There are few things that get people’s engines going as much as fast cars, summer days, and a live band. Hosting a Car Show fundraiser is an extremely fun way to raise money for a cause that’s important to you. While it might seem like a lot of effort to organize, if you follow these quick tips, it will be a cinch.
- Pick a Great Location
Like in real estate, the secret to a great car show is “location, location, location!” Many car shows are held in big empty parking lots, and while the benefits of a location like this are obvious, the only downside is that there is nothing inherently interesting about the location. Instead, try to find a unique garage, airport hangar, or other space that brings some character to the show. If the location is located near a bustling part of town, that also adds the possibility of passersby dropping in to participate in the show. Drive around town and see if any locations stand out as big enough to support the car show, food vendors, portapotties, and lots of people. Find out who owns the property then approach them about renting the space for your show.
- Invite Vendors
Inviting vendors is a great way to add diversity, interest, and revenue to your event. When approaching potential vendors, be prepared with statistics and reasons why they should pay to be at your event. Anticipated number of guests, the cause you are supporting, and other related reasons are great ideas to present to vendors. Get in touch with local car shops, auto glass repair shops, local car washes, boutique stores, and restaurants to see if they want to host a booth. You can charge them a flat fee to be present, or a commission on sales. If they balk at the price, get creative and ask them what would work for them.
- Find Sponsors For the Event
Sponsorship is one of the main ways that events generate revenue. If your event is charitable, business card write off the sponsorship as a tax deduction, so will be more likely to sponsor the event. Offer a few different sponsorship levels and package to appeal to different price points. You can approach local schools, sports teams, or businesses to see if they’d like to get involved, or host an activity such as a car wash so they can raise money for their cause.
- Advertise
The coolest car show in the world would be a failure if no one saw it! Make sure to advertise to get the word out about your event. Whether you take out ads on social media such as Facebook, put an ad in the newspaper, or contact local organizations, its important that you dedicate a significant amount of time to advertising for your event. Definitely reach out to car clubs and car-related groups because they will be the ones most interested in attending your show.
Car shows are an awesome way to engage the community and rally people behind your cause. Have fun out there!
