Possible Z show need advice

FuszNissan · 06-26-2009, 09:31 AM

I was thinking of holding a Z show at our Dealership. I have never done one before, so any help would greatly be appreciated. I have some questions to get some ideas going.

1. What would be the best day to hold an event?
2. Would you attend if it was free? (If the venue had better prizes and food would you pay?)
3. Would you attend if there was a registration charge to enter your car?
4. Would you attend if it was catered vs. non-catered.
5. Marketing Ideas(local clubs,radio advertising,database mailer?)
6. Pre-registation
9. Kids games ( not sure what?)
7. Prizes (Forgestar Wheels and accessories or something)
8. How do you do the classes, by Model: example R34??
9. Do people like this kind of stuff or am I wasting my time. Thought it would be fun.

Thanks for the hlep guy
Lou

theDreamer · 06-26-2009, 09:52 AM

1. What would be the best day to hold an event?
~Usually a Saturday, starting around 9 would be best for most. Gives them time to prep the car for the show.

2. Would you attend if it was free? (If the venue had better prizes and food would you pay?)
~Free is always great, many times you pay to be in the show (or track event) which help pay for trophies or such.

3. Would you attend if there was a registration charge to enter your car?
~I would.

4. Would you attend if it was catered vs. non-catered.
~Catered is nice, best is usually BBQ of some sort. Though being in Texas, any BBQ is great.

5. Marketing Ideas(local clubs,radio advertising,database mailer?)
~Marketing would be forums mostly probably, it just depends on what kind of crowd you want to get. Though hitting radio might be good to pull in those wanting to see the car(s) without being pressured by salesmen.

6. Pre-registation
~This is best to know how much food and what kind of turn out to expect for the show. You will get many who just show up to view the cars.

9. Kids games ( not sure what?)
~Ice cream?

7. Prizes (Forgestar Wheels and accessories or something)
~Prizes are always great, might consider doing a raffle. The Texas Z party I went to had a raffle and there were three groups. Parts for 350Z, parts for mostly classic Zs, and general Z/Nissan gear.

8. How do you do the classes, by Model: example R34??
~Classes are usually by model, Z34/Z33/etc.

9. Do people like this kind of stuff or am I wasting my time. Thought it would be fun.
~I enjoyed the one I have been to in Texas (Texas Z Party), got to meet a lot of people and see some great cars.

FuszNissan · 06-26-2009, 09:58 AM

Thanks for the reply
We do business on Saturday, and don't want to hinder sales, would sunday still work well or not? We are closed on Sunday and that way it wouldn't hurt our sales.

Thanks agian.

nogoodname · 06-26-2009, 10:02 AM

1. What would be the best day to hold an event?
the end of the week on a clear day...start around lunch

2. Would you attend if it was free? (If the venue had better prizes and food would you pay?)
yea, wouldn't mind paying a bit

3. Would you attend if there was a registration charge to enter your car?
yea

4. Would you attend if it was catered vs. non-catered.
i would attend either or, also, BBQ since it's summer

5. Marketing Ideas(local clubs,radio advertising,database mailer?)
radio and forums

6. Pre-registation
helps you for the food count and stuff

9. Kids games ( not sure what?)
inflatable rides?? and yea, Ice Cream

7. Prizes (Forgestar Wheels and accessories or something)
this is where the entrance fee helps

8. How do you do the classes, by Model: example R34??
by model is good

9. Do people like this kind of stuff or am I wasting my time. Thought it would be fun.
of course ppl like this stuff

theDreamer · 06-26-2009, 10:06 AM

Sunday can still work, remember Sunday morning is usually church for many people and then people doing family dinners many time in the evenings. So on a Sunday it might be best to do say around 11 (have BBQ lunch) or maybe around 7-9 in the evening and still have BBQ but might not get as many to eat. Also something to think about, not sure of your area but in Texas it is hot right now. Best to make sure you have some shade for people, plenty of free bottle water for those visiting.

Modshack · 06-26-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuszNissan

Thanks for the reply
We do business on Saturday, and don't want to hinder sales, would sunday still work well or not? We are closed on Sunday and that way it would hurt our sales.

Thanks agian.

