyBuddha]

Do a Show N Shine instead. Something free, and cheap to set up. Pretty much a big meet. Do it in front of a nightclub. Friday or Saturday night. Have the nightclub clear parking space for you. Get some flyers/invites out. Also have the nightclub give out some packages..such as drink tickets, no cover for participants, tickets to an upcoming show at their club etc etc. Also get a host of judges, judge the entrant's cars and give out a prize for Best Overall. Like something for 200 bux at your store or something. I say do the nightclub thing. It'll get a lot of attention..and everyone will have fun. Speaking from attenting numerous show n shines at night clubs. LOL

 

[Super Matty P]

^^^----thats what I'm doing.

kymp5, it's 2-4,5,6-05 at Oak mountain State Park in Pelham, AL. you can find more info in the s.e. section under alabama.

 

[KYMP5]

i think ive scored a portable dyno for the show....hopefully that will bring some people in and keep some spectators round it