2010

Event Analysis

October 6 – 10

Charleston Boulevard Rod Run & Doo Wop StudENT Corps: Marshall University / West Virginia State University

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary 3

Background 5

Methodology 6

Findings 7

Appendix 15

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Executive Summary

The Charleston Boulevard Rod Run and Doo Wop provided an opportunity, for me as a multiple

event attendee of a variety of automotive events east of the Mississippi, to compare and contrast

what West Virginia has to offer. Additionally, it provided a “fresh” perspective from students of

Marshall University and West Virginia State University that had never attended such an event,

regardless of place.

This five day event, including cruise-in, has now been held for five years and appears to have

built a solid foundation, as evidenced in the Findings – Word-of-mouth awareness accounts for a

large percentage of those in attendance, next to Advertisement and Previously Attended.

Additionally, of those that were interviewed for the Event Analysis, areas such as:

Scotland, Canada, Michigan, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida were represented.

Those that attended, planned to stay within the Charleston area, as evidenced in the Findings –

26%, representing nearly 200 people for multiple nights – in excess of 250 Overnight Stays, with

various lodging price ranges that provided a multiplier effect for the local economy.

Lodging accommodations represented within the Charleston area: Holiday Inn, Days Inn,

Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, Marriott, Mardi Gras Casino Hotel, Comfort Inn, Red

Roof Inn, and Recreational Vehicles, along with Friends.

Staying Overnight

Yes: Overnight

No: Overnight

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Adding to the local economy, those that were interviewed had or were planning to spend

approximately $45,001 – as evidenced in the Findings, which compounds the multiplier effect

(using conservative estimate of $1 = $5), not to mention the Overnight Stays too.

The Charleston Boulevard Rod Run and Doo Wop, is much more than “just a car show” – as

evidenced in the Findings, when asking the attendees:

What one event at the Rod Run and Doo Wop, do you like the most?

Responses:

Burnout, Fireworks, Music and Entertainment, Magic Island Events (Truck Pull,

Mud Race, etc.), Women’s World, FOOD, Hydraulics, Sternwheelers, Swap

Meet, and Cars (naturally).

Lastly, as mentioned in 2009:

“..the challenge remains in attracting a younger demographic and capturing “life-long”

attendees / participants.”

The increase in exposure, targeting the younger demographic previously

mentioned, can be accomplished by increased usage of social media (Facebook,

YouTube, etc.), which will in-turn, increase exposure to all demographics.

Money Spent

Direct

Indirect

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Background

This was our (StudENT Corps) second opportunity, with the first being in 2009, to work with the

Charleston Boulevard Rod Run and Doo Wop organization.

Unique to 2010 was the involvement of students in multiple classes, not only from West

Virginia State University, as in 2009, but also Marshall University.

Two schools and multiple classes within the Charleston area coming together

for one project.

Many conversations and experiences were had from the students, both from an academic setting

and community involvement. As in 2009, the students experienced first-hand, the importance of

marketing research and all the intricacies of project management.

Based upon several conversations with Rusty Flowers – Charleston Boulevard Rod Run and Doo

Wop, along with other individuals / organizations, it was determined the following attendee

information would be of interest for 2010:

Overnight stays – number of days

Hotel Name

Amount of money spent during the event for: entertainment, food, shopping, etc.

Additionally, the following information was gathered:

Demographic

Promotional awareness

Most liked event

Likelihood of repeat attendance

Upon the conclusion of the 2010 Fall Semester, a Final Report – Event Analysis would be

available for review and discussion.

The Event Analysis will provide not only an opportunity for the Charleston Boulevard Rod Run

and Doo Wop to gather additional information in the years to come, but also for the students to

be exposed to such a “love affair” that Americans have had with cars.

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Methodology

With the Charleston Boulevard Rod Run and Doo Wop covering five days – Wednesday –

Sunday – a sample representation of each day was desired to accurately provide a “snapshot” of

those in attendance.

The following days / times were represented:

Wednesday – PM (Cruise-in)

Thursday – AM

Thursday – PM

Friday – AM

Friday – PM

Saturday – AM

Saturday – PM

Sunday – AM

The cruise-in and boulevard was canvassed with each student given a goal of twenty completed

interviews. Students were typically assigned times in teams of two, to ensure complete coverage

of the boulevard.

