A Different Kind of Concours
Jason Wenig
Motorcar Cavalcade
Co-Executive Director
The key was to be different...
…in creating a world-class automotive concours. The challenge was accepted by myself and Co-Executive Director Floyd Rag by introducing a new style of event. We focused on making the concours a lifestyle event that would appeal equally to women and men alike, we reset the tone for what a great car event should offer. That meant including fashion, art, music, great cuisine & libations, and an extravagant social element.
Next, we created judging classes emphasizing individual design features, allowing us to group antique, classic, and modern collector cars on the same show field on equal footing. We enlisted a remarkable group of judging experts steeped in the collector car industry and “civilian” judges from outside the hobby to give the event a fresh perspective. People like musicians, artists, actors, writers, athletes, and entrepreneurs who may see their own beauty in the array of wonderful automobiles on the lawn.
...magnificent cars and beautifully-attired, interesting people...
The interaction between these two dynamics is unique. We gathered these fascinating people from all over the world, and the electricity they bring complements the eclectic nature of our event.
With judges in place, we turned our focus to the dynamic attributes and interesting elements of the automobile. For instance, if the class is named “Power,” it doesn’t necessarily mean big horsepower. It considers steam, electric, hybrid, diesel, etc. So, the eclectic openness of these classes allows us to evaluate very different cars under that class.
The peripheral effect of this style of class judging is to lower the exhibitors’ and judges’ anxiety. We wanted to move away from the tense interactions on the judging field and return to a point where everyone can enjoy each of the cars for what they are without the unintended consequences of competition.
We view the Motorcar Cavalcade experience like that of a theatrical show.
All told, our event is quite the production! Theatergoers may even notice the similarities between our Program and a Broadway Playbill. That’s no accident. We view the Motorcar Cavalcade experience like that of a theatrical show, with beautiful set pieces (the cars) and a cast of stars (our wonderful exhibitors, spectators, and judges) all dressed in the finest wardrobe (the fashion scene on the lawn) at the grandest stage in South Florida (the sunny, manicured grounds of the prestigious JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa), all wrapped in iconic Miami style.
All of us are proud of Motorcar Cavalcade’s evolution.
The diversity of the show field extends to the exhibitors and spectators, both young and old, all brought together to share an extraordinary experience. Somewhat magically, Motorcar Cavalcade manages to be both exclusive and inclusive at the same time.
At the risk of vastly understating all the accomplishments of our Concours, we simply wanted to curate a sunny South Florida day filled with magnificent cars and beautifully attired, interesting people indulging in great food and drink and sharing their passion for the automobile. I believe and hope you agree that we have succeeded beyond our dreams.
Motorcar Cavalcade manages to be both exclusive and inclusive at the same time.
