Articles Reviewing the 2021 Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance

Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance Coverage

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 Gasparilla Concours dElegance is a fabulous organization, sharing excellence in automotive history while raising funds to help children with disabilities. The organization is run by automotive and organizational experts, as well as dedicated and generous volunteers. 

 Gasparilla Concours D Elegance
Well organized, highly efficient, when ever a question arose there was always someone nearby, great people to volunteer for. Would do it again 

 Well organized and great attendance. Especially for its first year. Event was located right on the downtown river with good access and parking. 

Shriners Healthcare for Children-Florida was fortunate to benefit from the inaugural Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance and it was a spectacular event! It was an ambitious endeavor to plan and host the first event and it exceeded everyone's expectations. Our patients, families and staff were very excited to be a part of it. They raised over $20,000 to benefit our seating program that designs and builds custom wheelchairs for our young patients. We are very grateful to the Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance organizers and participants for supporting our mission in such a meaningful way! With gratitude,
Alicia Argiz-Lyons, Director of Development, Shriners Healthcare for Children-Florida 

 I have been with the Gasparilla Concours since the beginning when Brando and Joanne Pistorius unveiled their idea of having this event in 2017. I have never worked with anyone that have worked so hard putting together a dream and followed it through like they have. They have put a team together from every walk of life, that have a passion to work hard for the reward of helping those in need. The Shriner’s Hospital was the goal to generate enough money to pay for the much needed wheelchairs to help those that are less fortunate and can’t afford them. I was amazed how many volunteered wanted to be on this mission, to make it an event the first year so profitable, it would grow for years to come and fulfill that dream. The 2019 event was a success and now the work has already started for an even greater 2020 Gasparilla Concours d’elegance. 

I got involved with Gasparilla Concours d' Elegance in September of 2018. I volunteered to help with the organizational committee with the entertainment for the event. I had a lot of fun planning the event and to see it all come together was a great sight! My husband and his parents also got involved the day of as volunteers. It made me so happy to see the Shriners children and families come out and have a day of fun. At the end, we raised over $20,000 to give to Shriners for wheelchairs for children in need. It was a great way to give back to the community while also adding to the seasonal fun of the Gasparilla season here in Tampa Bay. 

 Last years inaugural Gasparilla Concours d’Elegance couldn’t have been more successful.

The all volunteer staff lead by the Pistorius’ was able able to fulfill all of its goals, including presenting the Tampa Shriners Hospital for Children with a $22,000 check for the kids.

It’s great to see what can be accomplished by a group of caring, big hearted individuals who feel blessed and just want to pay it forward for the kids.

This years event is poised to be even bigger and better than last years. 

 I heard about the Gasparilla Concours D Elegance and being a car guy wanted to get involved. I was amazed at how professional everyone was and how the goal was to maximize the donation we'd be able to make from the event. No one was compensated for their time. It was 100% volunteer. Some people were putting in more hours per week than their full time jobs. This is an outstanding nonprofit that not only gives to the Children's needs but also encourages tourism to the area. It doesn't get any better than this. When asked to sit on the Board, there was no way I could say no. 

 Until the Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance was created, there were no opportunities for the Tampa Bay area to enjoy the Art of Vintage Classic Automobiles and the Judging process.
Then you add the support the GCDE is providing to the Shriners Hospital for Children in need and it doesn't get any better.
Joanne and Brando Pistorius have created an amazing Automotive themed Charity that focuses on the needs of children, thus "Kids and Cars".
Thank you and Way-to-Go !! Job well done !! 

 The Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance provides value to their charity as well as the entire Tampa Bay area. For the second consecutive year, the Shriner's Hospital for Children in Tampa is the selected charity, receiving thousands of dollars in a donation that comes directly from the Gasparilla Concours event. This donation helps the hospital provide wheelchairs and care to children born with birth defects. Additionally, the Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance classic car show provides entertainment to and educates thousands of local residents about the vehicles of a bygone era. It's a rare glimpse backward in time yet benefits children of today and the leaders of tomorrow.  

 Rewarding experience that made available many one of a kind historic cars as well as raised money for the Shriners Kids Hospital. Truly a win-win... 

Michael M.

I have volunteered for Gasparilla Concours d’ Elegance (GCDE) for several years. I have found this to be a very well structured and fun organization to be associated with in many ways. Raising money for different charitable organizations is difficult, but they make it fun and successful each and every time. My experience has been very positive, and I will continue to help in any role in which my skills, talents, and experience can add value.

I highly recommend GCDE to my friends and family.

 I would like to voice my whole-hearted support for the Gasparilla Concours

d'Elegance (GCDE). I have known about and participated in the organization's

events for the past four (4) years and have nothing but positive things to say

about the it. The GCDE is a hard-working, car and motorcycle loving group of

volunteers that works to give back to the local community by raising funds at

these events.

I have been both a {car show} participant and a {Class Host} volunteer at their

two (2) most recent Concours events. Both events were well planned, well

executed and top-notch from beginning to end. Hence, when asked to be a

member of this year's organizational committee and Silent Auction Chairperson, I

agreed without hesitation,

This year's planned event, "Gasparilla Cars in the Park" is shaping up to be an

expansion of past events by changing venues to a more central location,

increasing car show participation and making the event free to the public.

I look forward to seeing their events continue to expand, thus raising more

money for local Tampa Bay area charities and I will continue to support this great

organization through volunteering and participation.