In essence, the following was conducted:

Quantitative Research – Descriptive:

Questions - limited probing

o Questionnaires read / responses gathered at the cruise-in and on boulevard, i.e. in-

person intercept

Sample size – large

o Random respondent selection / day – time dependent upon student availability

Three hundred twenty-four (324) questionnaires were completed

Amount of information from each respondent – varied

o Questionnaire design consisted of nine (9) questions

Type of analysis – statistical, summation

o Software – Statistical Package for the Social Sciences

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Findings

Wednesday – PM (Questionnaire reformatted and/or modified due to space limitation)

Questionnaires Completed – 10

1. Do you have an automobile in the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Yes No 50% 50%

2. Are you staying overnight? (If Yes, ask a. b. and c.; if not, then 3) Yes No 10% 90%

a. If Yes, how many nights 1 2 3 4 0% 0% 0% 100%

b. If yes, how many people? 1(self) 2-3 4-5 5+ 0% 100% 0% 0%

c. Name of Hotel (See listing in Executive Summary)

3. How many total days have you / will you be attending? 1 2 3 4 30% 10% 20% 40%

4. How much money have you spent / anticipate on spending during the event for: Entertainment, Food, Shopping, and Other: $1,323 (Total) 5. Where do you currently reside (live)? Tri-State (WV-OH-KY) Outside Tri-State

100%

6. What is your age? Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+

0% 10% 10% 20% 40% 20%

7. How or where did you hear about the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Residence 0% Advertisement (Radio, Television/Newspaper, Internet) 30% Passing by/ Drive by/Billboard 10% Attended last year or previously 30% Word-Of-Mouth/Friend 30% Different car show 0%

8. What one event do you like the most?

(See listing in Executive Summary)

9. Do you plan to attend next year? Yes No Maybe 100% 0% 0%

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Thursday – AM (Questionnaire reformatted and/or modified due to space limitation)

Questionnaires Completed – 44

1. Do you have an automobile in the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Yes No 36% 64%

2. Are you staying overnight? (If Yes, ask a. b. and c.; if not, then 3) Yes No 25% 75%

a. If Yes, how many nights 1 2 3 4 9% 36.5% 18% 36.5%

b. If yes, how many people? 1(self) 2-3 4-5 5+ 27% 73% 0% 0%

c. Name of Hotel (See listing in Executive Summary)

3. How many total days have you / will you be attending? 1 2 3 4 27% 23% 7% 43%

4. How much money have you spent / anticipate on spending during the event for: Entertainment, Food, Shopping, and Other: $3,995 (Total) 5. Where do you currently reside (live)? Tri-State (WV-OH-KY) Outside Tri-State

93% 7%

6. What is your age? Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+

5% 7% 14% 37% 25% 12%

7. How or where did you hear about the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Residence 12% Advertisement (Radio, Television/Newspaper, Internet) 12% Passing by/ Drive by/Billboard 7% Attended last year or previously 21% Word-Of-Mouth/Friend 36% Different car show 12%

8. What one event do you like the most?

(See listing in Executive Summary)

9. Do you plan to attend next year? Yes No Maybe 84% 16% 0%

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Thursday – PM (Questionnaire reformatted and/or modified due to space limitation)

Questionnaires Completed – 80

1. Do you have an automobile in the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Yes No 31% 69%

2. Are you staying overnight? (If Yes, ask a. b. and c.; if not, then 3) Yes No 35% 65%

a. If Yes, how many nights 1 2 3 4 0% 29% 50% 21%

b. If yes, how many people? 1(self) 2-3 4-5 5+ 7% 82% 0% 11%

c. Name of Hotel (See listing in Executive Summary)

3. How many total days have you / will you be attending? 1 2 3 4 20% 25% 20% 35%

4. How much money have you spent / anticipate on spending during the event for: Entertainment, Food, Shopping, and Other: $15,725 (Total) 5. Where do you currently reside (live)? Tri-State (WV-OH-KY) Outside Tri-State

