cafe racer show.
- Thread starter WeberKid
- Start date
Ive been putting on a VW show here in Indiana for the last 7 years with about 200 cars. Its really just planning.
Once you get your venue, you may be required to have insurance. If your not required, you may want to get it anyways the last thing you want is something hitting a bike then you get a lawsuit on you.
Food, get a good vendor that's decent and cheep. Cheep food is important for beginning shows, if your venue has grill or you know someone with a big grill do your own food (that's what we do and make money on food while being cheaper than any vendor we could get).
Parking, get some fellow ton members or friends to do parking. This is a big chore and if parking sucks people will complain.
If your wanting the show to keep going, get a friend who takes good pics to snap all the bikes and get them up on a website. Showing nice bikes will help get more people out the next time.
Thats what ive got for now...
Once you get your venue, you may be required to have insurance. If your not required, you may want to get it anyways the last thing you want is something hitting a bike then you get a lawsuit on you.
Food, get a good vendor that's decent and cheep. Cheep food is important for beginning shows, if your venue has grill or you know someone with a big grill do your own food (that's what we do and make money on food while being cheaper than any vendor we could get).
Parking, get some fellow ton members or friends to do parking. This is a big chore and if parking sucks people will complain.
If your wanting the show to keep going, get a friend who takes good pics to snap all the bikes and get them up on a website. Showing nice bikes will help get more people out the next time.
Thats what ive got for now...
DrJ
Over 1,000 Posts
Don't bill it as a caferacer or mods and rockers event, it's been done to death and interest is waning. Instead promote it as an event that encompasses any cool motorcycle or scooter of any era but with the emphasis on vintage and owner-built. See Milwaukee's Rockerbox for inspiration.
Speedfiend
Coast to Coast
Go after big sponsors. Motorcycle superstore, Parts Unlimited, Conti Tires or any big companys in your area. Also PBR is a good one to hit up, they love sponsoring car/bike shows. Hagerty Insurance too. Ask for way more than you expect to get, you'll be surprised at what they might be willing to do. Start now! The more money you can raise, the better bands, T shirts and poster you'll have. People love swag.
Also, relentless FB posting. Start an event page and post daily.
Also, relentless FB posting. Start an event page and post daily.
Flugtechnik
My bike is not transportation, it is a respite
^^ Listen to this man. Their first bike show back in April was great. Having it at a brewery didn't hurt.
END OF LINE
END OF LINE
AlphaDogChoppers
Science is true whether you believe in it or not.
Get an experienced event planner involved. Don't try to do it on your own, because there are a thousand things you will not think of that will make your event suck.
Talk to a few caterers. They are experienced at events. If they don't have an event planner in house, they should be able to hook you up with an event planner that will insure a successful event.
Talk to a few caterers. They are experienced at events. If they don't have an event planner in house, they should be able to hook you up with an event planner that will insure a successful event.
Jjm4life
Active Member
would be cool if you could get harpoon involved. they have a great location, and have done a lot of events before. honestly doubt they would let someone from outside run an event at their place though.
+1 on not billing it as a cafe only show. make it open to al bikes all years for the best possible turnout. will also be easier to get more sponsors if its not so focused.
i have friends who have put on tons of shows over the years. wish you had mentioned it yesterday, i might be able to put you in touch with them, or at least get you some feedback from people who have put on big events locally (1,500-2000 cars)
+1 on not billing it as a cafe only show. make it open to al bikes all years for the best possible turnout. will also be easier to get more sponsors if its not so focused.
i have friends who have put on tons of shows over the years. wish you had mentioned it yesterday, i might be able to put you in touch with them, or at least get you some feedback from people who have put on big events locally (1,500-2000 cars)
You can always PM me. I'm also getting advice from ChopCult. I want a low-key thing that's truly for the enthusiast - no spectator parking type deal. Ride in, look at bikes, socialize, be merry. Maybe have bandit come by and lay some stripes and a few other select invitees who have something rad to offer. Thinking about Charlesgate Park as the venue. nobody knows what it is, but it would be perfect, under the bridge right off storrow. few hundred bikes max.
VonYinzer
Over 10,000 Posts
You don't need an event planner, unless of course your doing some bullshit wine tasting for a bunch of BMW riders and their business partners. Haha.
Most importantly, cover your own ass. Insurance, security, etc. You don't need cops and armed guards but a few big dudes (who you trust and know) to keep an eye out for bullshit.
Advertise NON STOP!!!!!! Facebook, a website, but for the big impact get out and shake hands. Hang flyers everywhere. Hit up the local bars and music venues. Tell anyone who will listen.
Also, if you plan on having a band, get something the majority of folks will dig. Not everybody loves metal are street punk stuff. A good, well known cover band that doesn't play only radio bullshit is always a decent call. Not the most inspiring, but it keeps most of the people happy all the time.
