what draws you to bike events : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

J Bronson · 01-25-2009, 07:36 PM

I'm helping to put on the 40th anniversary gathering for "then came Bronson". I'm trying to figure out what will draw people to it. it is expensive to get celebrities to show up to these type of events. So my question is .....
How many folks would be more like to come to it if Michael Parks was going to be there? or would that affect your being there at all?
Check out the link to this years Bike week in Morgantown WV.
www.wvmountainfest.com

LastWideGlide · 01-25-2009, 07:39 PM

wet t-shirts and a swap meet are a plus...

strokerjlk · 01-25-2009, 08:22 PM

I did the $20,000 poker run for mt fest last year.
That was a blast! You get to tour the state and a chance to win 20,000. It got me to come from IL To WV. but I have to admit I also have family in WV. so there was extra incentive. When talking to the marking director at snowshoe he said the state tourism dept put up half the money and the sponsors kicked in the other half.
Just a idea.
Good luck sounds like you have a big job ahead of you!

DJFireUSA · 01-26-2009, 01:00 AM

ON BIKE games.

Slow races, tightest circle, cone weave, barrel races, other skill competitions. Anything that requires me to ride my scooter(s).

I could not care any less than I already do for the entertainment. Throw a GOOD mobile entertainer (DJ) up there so I can hear the songs sound the way the should instead of some other group doing some other band's song.

I am a biker, I want biker events.

If I want to hear a singer, I will go to a concert.

Vendors - get as many bike vendors as you can.

Raffle off a brand new Ultra Classic or other model.

Place for camping and bonfires with toilets. (power supply would be nice, but not needed.)

tomv · 01-26-2009, 12:12 PM

bikes, bikes, more bikes and bike people...love the crowds and the energy at biking events....i think promoting the event so lots of people know about it is where the crowds are going to come from...the more people here about it the more theyre likely to take the time to get to it....throw in a poker run, vendors and some music and youve got plenty of reasons for people to show up...

NewHarleyGear · 01-26-2009, 01:03 PM

Bikes, Babes, Bands, Booze, Big vendors, and Big special events (races, challenges, etc.).

LastWideGlide · 01-26-2009, 01:11 PM

All of the above and its a guaranteed hit!!

Waffen · 01-26-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomv

bikes, bikes, more bikes and bike people...love the crowds and the energy at biking events....i think promoting the event so lots of people know about it is where the crowds are going to come from...the more people here about it the more theyre likely to take the time to get to it....throw in a poker run, vendors and some music and youve got plenty of reasons for people to show up...

+1

W

J Bronson · 01-26-2009, 02:22 PM

Thanks for the input. let me ask the second part of the question in a different way...How many people here know who Michael Parks is? Would he be a draw?

LastWideGlide · 01-26-2009, 02:51 PM

don't mention Michael Parks..JMO

ProFvnv · 01-26-2009, 04:31 PM

The most important single thing you need to do is publicize the event. Get fliers out to all the dealers, all the indies, biker bars, etc. Advertise in the freebie biker newsletters, such as Thunderpress here in the west coast. List the event on biker websites. And whatever else you can think of.

Something else not yet mentioned... many people collect run pins. Spend some money and have a nice pin made up for your event. Some folks go just for the pin; some won't go if there isn't a pin. The pins will pay for themselves in increased attendance.

And, pray for good weather!

The real gasbag · 01-26-2009, 04:39 PM

Who is Michael Parks? Should I care who Michael Parks is? If I don't care who Michael Parks is, is that a reflection on me or him? After all, I am probably taller and better looking than he is.

YankeeBob · 01-26-2009, 06:27 PM

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0662981/

Had to look him up. Apparently he has been in many movies and TV shows.
Who knew??

J Bronson · 01-26-2009, 09:55 PM

Who is Michael Parks?.....
Yeah he's and actor...He played the part of a biker in a movie and TV series that cemented in me and a lot of others the desire to ride. And not just ride to be profiling, but to experience the landscape, and the people.
Here's a couple of links to check out. These are like hallowed ground for some folks.
www.jimbronson.com
www.thencamebronson.com
This show and the fact that my Dad rode and he was friends with Gary Nixon are some of the big reasons I ride....please don't tell me that no one on this site knows who Gary Nixon is......
My bike is "Billy's Bike" on one of those sites. This is not an add, just an attempt to explain a passion for two wheels. and to preserve some history.