Consider it a marketting opportunity to generate floor traffic Lou. Our local club partners with Gabe Rowe Nissan in Rock Mount NC. We just had a show a few weekends ago and Gabe was very supportive with drinks, popcorn, prize donations, trophys etc. He even advertised it on the radio and got some people on the lot he would not normally have seen. It wasn't a big show but everyone had a good time. The club went out and solicited sponsors and had lots of giveaways for the raffle. Registration was $20 and was tied into the clubs chosen charity. If you don't have a local club, consider using this Venue to start one. I've been associated with lots of dealers in my 20 years with Honda, and building an enthusiast base around your dealership and product line is never a bad thing.

Good luck!

FuszNissan · 06-26-2009, 10:56 AM

I see everyone mentioning raffle, could you please explain in detail. Are you talking raffle the prizes. Or should the prizes be like best in class?

nogoodname · 06-26-2009, 10:59 AM

raffle is raffling the prizes and trophies for best in class

Modshack · 06-26-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuszNissan

I see everyone mentioning raffle, could you please explain in detail. Are you talking raffle the prizes. Or should the prizes be like best in class?

Everyone who enters gets a ticket. Tickets are drawn to pick the lucky winners of the various giveaway items. Our club also held a 50/50 where you could buy blocks of tickets with 50% going to the drawing winner and the other 50% going to the charity. Makes everyone feel good when done that way..

MightyBobo · 06-26-2009, 11:03 AM

1. What would be the best day to hold an event?
Fridays or Saturdays work best for me generally

2. Would you attend if it was free? (If the venue had better prizes and food would you pay?)
Free is always good, but if there were some nice prizes I wouldn't mind pitching in some cash.

3. Would you attend if there was a registration charge to enter your car?
Only if I could potentially get something in return.

4. Would you attend if it was catered vs. non-catered.
Yes

5. Marketing Ideas(local clubs,radio advertising,database mailer?)
Scour for your most popular local car guy forums. Make a nice post about it - not a short, "Hey, we're doing this on this day, come on and see us!" - try to make a flashy flier to put up.

6. Pre-registation
Again, if I could potentially win something, I'd pay. Otherwise, most of our car shows like this were a "just show up and park" kind of thing.

9. Kids games ( not sure what?)
Tons of ideas for that...but being a car show, I wouldnt even worry about this too much. Most any big car show Ive seen, people wont take their eyes off their kids, and they wont want to be tied down by watching their kid play games. One idea that might work however - set up some XBox's or PS3's playing some driving games?

7. Prizes (Forgestar Wheels and accessories or something)
Forgestar wheels, some of the accessories like the illuminated kick plates...jackets, hats, shirts - I LOVE collecting car show shirts, or enthusiast apparel.

8. How do you do the classes, by Model: example R34??
Probably easiest to group by model, but if you spread it out too much, you'll have default winners. Sometimes its simply best to make generic ones like "Best of Show" or whatever. Im a fan of "Best Stock", "Best Modified" separation too, since some people go to painstaking lengths to have their car clean as hell, but stock.

9. Do people like this kind of stuff or am I wasting my time. Thought it would be fun.
Back in Omaha, we'd get together for a weekly car show every Wednesday, and on the nice days it was EXTREMELY popular. 200-300 cars was commonplace on those days. But its only as fun as you make it - if its just an informal get together with no aim at all, people will show up, hang out for 10 minutes, walk around and snap a few shots, and leave. Give them something to do, or some reason to make it a group outing with their friends. A raffle is a GREAT way of getting people to stay if the prizes are good! Things I like: enthusiast clothing, racing gear (helmets in particular are awesome, and driving shoes), gift certificates for accessories or to local parts stores - stuff like that goes over well.

sig11 · 06-26-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuszNissan

Thanks for the reply
We do business on Saturday, and don't want to hinder sales, would sunday still work well or not? We are closed on Sunday and that way it would hurt our sales.

Thanks agian.

D ick Scott Nissan up here pulled me in because of their Z show. I would have bought from them had they been able to find me a car.

nogoodname · 06-26-2009, 11:28 AM

^^ here, Dick Scott Nissan

ENT-Z · 06-26-2009, 06:19 PM

Lou I think this is a great idea. I would love to meet other Z owners in the area -- we should start a club or something.

I think it would be fine to do it on a Sunday.

If you need any help with anything let me know!

