Calling specialty car companies to the Creek

The car show for car professionals

AUTORAMA 2023 IS A NEW EVENT WHERE THE NATION’S BEST SPECIALISTS IN THE AUTO BUSINESS WILL GET TOGETHER TO PROMOTE THEIR PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND SKILLS — AND PUT ON A SHOW FOR THE PUBLIC

The Autorama organising team, drawn from the Special Interest Vehicle Association (SIVANZ) and Special Interest Vehicle Manufacturers and Suppliers (SIVMAS) groups, have created Autorama 2023 to demonstrate the significance of the special interest vehicle industry sector and the cars they support. It is inviting everyone in the business with a story to tell to get involved.

The venue for Autorama 2023 is the Mystery Events Centre, Hamilton on 17–19 March, 2023.

The event aims to bring together businesses supplying the owners of performance, classic, race, hot rods, imports, and much more with parts, services, specialised tools, and fabrication work — the businesses that support the special interest vehicle segment.

When most people look at a special interest vehicle that has had thousands of hours poured into it, very few see the businesses behind the car — those that sold the tools to put the car together, or that rebuilt the transmission, or the specialised machines and operator knowledge that went into reconditioning the engine, the metal fabrication or the skill required to mix and apply modern paints. That means they don’t know where to go when they want those specialist skills for their own projects — but they are out there.

Big and beautiful

A business survey in 2019 estimated that the SIVMAS sector contributes an estimated $5 billion annually to the New Zealand economy. At that time the value of special interest vehicles in private ownership was well in excess of $3.4 billion; some pundits believe the figure is closer to $6 billion. It is clear that industry and car people are a big part of New Zealand and the economy, and the Autorama 2023 team think that is worth getting together to celebrate.

So, how do you celebrate special interest vehicle manufacturers and suppliers and the wider automotive sector that holds it all together? You hold an industry and trade show and surround those businesses with the cars that they helped build. Then you invite the general public to come to an industry and car show like no other, to see who is making these extraordinary vehicles; to see the finished product and the businesses that made it possible, bringing industry, cars and enthusiasts together.

Everyone from the small business owner to the largest wil have the opportunity to talk face to face with like-minded industry peers and create new business relationships. Up to 12,000 people are expected to pass through the gates at Autorama 2023 to view the exhibitors and cars on show. We all know cars are important to customers and a show like this gives them the fuel and motivation to get projects finished which means getting tools, parts, expertise and services from the connections they make at the show.

Of special interest to the trade

Autorama 2023 will also showcase automotive education and training programmes and hopefully encourage young men and women into automotive careers. Employees of the future will need to be well trained and motivated and visitors and exhibitors can see what is on offer for them in the Automotive Education and Innovation Excellence hall.

Autorama 2023 has space for about 100 business exhibitors and a similar number for cars, although it is expected applications for exhibition cars will quickly exceed available slots — but the venue is perfect for scaling the event up or down depending on demand, so it’s important to get expressions of interest early. If the two main halls get filled there is plenty of outdoor space available.

If your business has not yet received an Exhibitor and Sponsor Pack but is interested in participating at the trade show, a copy can be downloaded from www.autoramacarshow.co.nz, or via email from the team at info@sivents.co.nz.