TAKING THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD! Barrett-Jackson travels to Connecticut
June 17, 2016
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Although The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions® calls Scottsdale, Arizona, home, every few months the company rolls up the carpets and brings the excitement that is Barrett-Jackson to another city to produce another action-packed event. With over 50 full-time team members, hundreds of people on the support teams and tens of thousands of pounds of equipment, taking the show on the road has been fine-tuned – just like a high-output engine.
The setup for an out-of-town auction generally takes months of planning. The travel coordination starts 90 to 120 days in advance so everyone knows where they need to be and when they need to be there. With teams (and equipment) arriving on-site in staggered increments according to required skill sets, the operations team is generally the first to arrive. Other departments follow as needed. It is not unusual for a Barrett-Jackson team member to run into several co-workers at the airport who are on their way to work at the event as well. It brings a small-town feel to big-city life!
From the skyboxes and live TV setup to the famous auction block and the massive American flag that hangs above it, there many, many elements required to put on The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions®!
At each event, the entire arena, including the auction block, car tents, offices, exhibitor spaces, TV equipment – and of course that glorious American flag that hangs above the auction podium – are set up according to a master plan. One of the more interesting aspects of the setup is the workings of Velocity and Discovery. The networks send more than 80 people, six TV trucks (including a satellite uplink truck and conference room trailer), over 20 cameras and countless miles of cables and lighting to manage the incredible timing and technology that goes into producing a live broadcast.
The massive auction block – with all of its accessories – is shipped in pieces and carefully packed in two semi-trailers. It takes a solid week or so to set up the famous stage, with several details being taken into consideration. The weight of the auction vehicles is always a factor – some of those ultra-cool all-steel collectible cars, buses and boats that have crossed the block in the past have weighed several tons. The turning angle onto the block is also taken into consideration. If a vehicle can’t make the corner, adjustments are made. Barrett-Jackson has been known to use giant turntables to facilitate the auction vehicles entering and exiting the block.
Barrett-Jackson’s hardware and software technology departments set up the “command center” of the entire auction system in the offices and on the block while it is being built. Wiring, cables, monitors, microphones, telephones and more each have to be tested and retested during setup to make sure nothing goes awry during the event and during the live television broadcasts. One important system that remains behind the scenes, however, is the backup power. Each auction has literally tons of tremendous, instantaneous, standby power generators, just waiting to rescue the event from a power hiccup or outage.
Whether watching the Barrett-Jackson auctions on television, live streaming or in person, the team always strives to make everything seamless for its fans. From the auction block to the staging lanes and beyond, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions® knows how to hit the road!
For up-to-date event information and the vehicles on the Northeast Auction docket, click HERE.