For car enthusiasts and event planners in the automotive world, hosting a car show festival can be a wild ride. In this article, we’ll cover what you need to make it an unforgettable event. From choosing the right venue to great sanitation, we’ve got you covered.
Find the Perfect Venue and Layout
Choosing the right venue is crucial for hosting a great car show festival. Here’s some important stuff to consider:
Indoor vs Outdoor
First, decide if your event will be indoor or outdoor. Indoor venues are climate-controlled and cars and guests are protected from the elements. Outdoor venues, like a park, have more space and a more relaxed atmosphere. Many indoor venues may limit your catering options to their in-house services, while an outdoor space may offer more flexibility. Your show date will also impact your venue choice. If your event is in summer, an outdoor venue may be preferable, while indoors may be more appealing during colder months.
Logistics – Entry and Exit
Nothing squashes excitement faster than frustration at poor logistical planning. Organising car and guest flow will help your event run smoothly and make your life easier. Determine designated entry and exit points for cars and visitors, and post clear parking information. Have clear signs with detailed information and enough staff to manage traffic in the parking lot and prevent bottlenecks.
Accessibility
Accessibility is important. Make sure your venue is accessible to everyone, including attendees with disabilities. Indoor venues should have lifts and ramps to assist wheelchair users, while outdoor venues can install roll-out trackways to make navigation easier, even if the ground is muddy or uneven. Disabled portable toilets will also make the event more welcoming to these attendees.
Exhibitor and Entry Fees
Exhibitor and entry fees are typically used to offset the cost of the car show. You should set a fair price that covers the costs without scaring off participants and attendees. If your event plans to raise money for a local charity or cause, clearly state what percentage of each ticket will support this.
Your Car Niche
The car community has several niches, each of which has its own unique culture. Your car show festival’s theme will set the tone for the whole event and determine your advertising strategy and activities you offer. Here are some options:
Classic Cars
Shows featuring classic cars are for enthusiasts who love vintage cars. These events feature restored or well-maintained cars from a specific era.
Custom and Street Cars
Custom and street car shows are for modified cars with unique features. These events attract a younger, more diverse crowd.
Sports Cars
Sports car shows are for high-performance car fans. These events often include exciting demos and test drives.
Your Audience
Knowing your customer base is key to a successful car show festival. Think about:
Age and Gender
Know your age and gender demographics. This will help you create a festival experience for their tastes and expectations. If you plan to host a family-friendly event, it should include fun, engaging activities for kids. More adult-oriented events should have entertainment suited to groups of friends and couples.
Interests and Preferences
Consider your target audience’s interests and preferences, beyond their passion for cars. For example, if your guests are classic car enthusiasts, focus on vintage cars and related merchandise. While most people attending a car show will be car fans, this label covers many niches, from casual fans to die-hard racing fans, mechanics, and classic car restorers. Specialising in one or two niches will create a more rewarding experience for your attendees.
Advertising
For an event to be successful, people need to know it’s happening. Spread the word about your event and make sure the news reaches your target audience. You can do this by advertising on social media platforms, through channels like Facebook events, engaging content and paid ad placements, as well as asking local businesses to post fliers.
Attracting social media followers makes it easier to advertise upcoming events, host prize draws with fantastic prizes, track interest, and build excitement for future shows. You may even consider getting ad placement on a local radio station. Getting local businesses involved as suppliers or sponsors is a great way to give back to your community.
You may also wish to target any local car clubs. These are great places to find car lovers to exhibit their vehicles and attend your car show. A car club may also have local connections you can leverage and experience hosting car events. They will likely be familiar with existing local car shows and can offer insight into unfulfilled niches your show may fill.
Food and Drink
Food and drink can make or break your event. Car shows are a great opportunity to support local restaurants, breweries, and other food and drink businesses, creating a sense of community. Here’s what to do to keep your guests fed and happy:
Attendee Preferences
Offer a range of food and drink options that cater to your expected clientele. Consider including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options for different dietary needs.
Liquor Licensing
If you’re serving alcohol, make sure you get the right licenses. Ensure your event complies with local regulations.
Comprehensive Insurance
Insurance is a big part of planning a UK car show festival. Here’s what you need to know:
Individual Vehicle Insurance
Car exhibitors should have public liability insurance for their vehicles. This covers the owners in case of any damage or accidents during the event.
Event Insurance
Event hosts should pay for good event insurance for the event’s duration to cover any damage to the venue. This includes liability for accidents involving guests or participants.
Entertainment
Aside from the cars, most shows offer other entertainment. This can include guest appearances from industry celebrities, experts, or content creators, as well as live music, contests for exhibitors or guests, awarding prizes at an award ceremony, fun activities for kids, and more. Quality entertainment will help create an exciting event with unforgettable moments that attendees look forward to next year and beyond.
Vendors
Car shows are a great opportunity for local business owners to sell merchandise or advertise their services. Vendors may offer anything from car parts to t-shirts, stickers, and other merchandise showcasing a passion for all things automotive, as well as a wider range of items like handmade crafts, toys, and more.
Toilets and Sanitation
Portable Toilets
Portable toilets are a must for big events. Calculate how many you need based on expected attendance. Make sure they’re clean, well-maintained and easily accessible. Portable Toilets LTD offers a range of portable toilet options for both indoor and outdoor events, from standalone chemical toilets to luxurious units connected to electricity and water mains.
Guest Demographics
Consider your guest demographics when planning your sanitation needs. For example, if your audience is families, make sure there are baby-changing facilities.
How Portable Toilets LTD Can Help
Portable Toilets Limited (PTL) is your one-stop shop for portable sanitation at UK festivals and events. With over 30 years of experience, we’ve got sanitation down to a fine art. Here’s why you should choose us:
Knowledge and Experience
Since 1990 PTL has been the go-to provider of sanitation services for all types of events. Our consultative project management approach means no detail is missed.
Full-Service
We have a range of portable toilets to suit any size of event. From small events to large festivals, you can expect our team to provide the best solution at the best price. Our portable toilets are fully stocked with toilet paper, hand sanitiser, and other essentials to keep attendees feeling fresh throughout your car show.
Hassle-Free
Our professional team will make the process hassle-free. We’ll keep in touch throughout the rental, delivery, and pick-up process so you can focus on delivering the best festival for your guests.
Conclusion
Creating and planning a car show festival is fun and rewarding. Car enthusiasts are passionate, and creating a smooth, exhilarating experience will bring attendees back year after year. A successful event can combine all the fun of a festival with the passion for car culture. Follow these tips and use Portable Toilets LTD and you’ll have an event that will leave your guests impressed. Get in touch with PTL today for an obligation-free quote.