ENT-Z · 06-26-2009, 06:22 PM

Oh yeah one more thing -- our Audi came from Parktown and that is where the St. Louis Porsche club holds it's meetings -- once when I was there the meeting was going on in the evening while the dealership was open -- they even moved out the cars in the showroom to move some of the rarer porsche models in.

But whatever day you pick as long as I'm not at work I'll come! Look forward to meeting you!

StLRedrider · 06-26-2009, 09:47 PM

I would show up for sure, i live 5 minutes from your location. No mods to the Z thou. Would that matter? Same here let me know what i can do.....

06-26-2009, 09:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
FuszNissan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 14,275 Drives: Pure Sex Rep Power: 541	Possible Z show need advice I was thinking of holding a Z show at our Dealership. I have never done one before, so any help would greatly be appreciated. I have some questions to get some ideas going. 1. What would be the best day to hold an event? 2. Would you attend if it was free? (If the venue had better prizes and food would you pay?) 3. Would you attend if there was a registration charge to enter your car? 4. Would you attend if it was catered vs. non-catered. 5. Marketing Ideas(local clubs,radio advertising,database mailer?) 6. Pre-registation 9. Kids games ( not sure what?) 7. Prizes (Forgestar Wheels and accessories or something) 8. How do you do the classes, by Model: example R34?? 9. Do people like this kind of stuff or am I wasting my time. Thought it would be fun. Thanks for the hlep guy Lou __________________ Mods: Too Many to list! LouFuszNissan ZDAYZ 2012

06-26-2009, 09:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	1. What would be the best day to hold an event? ~Usually a Saturday, starting around 9 would be best for most. Gives them time to prep the car for the show. 2. Would you attend if it was free? (If the venue had better prizes and food would you pay?) ~Free is always great, many times you pay to be in the show (or track event) which help pay for trophies or such. 3. Would you attend if there was a registration charge to enter your car? ~I would. 4. Would you attend if it was catered vs. non-catered. ~Catered is nice, best is usually BBQ of some sort. Though being in Texas, any BBQ is great. 5. Marketing Ideas(local clubs,radio advertising,database mailer?) ~Marketing would be forums mostly probably, it just depends on what kind of crowd you want to get. Though hitting radio might be good to pull in those wanting to see the car(s) without being pressured by salesmen. 6. Pre-registation ~This is best to know how much food and what kind of turn out to expect for the show. You will get many who just show up to view the cars. 9. Kids games ( not sure what?) ~Ice cream? 7. Prizes (Forgestar Wheels and accessories or something) ~Prizes are always great, might consider doing a raffle. The Texas Z party I went to had a raffle and there were three groups. Parts for 350Z, parts for mostly classic Zs, and general Z/Nissan gear. 8. How do you do the classes, by Model: example R34?? ~Classes are usually by model, Z34/Z33/etc. 9. Do people like this kind of stuff or am I wasting my time. Thought it would be fun. ~I enjoyed the one I have been to in Texas (Texas Z Party), got to meet a lot of people and see some great cars. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

06-26-2009, 09:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
FuszNissan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 14,275 Drives: Pure Sex Rep Power: 541	Thanks for the reply We do business on Saturday, and don't want to hinder sales, would sunday still work well or not? We are closed on Sunday and that way it wouldn't hurt our sales. Thanks agian. __________________ Mods: Too Many to list! LouFuszNissan ZDAYZ 2012 Last edited by FuszNissan; 06-26-2009 at 11:25 AM.

06-26-2009, 10:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	1. What would be the best day to hold an event? the end of the week on a clear day...start around lunch 2. Would you attend if it was free? (If the venue had better prizes and food would you pay?) yea, wouldn't mind paying a bit 3. Would you attend if there was a registration charge to enter your car? yea 4. Would you attend if it was catered vs. non-catered. i would attend either or, also, BBQ since it's summer 5. Marketing Ideas(local clubs,radio advertising,database mailer?) radio and forums 6. Pre-registation helps you for the food count and stuff 9. Kids games ( not sure what?) inflatable rides?? and yea, Ice Cream 7. Prizes (Forgestar Wheels and accessories or something) this is where the entrance fee helps 8. How do you do the classes, by Model: example R34?? by model is good 9. Do people like this kind of stuff or am I wasting my time. Thought it would be fun. of course ppl like this stuff Last edited by nogoodname; 06-26-2009 at 10:08 AM.

