What makes a good car show?

[dahows]

Oregon CCA chapter hosts Motorfest in August, we had our 4th event (we're still a young club) this year. It's structured like this:

• A drive of some local twisties in the morning for those that wish to participate
• Held at a local brewery from noon-5ish
• Live band
• Featured car - separate, grouped parking for the featured cars
• Raffle of donated items from bmw dealer, independent shops, t-shirts from the club
• People's choice awards for vintage, classic, modern
• Best in show award
• Best featured car award
• Mostly it's walking around, talking cars

We've been growing each year, had just over 100 cars this year.

So my questions -
What is the best car show/event that you've been to?
What made it great?
What would you like to see/do/participate in at an event like this?
Is there a single thing that you experienced at an event that was a real draw for you?

We'd like to continue growing this and pulling in more people/cars. I'd like to make this more than a day event, maybe having an autocross on Sunday, a meet-n-greet on Friday night.

What kind of event/activities would make you want drive in for the weekend?

Just looking for input, your experiences. Let me know what you guys think?

[illest318i]

Hmm?.. I would say bring some models, that's what makes it come more to life ;D. I've been to HIN and I believe the only reason that cracked was because of the models shaking there asses on stage. Also the sponsors, try to get some sponsors for the events.

[JasonC]

I've been going to car shows since I was a little kid, granted they are all for domestics. But looks like you covered all bases. And sounds like one I'd like to attend! I will say, keep it a family environment.




For your questions...
What is the best car show/event that you've been to?
There was a local cruise at a local diner called Chat n Chew. They don't have it anymore due to morons (ricers) pretty much drag racing and flying up and down the street.

What made it great?
The burnouts and launches in the street!

What would you like to see/do/participate in at an event like this?
For your event, I wouldn't change a thing. Cause i'm sure the euro shows are a little more different atmosphere then a domestic one.

Is there a single thing that you experienced at an event that was a real draw for you?
Quality of the cars.

We'd like to continue growing this and pulling in more people/cars. I'd like to make this more than a day event, maybe having an autocross on Sunday, a meet-n-greet on Friday night.

What kind of event/activities would make you want drive in for the weekend?
If it is going to be more then a day thing, i'd offer food at the event also.

Just looking for input, your experiences. Let me know what you guys think?
I know the burnouts and launches would not apply to your event, but you asked :)

[blunttech]

I go to a lot of shows for work. The ones I enjoy the most focus on people not cars. We are all car guys so thats a given. I dont even like awards.
Events like "At the Vintage" give very few awards and focus on the gathering, Getting to know people etc.

[einhander]

Free champagne and cocaine.

And lots of different types of cars - have you ever been to an all E30 show? They are boring as hell.

People are key.

[e30austin]

I go to a lot of shows for work. The ones I enjoy the most focus on people not cars. We are all car guys so thats a given. I dont even like awards.
Events like "At the Vintage" give very few awards and focus on the gathering, Getting to know people etc.

Well said, sir.

David, for what it's worth, Motorfest is probably my favorite local show of the year. I'm not quite so interested in the newer models, but it is nice that they show up. I really liked the increased presence of the '02 and E3/E9 crowd, and not to mention the E30s. I like how the awards are set up. I also really really liked the location this year. The food was good, too, albeit a little expensive. I think a burnout/best sounding exhaust contest/drag race would be awesome, but I know that wouldn't go over so well.

I think the only thing that event needs is more publicity. Get your name out there a little more. I didn't even know about it 2009/2010 because there wasn't much advertising.

Oh, and I fully support a 3 day event :up: maybe next year, I'll have a car that isn't a complete piece of shit to show.

[AndrewBird]

I go to a lot of shows for work. The ones I enjoy the most focus on people not cars. We are all car guys so thats a given. I dont even like awards.
Events like "At the Vintage" give very few awards and focus on the gathering, Getting to know people etc.

Perfectly said. The only difference between looking at pictures of cars online and going to a show is the people.

I could care less about awards, and frankly, an bored during all the announcing. I find myself thinking, "Are they going to wrap it up soon, or what?"

Which I guess gives you a suggestion, keep things short and sweet.

[Stanley Rockafella]

I go to a lot of shows for work. The ones I enjoy the most focus on people not cars. We are all car guys so thats a given. I dont even like awards.
Events like "At the Vintage" give very few awards and focus on the gathering, Getting to know people etc.

+1....Couldn't have said it better myself....exactly what I was thinking...nail meet hammer....

(am I doing this right?)

[dougie30]

People like seeing other people do huge burnouts, drifts and destroying their cars.

A few of my friend went to dubs in the shrubs and this guys mk4 jetta was gonna get repod so he let everyone destroy it and skate on it and gave parts away for free. It was awesome.

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[dahows]

Thanks for the input guys...

Hmm?.. I would say bring some models, that's what makes it come more to life ;D. I've been to HIN and I believe the only reason that cracked was because of the models shaking there asses on stage. Also the sponsors, try to get some sponsors for the events.

We need to keep this family friendly so I'm not too sure about models but regarding sponsors, we do have sponsors. Some sponsors attend like our local Griot's dealer, a wheel repair shop, a driving school; most sponsors just provide goods or gift certificates which we raffle off. Participants are given a ticket or two with registration and can buy additional tickets.

If it is going to be more then a day thing, i'd offer food at the event also.

What made it great?
The burnouts and launches in the street!

Food and drinks are available from the brewery hosting the event.

We host this in an industrial area and need to respect our hosts and the surrounding businesses...burnouts and launches sounds fun but we'd probably be looking for a new place to host this each year.

I go to a lot of shows for work. The ones I enjoy the most focus on people not cars. We are all car guys so thats a given. I dont even like awards.
Events like "At the Vintage" give very few awards and focus on the gathering, Getting to know people etc.

I'll look more into this event "at the vintage". We use the people's choice award as a way to get people out and looking at all the cars/meeting people they may not have met before, etc.

And lots of different types of cars - have you ever been to an all E30 show? They are boring as hell.

Not sure I entirely agree with that, the e30 picnic has been entertaining but as we're a CCA club we do get a good collection of cars from vintage to current models.

Motorfest is probably my favorite local show of the year. I'm not quite so interested in the newer models, but it is nice that they show up. I really liked the increased presence of the '02 and E3/E9 crowd, and not to mention the E30s. I like how the awards are set up. I also really really liked the location this year. The food was good, too, albeit a little expensive. I think a burnout/best sounding exhaust contest/drag race would be awesome, but I know that wouldn't go over so well.

I think the only thing that event needs is more publicity. Get your name out there a little more. I didn't even know about it 2009/2010 because there wasn't much advertising.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it Austin. We've been trying to grow the vintage presence through our vintage SIG. There are some great examples of 02s and e9s in our club but we'd like to pull more participation from Puget Sound and non-cca members.
I agree that we need to get the word out earlier and do a better job of promoting it.

[markseven]

Organization. The event should run on schedule, should be appropriately staffed, and have an adequate number of restrooms (and hand washing stations?). The ladies restrooms should be checked regularly for cleanliness.

My experience with the CCA is some people get snooty. I would have a serious discussion with staff and stakeholders advising them of the goals and desired outcomes of the show at a 'people' level. Make sure that staff who will interact with guests are indeed suited for a customer service role.

Deliver on your promises.