Car shows can be a fantastic way to bring the community together, breathe new life into a venue, and give local businesses a platform for reaching new audiences. However, a successful auto festival takes much more than a collection of lovingly restored vehicles. It also requires careful planning, partnerships with local organizations, and financial investments. Below are a few tips for making your first car show a success.

5 Tips for a Successful Car Show

1. Research the Date

If you have a date in mind, do some research to find out if other major events are going on at the same time. Competing with music festivals, other automotive events, or sports games will likely depress turnout, lowering your chances of making your money back.

2. Set a Budget

Setting a budget early on will help allocate resources and provide the best experience possible without running into the red. Estimating how many vehicles and guests will attend will help you calculate expected revenue from ticket sales, raffles, and other fees.

3. Choose a Venue Carefully

Convention center parking lots, golf courses, and vacant land are all ideal places for a car show, but there are factors to consider beyond space. For instance, the venue should have enough entrances and exits to provide smooth traffic flow, as well as logical locations for vendors and tents. If the venue doesn’t have public restrooms, remember to add portable toilet rentals to the budget.

4. Get Permits

Some city governments don’t require permits for events on private property, but others may. Check with your local government about applying for a permit and whether you’ll need to purchase an event insurance policy.

5. Invest in Advertising

Word-of-mouth is always an effective marketing tool, but don’t only rely on your car club to generate excitement. Set up social media accounts for the event, invest in digital advertising, and contact local auto parts stores and other vendors about hanging flyers in their shops.

If you’re planning a car show, festival, or another event in Mebane, NC, the Mebane Business Association has the resources and local expertise you need. For over 25 years, they’ve connected local businesses and the community by hosting festivals, fundraisers, and helping organizers build thriving networks. Visit their website to see their calendar of festivals and other events, get more business tips on Twitter, or call (919) 304-3737 to learn about becoming a member.