Strong exhibitor interest for 2009 Speedshow

5 March 2009

Strong exhibitor interest for 2009 Speedshow

A strong number of exhibitor bookings for the 2009 Speedshow all points to this year’s event reaching an exciting new level, says Speedshow organiser Keith Sharp.

Scheduled to take place at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland over the weekend of 19 and 20 September, the innovative Speedshow has a larger number of exhibitors booked at this stage than at the same time last year.

“It’s hugely encouraging to see the level of exhibitor interest we have for Speedshow ’09,” says Sharp, who developed and ran the first successful Speedshow in 2007 with a second, very popular event taking place in September 2008. “Given the current economic pressures, it’s particularly heartening to have such a significant level of support from both existing and new exhibitors this early in the year.”

Sharp is working with exhibitors and supporters to develop and grow Speedshow while retaining the show’s original unique concept of focussing on motorsport-related displays and products.

“Speedshow will always have a motorsport focal point, but we’re looking to broaden the appeal this year with the addition of selected premium and unique new motor vehicles. Currently we’re talking to a number of potential exhibitors about various concept and luxury cars never seen before in New Zealand – these would be on display just for Speedshow visitors in September,” explains Sharp.

The 2008 Speedshow attracted around 15,000 visitors to the Auckland Showgrounds, about double the number attending the inaugural event.

Sharp says the enthusiasm demonstrated by Speedshow visitors for the big variety of displays and trade exhibits – which included drift cars, New Zealand V8s, single seater race cars, speedway and drag cars as well as Scott Dixon’s Indy car and a Ferrari F1 car – has been a key factor for exhibitors re-signing for the 2009 event so quickly.

“A number of exhibitors signed up for 2009 while packing up in 2008 and virtually all exhibitors reported excellent sales at the show, which says a lot about the well-targeted and interested audience Speedshow attracts.”

Sharp says the show’s layout has been redeveloped with trade exhibits focussed in hall two of the ASB Showgrounds and the larger displays in hall three.

“We anticipate also including hall one in the 2009 event, as well as an expanded outdoor action arena and display.

“It’s easy to think that Speedshow’s months away, but we urge prospective exhibitors to get in touch with us within the next month if you want the best choice of sites amongst the three indoor halls and outdoor areas. With so many sites already confirmed, we’d like to keep offering everyone their first choice of site, but of course as more exhibitors sign up, that simply isn’t possible.

“We also welcome contact from car clubs and motorsport organisations are keen to put on a dynamic display at Speedshow as a way of promoting their club and events.”

Speedshow ’09 is set to be bigger, brighter and more exciting, with Sharp full of enthusiasm for the ideas he’s working on for the major displays. “We can’t confirm our central attraction yet, but rest assured it’s going to be every bit as good, if not better than Scott Dixon’s Indy car which attracted so many people to Speedshow in 2008.

“Note the dates of 19 and 20 September in your diary now and sign up for our free email alerts (newsletters) on the website www.speedshow.co.nz. And for those who might like to exhibit, we invite you to email keith@speedshow.co.nz.”

ENDS/

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