06-26-2009, 10:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	Sunday can still work, remember Sunday morning is usually church for many people and then people doing family dinners many time in the evenings. So on a Sunday it might be best to do say around 11 (have BBQ lunch) or maybe around 7-9 in the evening and still have BBQ but might not get as many to eat. Also something to think about, not sure of your area but in Texas it is hot right now. Best to make sure you have some shade for people, plenty of free bottle water for those visiting. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

06-26-2009, 10:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
FuszNissan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 14,275 Drives: Pure Sex Rep Power: 541	I see everyone mentioning raffle, could you please explain in detail. Are you talking raffle the prizes. Or should the prizes be like best in class? __________________ Mods: Too Many to list! LouFuszNissan ZDAYZ 2012

06-26-2009, 10:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	raffle is raffling the prizes and trophies for best in class

06-26-2009, 11:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 52	1. What would be the best day to hold an event? Fridays or Saturdays work best for me generally 2. Would you attend if it was free? (If the venue had better prizes and food would you pay?) Free is always good, but if there were some nice prizes I wouldn't mind pitching in some cash. 3. Would you attend if there was a registration charge to enter your car? Only if I could potentially get something in return. 4. Would you attend if it was catered vs. non-catered. Yes 5. Marketing Ideas(local clubs,radio advertising,database mailer?) Scour for your most popular local car guy forums. Make a nice post about it - not a short, "Hey, we're doing this on this day, come on and see us!" - try to make a flashy flier to put up. 6. Pre-registation Again, if I could potentially win something, I'd pay. Otherwise, most of our car shows like this were a "just show up and park" kind of thing. 9. Kids games ( not sure what?) Tons of ideas for that...but being a car show, I wouldnt even worry about this too much. Most any big car show Ive seen, people wont take their eyes off their kids, and they wont want to be tied down by watching their kid play games. One idea that might work however - set up some XBox's or PS3's playing some driving games? 7. Prizes (Forgestar Wheels and accessories or something) Forgestar wheels, some of the accessories like the illuminated kick plates...jackets, hats, shirts - I LOVE collecting car show shirts, or enthusiast apparel. 8. How do you do the classes, by Model: example R34?? Probably easiest to group by model, but if you spread it out too much, you'll have default winners. Sometimes its simply best to make generic ones like "Best of Show" or whatever. Im a fan of "Best Stock", "Best Modified" separation too, since some people go to painstaking lengths to have their car clean as hell, but stock. 9. Do people like this kind of stuff or am I wasting my time. Thought it would be fun. Back in Omaha, we'd get together for a weekly car show every Wednesday, and on the nice days it was EXTREMELY popular. 200-300 cars was commonplace on those days. But its only as fun as you make it - if its just an informal get together with no aim at all, people will show up, hang out for 10 minutes, walk around and snap a few shots, and leave. Give them something to do, or some reason to make it a group outing with their friends. A raffle is a GREAT way of getting people to stay if the prizes are good! Things I like: enthusiast clothing, racing gear (helmets in particular are awesome, and driving shoes), gift certificates for accessories or to local parts stores - stuff like that goes over well. __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

06-26-2009, 11:28 AM	#12 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	^^ here, Dick Scott Nissan

06-26-2009, 06:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
ENT-Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 460 Drives: 09 MB 6MT 370Z Rep Power: 16	Lou I think this is a great idea. I would love to meet other Z owners in the area -- we should start a club or something. I think it would be fine to do it on a Sunday. If you need any help with anything let me know!

06-26-2009, 06:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
ENT-Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 460 Drives: 09 MB 6MT 370Z Rep Power: 16	Oh yeah one more thing -- our Audi came from Parktown and that is where the St. Louis Porsche club holds it's meetings -- once when I was there the meeting was going on in the evening while the dealership was open -- they even moved out the cars in the showroom to move some of the rarer porsche models in. But whatever day you pick as long as I'm not at work I'll come! Look forward to meeting you!

06-26-2009, 09:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
StLRedrider A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St.louis,Mo Posts: 17,755 Drives: O9Sprt/Touring,p-51 Rep Power: 60	I would show up for sure, i live 5 minutes from your location. No mods to the Z thou. Would that matter? Same here let me know what i can do..... __________________ Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today J.Dean

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