86% 14%

6. What is your age? Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+

0% 14% 16% 20% 35% 15%

7. How or where did you hear about the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Residence 18% Advertisement (Radio, Television/Newspaper, Internet) 40% Passing by/ Drive by/Billboard 4% Attended last year or previously 18% Word-Of-Mouth/Friend 18% Different car show 2%

8. What one event do you like the most?

(See listing in Executive Summary)

9. Do you plan to attend next year? Yes No Maybe 94% 1% 5%

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Friday – AM (Questionnaire reformatted and/or modified due to space limitation)

Questionnaires Completed – 20

1. Do you have an automobile in the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Yes No 40% 60%

2. Are you staying overnight? (If Yes, ask a. b. and c.; if not, then 3) Yes No 25% 75%

a. If Yes, how many nights 1 2 3 4 0% 40% 20% 40%

b. If yes, how many people? 1(self) 2-3 4-5 5+ 60% 40% 0% 0%

c. Name of Hotel (See listing in Executive Summary)

3. How many total days have you / will you be attending? 1 2 3 4 25% 25% 5% 45%

4. How much money have you spent / anticipate on spending during the event for: Entertainment, Food, Shopping, and Other: $2,175 (Total) 5. Where do you currently reside (live)? Tri-State (WV-OH-KY) Outside Tri-State

80% 20%

6. What is your age? Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+

0% 10% 5% 10% 50% 25%

7. How or where did you hear about the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Residence 0% Advertisement (Radio, Television/Newspaper, Internet) 65% Passing by/ Drive by/Billboard 0% Attended last year or previously 10% Word-Of-Mouth/Friend 25% Different car show 0%

8. What one event do you like the most?

(See listing in Executive Summary)

9. Do you plan to attend next year? Yes No Maybe 80% 20% 0%

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Friday – PM (Questionnaire reformatted and/or modified due to space limitation)

Questionnaires Completed – 70

1. Do you have an automobile in the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Yes No 23% 77%

2. Are you staying overnight? (If Yes, ask a. b. and c.; if not, then 3) Yes No 28% 72%

a. If Yes, how many nights 1 2 3 4 15% 35% 30% 20%

b. If yes, how many people? 1(self) 2-3 4-5 5+ 30% 50% 5% 15%

c. Name of Hotel (See listing in Executive Summary)

3. How many total days have you / will you be attending? 1 2 3 4 33% 31% 11% 25%

4. How much money have you spent / anticipate on spending during the event for: Entertainment, Food, Shopping, and Other: $11,245 (Total) 5. Where do you currently reside (live)? Tri-State (WV-OH-KY) Outside Tri-State

84% 16%

6. What is your age? Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+

5% 16% 14% 26% 32% 7%

7. How or where did you hear about the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Residence 7% Advertisement (Radio, Television/Newspaper, Internet) 47% Passing by/ Drive by/Billboard 1% Attended last year or previously 16% Word-Of-Mouth/Friend 29% Different car show 0%

8. What one event do you like the most?

(See listing in Executive Summary)

9. Do you plan to attend next year? Yes No Maybe 90% 10% 0%

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Saturday – AM (Questionnaire reformatted and/or modified due to space limitation)

Questionnaires Completed – 20

1. Do you have an automobile in the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Yes No 15% 85%

2. Are you staying overnight? (If Yes, ask a. b. and c.; if not, then 3) Yes No 10% 90%

a. If Yes, how many nights 1 2 3 4 0% 0% 100% 0%

b. If yes, how many people? 1(self) 2-3 4-5 5+ 0% 100% 0% 0%

c. Name of Hotel (See listing in Executive Summary)

3. How many total days have you / will you be attending? 1 2 3 4 50% 20% 15% 60%

4. How much money have you spent / anticipate on spending during the event for: Entertainment, Food, Shopping, and Other: $850 (Total) 5. Where do you currently reside (live)? Tri-State (WV-OH-KY) Outside Tri-State

100% 0%

6. What is your age? Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+

0% 25% 20% 30% 15% 10%

7. How or where did you hear about the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Residence 0% Advertisement (Radio, Television/Newspaper, Internet) 60% Passing by/ Drive by/Billboard 5% Attended last year or previously 10% Word-Of-Mouth/Friend 25% Different car show 0%

