Meetings Blog Aug 29, 2017
The automotive industry is huge. In the USA alone well over 17 million vehicles were sold in 2016. And as a venue provider for automotive events that has worked with many leading clients from the industry we wanted to get some further insights. We decided to speak to those involved for some valuable information about the world they maneuver around in.
Every event is its own world but for those who have worked on event planning across various industries you will know just how different they can be, all with specific demands to meet their requirements. Planning for events in the automotive industry, like any other, has a focus on the logistics of all the people involved but, unsurprisingly, it has another logistical planning consideration: the vehicles.
Vehicle logistics include working out the space needed to line up the cars appropriately to have the greatest impact and to allow the flow, or sometimes control, of attendee movements. There is also the small matter of parking the various vehicles pre and post their big moment while ensuring they are in the exact place they are meant to be when they have to be. And they don’t, at least not yet, move themselves on command.
Also, the appearance of the vehicles is critical to any standout presentation and this is why we always have at hand all the information regarding car washing facilities and refueling services around the hotel. We are also including on-site recharging stations for the ever-increasing number of automotive events presenting electric cars, scooters and vans. Your time is maximized while we deliver the sparkling goods.
So, what makes the perfect venue for an automotive event? Well, there will always be personal tastes that drive the answer to this – and often the brief can guide you to at least a shortlist – but one important aspect, certainly when the event is taken indoors, is high ceilings. Consider the vehicles that are to be included, as well as any supporting marketing boards, lighting, etc., and make sure the venue can cater for them. Remember that those in attendance will also need refueled while they’re there and that too takes up space. From exhibiting classic sports cars, to launching a new passenger vehicle full of new tech, to showcasing the best of the road freight industry, location can be the difference between celebrating at the chequered flag and having to visit the pit lane before end.
Another element that deserves more and more of your attention during the planning phase is the environmental and sustainability principle that forms part of the briefs. Finding a venue that has strong green policies can add to the positive reception given to the overall experience of attendees and can be aligned with a message on the event’s carbon footprint, garnishing even more favor within an ever-adapting industry. One aspect, as an example, that is being asked for more and more is electric vehicle charge points, so listen to how the trends in this area are moving.
With all types of product launches, training days, and sales incentives, arguably the most challenging is when road drives are required. This involves multiple bases which all require the facilities necessary to accommodate the event and everything must be aligned and timed to perfection. As more clients look to give ‘delegate experiences’ at the event, the importance to a planner of understanding the brand’s core values and objectives cannot be downplayed.
As with any large event, detailed planning is where the success hangs. Organization of all the people and vehicle requirements must be made in conjunction with each other – they are inextricably linked to the workings on the day. When it comes to automotive events NH Hotel Group has shown it has always has an extra gear!
