Topic: Do's and Don'ts of putting on a bike show?

[Tugboat]

My local vintage mc club is thinking about putting on a show/swap-meet/band-rockin'-out-in-the-parking-lot kind of event this fall. None of us have ever done anything like this before though. Any suggestions from folks who have?

[dave500]

to get it packed advertise free beer!

[mono]

wet t-shirt contest(s).

[CycleRanger]

Ok, so there's two examples of Don'ts!

Find a sponsor, like a local club (bar)  or dealership.  Talk to the vintage car club in your area. They may have some contacts.

[Duke McDukiedook]

wet t-shirt contest(s).

Skin!!! To WIN!!!!

[jamesb]

a friend and i used to put on swap meets. insurance is the biggest obstacle and we're not talking a few thousand dollar coverage most places want a million or so it's gonna cost you a grand at least.advertising is a good way to get people to come ask a local radio station sometimes they will do a live spot but you have to have some kind of give away free shirts ect ect ...next get sponsors that will help cover the cost of insurance any kind of rental offer trophies of some sort for competitors.registration fees for the bikes.like cycleranger stated find a dealership even a city park we have a lake in our town that has spots to rent  if you are not able to have it at a local watering hole a food vendor is nice to have around.it takes a lot of phone time and running around but it it is worth it.try to avoid alcohol at any cost you'll find out a lot of folks can't handle the booze. then that's you leaving yourself open to any thing that should happen at your event some other things you could do if it's nice out have a bike wash go pick up some strippers they are always game for that stuff we use them as ring girls for the fights i have had some experience with this kind of stuff pm me if you have some more questions. also make sure you state all makes and models of bikes welcome

[scrapvalue]

A friend of my brothers in Blue Ridge, GA went through a big ordeal trying to do what you are talking about.
Everyone that had the potential property to hold such and event was wanting the big insurance policy,(kill all the lawyers and quit electing them into politics).

Anyway, ended up talking to the local flea market owners about holding it there.
They were very willing let it happen, figured it would bring more people to the flea market,(and it did).
The flea market owners all ready carried the insurance needed and want them to do it again next year.

Might be something you would want to check out.

[dave500]

everyone gets a fully insured free t shirt wet with beer?

[mono]

everyone gets a fully insured free t shirt wet with beer?

... and washed by a stripper!

[Operator]

I pulled off a couple of charity rallies. Note: all of my experience is based on Canadian laws, rules and regulations.

Insurance: Get a local insuurance agent to sponsor you. If you know a local motorcycle friendly agent they will often trade a one day coverage policy for all the free advertising. It's free advertising if nothing bad happens. The other option is if you have a local bike shop with a big parking lot. Our local shop hosted our event and called it a customer appreciation day in support of our charity. We were covered for the day for insurance and he got a crapload of customers in his shop checking out his bikes---win win.

Raffle items: Go around to local bike shops, grocery stores, tattoo shops, hardware stores, yoga studios, basically any store you can think of and ask if they would like to donate to the event in exchange for advertising. I have gotten everything from lawn chairs to display model helmets (worth $200.00) to a gift certificate for 1 Hour of tattooing. A lot of shops will give gift certificates. It cost them nothing to give away and it just might never be cashed in so they lose nothing.

Food: Talk to a grocery store. The big chains are the best, they have the most money. Many of them will give a huge discount or even a food donation to put a banner on the front of your barbeque. You can never lose money on selleng $2 dollar hot dogs and $1 pop.

Music: As stated above radio stations might help out. Another option is to go to your local college, university or even high school and find a local band. They will normally play for free just because there is an audience and good exposure. Music shops may be a good place to look as well. It's pretty likely that the slack-jawed teenager behind the counter is either in a band or has buddies who are.

Booze: Agree with JamesB- We always avoided it. That and liquor licences are expensive. At the end of the day you want everyone home safe. You can always go for a pint after the event is over and done with.

Good Luck Tugboat....Hope this may help you out..

Operator

[Duke McDukiedook]

everyone gets a fully insured free t shirt wet with beer?

... and washed by a stripper!

And tugged by said stripper. 

[mono]

everyone gets a fully insured free t shirt wet with beer?

... and washed by a stripper!

And tugged by said stripper. 

sounds like there'll be an entry fee.

[Don R]

Our car club had a beer/ band party for our 10th and 20th. The 10th we hired a motel to handle it. they didn't, we got shut down by the police. The 20th our advertising guy didn't do any and it was a great club party.  We are getting a million dollar policy for $300 in a city park. We are doing a cruise in so no trophies or entry fee. There is money to be made from the food stand, you can get bids from vendors but be sure they can handle it. A single carnival wagon can't handle the job sometimes. We will have a poker run with a 5$ donation fee, a silent auction and a drawing. Raffle here requires a liscense so we don't say raffle. Event shirts are a mixed blessing, only worthwhile if you can sell them out, it sucks having a cool or rainy day and endine up with boxes of shirts. Each year you learn a little, then each year you forget a little.

[Operator]

Been rained out a couple of times. Event shirts are great if you can get away without putting a date on them, then they can be reused the next time. It's not a raffle, it's a "sponsor prize draw"