Subie Events – Behind the Subaru Event Curtain in 2024
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The best way for us to learn is through our own experiences and the experiences of others. That's what's best about being the part of a community, a tribe, or a fandom of like-minded individuals that have no buffer on their enthusiasm or chains on their passions. A powerful tribe is one that embraces the weak as well as the strong and encourages its members to be who they are without compromise or debate. Historically, we know that tribes and/or communities of people have always been moved to gather whether it'd be to celebrate a significant event, support someone in need, educate to better their way of living, or to just show those within the group that they are not alone and that they truly care about them as unique individuals.
Photo Credit: Carolyn Asman
Many years ago, Theodore Roosevelt said, “No one cares what you know until they know that you care” – a phrase that should ring true to anyone who has encountered an obstacle, asked for help, and then has struggled down a long trail of situations looking for someone who can, at the very least, assist with the search for a solution. Large communities of creative individuals demand the ability to interact, collaborate, share, ideas, and communicate about themselves and the developments bred from their inspirations. Pulling together and meeting as a single strength is the best and most powerful way to exhibit this hunger for community and creative collaboration with others who truly care.
Photo Credit: Ryan Stanson
Pulling Us Together
As we know, the Subaru community is large, enthusiastic, creative, and dedicated. Our tribe, woven with uniqueness, individualism, and diversity, is like no other group of enthusiasts in the automotive world. Between the lovers of road burning performance and the dedication that feeds their undying, adventurous, off-road spirit, Subaru has cultivated a culture that has been growing quickly since their brand captured the hearts of the American market. Since the Subaru WRX was launched in Japan in 1992, their “World Rally Experimental” has made a significant impact in the auto world and become a coveted platform for enthusiasts globally. In 1996, the Subaru Outback would move forward in history to be the most well-known and cherished “sports utility wagon” – a category born when the vehicle drove off the assembly line.
Photo Credit: Ryan Stanson
Both vehicles and their followers come from opposite ends of the enthusiast spectrum, but, unlike any other brand, cross pollinate within the same fandom and desire to band together as one supportive world. Statistics show that Subaru ended their fiscal year in 2023 by selling over 590,000 passenger cars in the United States – which naturally has grown this nation and created more of a need for support and fellowship. Today, sprinkled within our ranks, are several unsung heroes and organizers who give this community the ability to gather, celebrate, admire, inspire, and encourage each other’s individuality and creativity.
Photo Credit: Carolyn Asman
Fueling Inspiration through Subie Events
If you have attended a large automotive event and wondered how much blood, sweat, and tears has gone into its planning, set up, and implementation, you are not alone, but unfortunately you may be a small percentage of the majority who attends and takes the rest for granted. Behind the curtain – sometimes unseen and underappreciated - stand the founders and staff that operate Subie Events , true wizards of the enthusiast world that unleash magic several times per year to let us know that this growing family of ours is stronger than ever. The crew at Subie Events has been waving this wand for several years and shows no signs of slowing their forward momentum.
Photo Credit: Carolyn Asman
During the coming months in 2024, Subie Events will organize, coordinate, and operate six individual events throughout the country, which include: Wicked Big Meet in Stafford Springs, CT., Subiefest California in Arcadia, CA., Boxerfest in York, PA., Subiefest Midwest in Joliet, IL, Subiefest Florida in Daytona, FL., and Subiefest Texas which will end the year in Dallas. These events are not your typical car show filled with eye candy and overblown vendor trade opportunities, they were conceived to bring this community together with pride, affection, and the spirit of making memories and lasting friendships through the cars they all drive and love. Historically, each event brings thousands of Subaru vehicles and their dedicated owners together for a one-day event where they can explore, dream, collaborate, and learn everything about Subaru.
