This was a first for this location as a area trade show and car/truck show! We held two like this before in Kansas City but when Covid hit they canceled them. So we had to start over for the Ozark show which turned out great for a first year.
The show was supposed to bring in 4 sate area shops, manufacturers and services for our motorsports enthusiasts. We did fill the small space we had with a little bit of everything from all venues of motorsports. It took a while to place everyone properly so it could flow for someone walking the hall.
What made this Expo Center unique was the hotel resort attached to it so you could stay in the rooms at night, along with eating and refreshments right next to it. We did fill the hotel but they were not used to the traffic since Covid along with worker shortage so we had our challenges during the weekend.
Even with the challenges most people staying and attending had a blast visiting with local motor heads and each other during the weekend. We are already discussing next year and what changes need to be made to make it better and bigger.
Of course heavy on the truck side since I had many people come in but we had circle track represented along with muscle cars, rat rods and vintage trucks. Everyone enjoyed talking to all vendors since many had over 30 years experience in what they had done for the industry.
The weather started out warm the day before and during setup but like Missouri in the winter it fell from 70 degrees to 30s overnight with even snow flurries on Saturday. This put a damper on our car/truck show but some came and many were inside the competition. The judges had to wear coats to go outside to view the entries but everyone was a winner.
These type of shows take a lot to setup and especially for the vendors to haul everything in for the show but after they seemed to think it was worth it and want to return for next year. We had a pretty good crowd of enthusiasts come in Saturday and of course lighter on Friday and Sunday.
Children were welcome and free under 12 with many things for them to see like the monster truck, the rat rod truck that they could draw on with sidewalk chalk and of course the apparel trailer! The resort also had a arcade right outside in the open area before the expo center.
To expand we will need more space, more parking and more places to eat and relax! But what a good problem to have after the first year.
See everyone next year at the Performance Expo!
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.6026245944076253&type=3
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