Hi all
If you are going to use dash plaques and present trophies it is appropriate to charge an pre entry fee for exhibitors/car owners.
This will firstly ensure that entrants who have prepaid will turn up.
Importantly they will stay to the end of the show - because that when you present trophies.
We have used individual sponsors to cover trophy costs particularly the big sports type trophies and framed plaques.
How we get the individual sponsors on board is to give them:
# Free tickets to the event.
# Their involvement in the presentation of trophy and their name on trophy they hand out
# A sponsors board that identifies all trophy sponsors
# Down the track if you do a "T" shirt, then sponsor logos go on the back. But charge accordingly. Say $100 per sponsor.
# A major sponsor for say $250 could get event name rights, plus they can put up some signage at their expense at the event and a trade site for their products.
How big do you want to get?
If you are going to do a small cruise type event and show you can charge individuals a smaller entry fee/donation and present framed awards and dash plaques for all entrants.
'ford nut' 'Todds" suggestions are spot on there.
Over here you can do a "T" shirt with art work for about $15 per shirt for 50 shirt runs. The "T" shirt could be part of the entry fee at say $30. Include other items with it..
Now their getting a "T" shirt, dash plaque and possibly a framed award for their $30. You should make $8 - 10 per entrant.
Ring a few shops such as car polish, car wash, auto caps suppliers, key ring suppliers etc. etc. .. See if you can get samples for each entrant to go in a goody bag along with their shirt and plaque.
$8 - 9 profit from say a $30 entrance cost/donation x 60 entrants Plus a raffle should see about a $1,000 to the school for the day.
Promote the event and come up with a way to get some money from the public ( Cobra ride raffle etc) and you have the makings of a good little
PR excercise and money maker.
Run a small sausage, steak BBQ and charge a few dollars for entrants and this will also get a little more in.
We also get the Police, Fire and Rescue along to do displays and the kids love it. Good for us also to meet these guys. Ring their offices and ask for Public Relations.
Perhaps some amusement rides for kids also. They will usually donate back 10 - 15% of their takings.
Just my thoughts. You guys will know how hard it is to get money out of sponsors. Here, we find that we can get a sponsor for a $50 trophy reasonably easy.
Again, most shopping centres will jump at a small car display in their mall area. Try this the week before to promote your event.
'ford nut' "Todds" and 'Mrs 66 snake' who have been kind enough to assist with suggestions are a good source as they know the USA situation better than I do.
Hey instant Show committee
I know if you get a Cobra or two out here, you have an instant car show in the right area.
Just some additional ramblings from "down under'
Good luck
Cheers
Bernie