Car Show

[rob2009]

Hey everyone. I have spent a lot of time working on my online businesses. But I have started to branch out into real-world business as well.

I have just started my own custom auto audio business. We make custom boxes, do installations, sell equipment, etc.

Well Hot Import Nights (a MAJOR car event) is coming to St. Pete, FL (about half an hour away) in almost exactly a month, april 25th.

So I am scrambling to get flyers, business cards, shirts, etc. made for it.

So I have a few questions for yall.

1st- Is there anyone on here that does custom shirts? I need them to be relatively inexpensive but not cafe-press's poor quality.

2nd- I will be planning a car show in my own town within the next month or so, soon after Hot Import Nights, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience doing this? What would be the best way to profit from it? I was thinking if I charge too much for registration I may not get enough cars in but if I charge too little I will go broke buying the prizes?

Any info on these questions is appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob

[Crysco]

Rob,

I would try to find other automotive company's that compliment yours.

You may be able to get local business's to donate prizes (Car wash stuff, gift certificates etc...). Maybe offer ad space in your correspondence for your event to help subsidise the costs.

You want to keep the registration costs low to help drive up attendance

[Filip]

To get more people to the car show, you can arrange a car cinema in the end. I've heard that the people sitting inside their cars can listen to the movie trough radio signals. Haha, it will certainly draw attention, but you will need a free parking lot or something, and it has to be dark outside. To earn money from it, you can sell popcorn and number the cars making it a lottery. Haha, just some thoughts!

[showroomshine]

Rob,
My detail shop Showroom Shine Express Detailing is putting together a carshow here in St.Louis this summer. I have several suggestions:

1)I assume you are doing this to ultimately draw attention & drive business to your audio shop. Being that you are just getting started I would be cautious of how much you spend on this event. Start with your suppliers of audio equipment & ask them to be sponsers of your carshow. Being that this is your first one & you dont have any historical data to show them from previous events they may not give you cash but they may give you some product.
Also if you have built any relationships with others in the automotive industry, repair shops, detail shops, paint shops, dealerships,etc. reach out to them to be a sponser of the event. You may be able to get a dealership or car rental place to be a sponser.
Some sponsership opportunity's could be
Most Expensive: the naming rights.
For instance Your Audio Shop Car Show
Presented by: Sponser
Also offer a table or booth exhibit for a fee.
You could also put sponsers names on banners,posters, & web promos.

2)Reach out to other shops,local race areas,& car people you know to get the cars for your event. Im sure you know people with exotic,race cars,etc hang with people that have those cars. But keep the entry level low. We are charging $20 for ours.

3)Organize your categories so that it gets the kind of vehicles there that will give a good show & bring the kind of people you want to be there.

4)Find a location if you can that is highly visible, free or at least not terribly expensive. We are having our show at our city hall to help generate pride in the area & it helps to show the local gov. is supportive of local biz comm. Maybe another business you know has a large parking lot that may want to have the extra exposure to your carshow crowd. But you may need event insurance to protect yourself & your business so check w/your insurance agent. ALSO HAVE ALL CAR SHOW PARTICIPANTS SIGN A WAIVER RELIVING YOU & AUDIO SHOP FROM LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE TO THEIR VEHICLE...VERY IMPORTANT TO DO THAT!

3)Some other revenue sources:Sale food(hotdogs, burgers), water,soda,& carshow tshirts,Pics with cars, or carshow girls. (We are doing all of these)
4)While you are at the Major Show get as many people with cars contact info to let them know about your show when you get ready.

Keep this is mind though...You are in the audio business...Not the carshow business so use the show to promote & grow your car audio business. Start with a small show to help manage your risk...An old school guy once told me...You have to crawl before you walk; but before you crawl you have to first lift your head up.

Keep me posted on what you got going on.
~S.C.
showroomshinedetailing.com
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