Photo Credit: Ryan Stanson
Running the Show
Mixing a large collection of modified Subarus representing all models, years, styles, and types with music, vendors, food, and racing has allowed Subie Events to make its mark as an anticipated national and international enthusiast destination since its launch over 15 years ago. In line with the spirit that drives many ideas in the automotive space, Subie Events has taken an exciting and challenging journey as an organization while working hard to be relevant, valuable, and supportive to the community. Subiefest was founded by Ryan Douthit in 2006, but after several changes and acquisitions Subie Events finally solidified the overall foundation of the organization years later. “We’ve always been a team of 100% lifelong Subaru enthusiasts from across the country”, explains Subie Events General Manager Khanh Duong. “During that time, we created more sibling events in different regions such as Boxerfest and Big Northwest before re-acquiring the rights to Subiefest in 2017. At that time, we reinvented the event from the ground up and went on to create Subiefest Midwest, Subiefest Florida, and new for 2023, Subiefest Texas.”
Photo Credit: Dylan Maucher
Now that the organization has established a solid root system and methodology that can be categorized as a building block on an ever-expanding culture and community, Khanh and his team of inspired enthusiasts can sit back envision things to come while keeping their hands on the wheel just as firmly as they did when this venture took its first steps. “Many of us gathered over our shared interest in these cars, and have since bonded like family”, Khanh explains with pride. “This applies to our team, our volunteers, our sponsors, and our attendees.”
Photo Credit: Ryan Stanson
Substance, Attendance and Impact
These events have established themselves not only as a national gathering for fun and fellowship, but they stand unique for their highly anticipated sponsored car shows which attract multiple vehicle classes and hundreds of participants from around the county. “The TR Motul All-Subaru Car Show had over 300 applicants”, Khanh said, “We narrowed down to 200 of the best builds to be displayed at the event. “We’re not necessarily looking for quantity of mods, but rather the quality of the full build”, he added. “Well executed vehicles that have a theme and vision and are built to that, whether that be a high-performance track build, an overland vehicle, or anything in between, will get our attention. Khanh and his team realize how much work, time, and investment goes into these modifications, so it is their top priority to acknowledge that drive and spirit by carefully reviewing the creativity of each applicant who often come from all corners of the world.
Photo Credit: Ryan Stanson
Between the numbers of those who attend as enthusiasts, participants, and vendors, the level of interest and the momentum of spirit is clear when you are on site and feel the energy build each hour. “We gathered over 7,100 Subaru enthusiasts at Subiefest CA in 2023”, Khanh confirms. “This was the largest event of its kind on the west coast…Wicked Big Meet… gathered over 8000 Subaru enthusiasts in June 2023.” This is no small accomplishment for this organized and seriously driven team considering the number of moving parts and logistics that are confronted within a tight 24-hour period of time after the gates are open. “Our 16 core team members (based all over the US, all former volunteers) and over 110 volunteers work together to make the events a success”, Khanh said. “Many of our volunteers worked 12+ hour shifts and then refused to leave at the end of the day, showing their dedication to the event and the community.”
Photo Credit: Carolyn Asman
Now and the Future
We now move forward through a new year of unknowns and joyful anticipation to learn, create, and be inspired by our vehicles and their potential. The somewhat invisible and always dynamic team at Subie Events has already hit the ground running as they construct, develop, and prepare to execute their battle plans for the newest round of gatherings for 2024. In a marketplace that is both challenging and exciting, Khanh’s team knows the importance of flexibility and engagement more as each day passes. Events like Wicked Big Meet, Boxerfest, and Subiefest are more than automotive events that exist purely to satisfy the commercial expectations of the manufacturers and corporate sponsorships that may be tethered to their every motivation and movement.
Photo Credit: Jason Nugent
These are important, culture-building events needed by the Subaru community to keep their population unique, inspired, and supported to stand alone in a predictable world lacking diversity, passion, and substance. The Subie Events team is constantly navigating through change and keeping its thumb on the pulse of innovation to keep the tribe coming back year after year and event after event. “Our current plan for 2024 is to continue improving the events currently on our tour”, Khanh said confidently. “However, we’re constantly working with our partners and listening to our community…Being able to come together and share our passion and watch our community grow is a dream come true, and for that we couldn’t be more thankful.”