If you can get sponsors, milk them dry. They have them money and budgets for events WAY bigger than yours. Make them very aware that this isn't some flash in the pan deal. A little persistence and a lot of phone time can get you everywhere. Play your cards right and the sponsors should cover a lot of the work. If nothing else, advertising, entertainment, and possibly food can be covered almost entirely by the sponsors. Now, if it's some small local business that's signed on this obviously doesn't apply. But, the big companies... Get what ya can while ya can.
As DrJ said, DON'T call it a "cafe" or "rocker" or any other cliche term show. The best shows I've ever been to for cars or bikes are the ones that don't bury themselves in one niche. Do you think DoTheTon would be what it is today if Tim set a CAFE RACERS ONLY sign in the virtual front yard? Hell no. Let them all come and do their thing. Also, don't be one of those shows that segregates different bike styles unless it's needed for judging or something.
Keep shit chill and laid back. Get as many women to come as possible. Don't serve booze and no food. Plenty of bathrooms. Close enough to the city that everyone will come, far enough from hustle that everyone can have fun.
Good luck man, and keep us posted.
Most importantly, cover your own ass. Insurance, security, etc. You don't need cops and armed guards but a few big dudes (who you trust and know) to keep an eye out for bullshit.
Advertise NON STOP!!!!!! Facebook, a website, but for the big impact get out and shake hands. Hang flyers everywhere. Hit up the local bars and music venues. Tell anyone who will listen.
Also, if you plan on having a band, get something the majority of folks will dig. Not everybody loves metal are street punk stuff. A good, well known cover band that doesn't play only radio bullshit is always a decent call. Not the most inspiring, but it keeps most of the people happy all the time.
If you can get sponsors, milk them dry. They have them money and budgets for events WAY bigger than yours. Make them very aware that this isn't some flash in the pan deal. A little persistence and a lot of phone time can get you everywhere. Play your cards right and the sponsors should cover a lot of the work. If nothing else, advertising, entertainment, and possibly food can be covered almost entirely by the sponsors. Now, if it's some small local business that's signed on this obviously doesn't apply. But, the big companies... Get what ya can while ya can.
As DrJ said, DON'T call it a "cafe" or "rocker" or any other cliche term show. The best shows I've ever been to for cars or bikes are the ones that don't bury themselves in one niche. Do you think DoTheTon would be what it is today if Tim set a CAFE RACERS ONLY sign in the virtual front yard? Hell no. Let them all come and do their thing. Also, don't be one of those shows that segregates different bike styles unless it's needed for judging or something.
Keep shit chill and laid back. Get as many women to come as possible. Don't serve booze and no food. Plenty of bathrooms. Close enough to the city that everyone will come, far enough from hustle that everyone can have fun.
Good luck man, and keep us posted.
VonYinzer
Over 10,000 Posts
DrJ said:
That's a fact man. Back when I was a kid, we put on local shows for all the area punk and rock bands. First order of business was always to give a bunch of free tickets to as many girls as we could afford to. Guys hear that Miss Cuteinaskirt Will be there and there lined up 45min before show time.
Give the local roller derby teams a spot to sell shit and raise money. Politely ask them to make sure they're in uniform. Haha... See how many guys follow them through the door.
Rockers CT
Piss Off Gits
Cool Idea.. 2 things:
1: Youw ill nevere get Harpoon to do your event - legally they cannot unless you are a charity or licenced 401 or 501-3 Charity.. Trust Me weve tried it...
2: When you are truely ready to plan this event get in touch with me... I can help ya out avoiding some of the pitfalls in throwing events..
Cheers and goodluck..
Ohh yeah.. Look to the scheduale of events already happening when planning what day you want... the calender fills up fast and dont overlap another big event!
Cheers. Seth.....
p.s. Call it what ever you wanna call it... Invite everyone but if you wanna call it a Caff event or the like that wont stop people that were gonna come anyway!
1: Youw ill nevere get Harpoon to do your event - legally they cannot unless you are a charity or licenced 401 or 501-3 Charity.. Trust Me weve tried it...
2: When you are truely ready to plan this event get in touch with me... I can help ya out avoiding some of the pitfalls in throwing events..
Cheers and goodluck..
Ohh yeah.. Look to the scheduale of events already happening when planning what day you want... the calender fills up fast and dont overlap another big event!
Cheers. Seth.....
p.s. Call it what ever you wanna call it... Invite everyone but if you wanna call it a Caff event or the like that wont stop people that were gonna come anyway!
AlphaDogChoppers
Science is true whether you believe in it or not.
Just had an idea.
Might be possible to raise some funds with a Kickstarter campaign. Worth a shot.
Might be possible to raise some funds with a Kickstarter campaign. Worth a shot.
