The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d'Elegance

News & Media

December 20, 2010

Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival selects its Volunteers of the Year

Hilton Head Island, SC – The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, relies heavily on its strong volunteer force to help with much of the planning and execution.  From sourcing of the vehicles that are on display to setting up the event’s infrastructure to greeting attendees and exhibitors on-site during the show, the event could not be what it is today without the overwhelmingly dedicated volunteers.  And, just recently, the event took time to recognize three of its devoted volunteer managers for what they bring to the event year in and year out.

Scott Butville, Joe Elam and Tony Myers were all selected as the Festival’s 2010 Volunteers of the Year.  “Each year we select from the pool of volunteer managers, who work year round, that have made a significant impact on the event,” said Carolyn Vanagel, the Festival’s Executive Director.  “These recipients provide critical support behind the scenes, and there is no way we could continue to build each year without them.”

Scott Butville, the Facilities Manager at the Savannah/Hilton Head Speed Classic vintage racing event on Savannah’s Hutchinson Island, is responsible for getting the event’s infrastructure completely set up and torn down within a week’s time.  Joe Elam, who has been with the event since its inception in 2002, helps with the Hilton Head Island side of the event, assisting with set-up and tear-down.  And, Tony Myers, manages all of the Hilton Head Island event’s services including everything from parking of general public both on-site and off to security to positioning of exhibitors’ rigs both on and off property to the shuttle service that is provided every year free of charge to those attendees parking off-site.

“These guys have some of the toughest, most demanding jobs and yet they continue to come back and help every year.  They provide important feedback that helps us improve the event year in and year out and they represent the backbone of the organization – its volunteers,” said Tom Conner, Manager of the Volunteers since 2004.

The Volunteers of the Year were recognized at the Festival’s annual volunteer manager holiday party.  “It’s a great time to thank all of our volunteer managers who dedicate so much of their time to making the event a success and to celebrate the results of the event,” said Vanagel.   

This year’s event, its ninth anniversary, achieved record attendance with 13,000 attendees, 47% of whom were from outside of a 50 mile radius.  Over 20% of those visiting for the event stayed for 9 days or longer with an average stay of 4.4 nights, representing over $5.3 million of economic impact for the Island.  And, in an economically challenging time, sponsor dollars were up from 2009 with an increase of 20% from national sponsors. 

“We have a lot to be thankful for as we head into the holiday season and a lot to look forward to as we begin the planning for our 10-year anniversary in 2011,” said Vanagel.  “Next year marks a big stepping stone for the event and it will be fun to be along for the ride.”

The 2011 event is already generating excitement amongst its organizers as it marks a significant celebration, the 10-year anniversary.  The dates have been set for October 29 – November 6, 2011 with BMW designated as the event’s Honored Marque in recognition of their involvement since the first show.  More information for the 2011 event will follow. 

Sign-ups for volunteering at the 2011 Festival, which will again be sponsored by Beaufort Memorial Hospital, will begin online at www.hhiconcours.com come spring 2011.

For more information, please visit www.hhiconcours.com. 

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