For Immediate Release

Zephyrhills, Florida-based Events to be Latest Expansion by Carlisle Events

A Pair of Collector Car Events Push Company Total to 16 by 2013

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Expansion is once again the theme for Carlisle Events in 2012 and the decade for that matter. Beginning in November of 2012 with the 28th Annual Fall AutoFest (November 8-11) in Zephyrhills, Florida and continuing with a similar event, Zephyrhills Winter AutoFest (February 21-24), Carlisle Events will own and operate the ever-popular gatherings held annually within the Sunshine State. This acquisition increases the amount of shows produced by Carlisle Events to 16, up from 10 as recently January 1, 2011.

Zephyrhills is located just north of Tampa and its 207-acre property, known as Festival Park, sits right off U.S. Highway 301 in Pasco County. The new additions to Carlisle's schedule are that of a collector car swap meet, car corral and auto auction. These popular activities at Zephyrhills are similar to a quartet of events in which Carlisle Events has had involvement dating back to as early as 1974 when Fall Carlisle launched and was known as Post War '74. A more recent addition, Spring/Fall Auburn (Auburn, Indiana) launched with a joint partnership with Auctions America by RM in January of 2011.

By taking ownership of the Zephyrhills events, Carlisle is venturing into yet another automotive hot bed. The 2012 Winter AutoFest saw nearly 500 cars cross the auction block with bids ranging from lower four-figure amounts to nearly six figures in some cases. With never-ending sun and fun, the swap meet and car corral aspects of these events are also heavily populated with buyers and sellers alike, all looking for great show deals and unique restoration pieces and parts.

"Carlisle Events has always been excited about the automobile industry," noted co-owner and co-founder Bill Miller, Jr. "Having grown up in the new car business and always appreciating collector cars, with Chip Miller as a partner, we ventured into the collector car hobby in 1974. Now, with a second generation of Millers leading the way, Chip's son Lance and my son Bill III, we've expanded our footprint outside of Carlisle. Events range from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania to Auburn, Indiana and with our newest addition in Zephyrhills, Florida, I couldn't be happier with the direction of our company." Miller continued, "Having acquired the famous fall and winter events in Zephyrhills, I have to commend Mike Sierra and his family on all that they've put into the shows for nearly four decades. Carlisle Events will carry on that legacy beginning this fall and I want to thank all our loyal vendors and fans who have been part of the Carlisle family for so many years. I also want to invite them to enjoy the beautiful weather in sunny Florida this fall and winter by attending the Zephyrhills Swap Meet and Auction powered by Carlisle Events!"

Certain aspects of Carlisle's involvement with the Zephyrhills events are still being worked out, including details surrounding November's Fall AutoFest. Anyone interested in being part of the November weekend should contact Zephyrhills staff direct at 813-782-0835 or Carlisle Events at 717-243-7855. Further, beginning with Winter AutoFest, swap meet, car corral spaces and auction consignments will be handled exclusively through Carlisle Events. In addition, Carlisle staff will be onsite during the fall event to meet with clients, work side by side with Zephyrhills staff and pre-register enthusiasts for the February winter event.

Finally, due to expansion, additional employment opportunities are available. Interested parties should inquire by calling 717-243-7855 or visit www.CarlisleEvents.com as openings and job specific descriptions are made available in the coming weeks.

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Journalist note: Information about Carlisle Events, its event listings, auction offerings and the Carlisle Expo Center is available to journalists by phone:


Michael Garland
Media Specialist
717-243-7855 ext. 133
michaelg@carlisleevents.com

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