8. What one event do you like the most?

(See listing in Executive Summary)

9. Do you plan to attend next year? Yes No Maybe 95% 0% 5%

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Saturday – PM (Questionnaire reformatted and/or modified due to space limitation)

Questionnaires Completed – 40

1. Do you have an automobile in the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Yes No 35% 65%

2. Are you staying overnight? (If Yes, ask a. b. and c.; if not, then 3) Yes No 15% 85%

a. If Yes, how many nights 1 2 3 4 17% 50% 33% 0%

b. If yes, how many people? 1(self) 2-3 4-5 5+ 17% 83% 0% 0%

c. Name of Hotel (See listing in Executive Summary)

3. How many total days have you / will you be attending? 1 2 3 4 48% 27% 15% 10%

4. How much money have you spent / anticipate on spending during the event for: Entertainment, Food, Shopping, and Other: $1,389 (Total) 5. Where do you currently reside (live)? Tri-State (WV-OH-KY) Outside Tri-State

95% 5%

6. What is your age? Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+

0% 23% 25% 12% 38% 2%

7. How or where did you hear about the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Residence 0% Advertisement (Radio, Television/Newspaper, Internet) 60% Passing by/ Drive by/Billboard 0% Attended last year or previously 10% Word-Of-Mouth/Friend 30% Different car show 0%

8. What one event do you like the most?

(See listing in Executive Summary)

9. Do you plan to attend next year? Yes No Maybe 85% 15% 0%

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Sunday – AM (Questionnaire reformatted and/or modified due to space limitation)

Questionnaires Completed – 40

1. Do you have an automobile in the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Yes No 70% 30%

2. Are you staying overnight? (If Yes, ask a. b. and c.; if not, then 3) Yes No 28% 72%

a. If Yes, how many nights 1 2 3 4 0% 36% 36% 28%

b. If yes, how many people? 1(self) 2-3 4-5 5+ 27% 36% 10% 27%

c. Name of Hotel (See listing in Executive Summary)

3. How many total days have you / will you be attending? 1 2 3 4 8% 5% 13% 74%

4. How much money have you spent / anticipate on spending during the event for: Entertainment, Food, Shopping, and Other: $8,299 (Total) 5. Where do you currently reside (live)? Tri-State (WV-OH-KY) Outside Tri-State

95% 5%

6. What is your age? Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+

2% 2% 8% 30% 33% 25%

7. How or where did you hear about the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Residence 5% Advertisement (Radio, Television/Newspaper, Internet) 33% Passing by/ Drive by/Billboard 0% Attended last year or previously 38% Word-Of-Mouth/Friend 24% Different car show 0%

8. What one event do you like the most?

(See listing in Executive Summary)

9. Do you plan to attend next year? Yes No Maybe 100% 0% 0%

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Appendix

Questionnaire

5th Annual Charleston Boulevard Rod Run & Doo Wop StudENT Corps: Marshall University & West Virginia State University

Please introduce yourself: name and organizations (above); prior to reading the introduction and each question carefully while circling the appropriate answer and notating responses for opened ended questions.

Introduction Our success over the past four years could not have been achieved without you, the classic cars lovers. This year, as word of this special event spreads on TV networks, through newspapers, and other venues, we expect even more car owners and spectators to come to Charleston from throughout the United States and Canada. With that being said, we would like to gather some information about you. Rest assured all responses will be reported in statistical form.

1. Do you have an automobile in the Rod Run & Doo Wop? Yes No

2. Are you staying overnight? (If Yes, ask a. b. and c.; if No, skip to 3) Yes No a. How many nights 1 2 3 4 b. How many people 1(self) 2-3 4-5 5+ c. Name of hotel

3. How many total days have you attended / will be attending? 1 2 3 4

4. How much money have you spent / anticipate on spending during the event for: Entertainment Food Shopping Other

5. Where do you currently reside (live)? a. Country b. State c. Town

6. What is your age? Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65 or older

7. How or where did you hear about the Rod Run & Doo Wop?

8. What one event at the Rod Run & Doo Wop, do you like the most?

9. Do you plan to attend next year? Yes No

Thank you for your time and information! Enjoy the show!!

Interviewer Name Date Time