La Jolla-based Events.com announced Thursday, April 17, that it has acquired one of La Jolla’s biggest events, the Concours d’Elegance car show, just over a week before its 2025 renewal.
Events.com, an event management company that also presents San Diego’s Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival and Gator by the Bay as well as the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival, said the Concours d’Elegance will continue with the La Jolla Historical Society as its primary beneficiary and that the Historical Society will “continue to play a key guiding role.”
Zach Kadletz, representing Events.com, said the company bought the Concours for an undisclosed amount. Further details about the acquisition were not immediately available.
The 19th annual Concours will go on as scheduled Friday through Sunday, April 25-27, and will include the annual VIP opening party from 6 to 10 p.m. April 25 at Scripps Park, the Tour d’Elegance from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26, the “Porsches and Power on Prospect” display from 5 to 9 p.m. April 26 and the ticketed classic car show in Scripps Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27. For more information, visit lajollaconcours.com.
Events.com said the Concours’ volunteer committee and co-chairmen Michael Dorvillier and Robert Kerner will remain and “now have access to enhanced infrastructure and operational , including streamlined ticketing, sponsorship and marketing tools, improved digital engagement and optimized operations.”
“The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance is a truly iconic event in the automotive world, and we are honored to help power its next chapter,” Events.com Chief Executive, Chairman and co-founder Mitch Thrower, a 31-year La Jolla resident, said in a statement. “We’re committed to carrying this legacy forward — growing its impact, making every visit memorable and keeping it a vital part of La Jolla for years to come.”
La Jolla Historical Society Executive Director Lauren Lockhart said “We’re thrilled that this partnership will allow the Concours to continue to thrive and benefit both the community of La Jolla and the La Jolla Historical Society. We’re grateful to Events.com for their commitment to making this event a continued success.”
Proceeds from the Concours d’Elegance have helped the Historical Society expand its services through free exhibitions and public programs.
Events.com Executive Producer Paul Thornton said the company has been working for months on this year’s Concours alongside the Historical Society and the event’s volunteers.
“To date, all sponsorships are sold out, all hospitality suites are sold out and ticket sales are well ahead of any prior year,” Thornton said.
Dorvillier said that “as chairman of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, I am incredibly proud of the dedicated team of volunteers who work to bring this event to life each year. Our goal was to create one of the top Concours in the United States while celebrating and ing both the car culture community and the vibrant, unique community of La Jolla. Thanks to the horsepower provided by Events.com, we can continue this journey and ensure the event’s success while also ing our charity, the La Jolla Historical Society.”
Events.com said it also is preparing for its potential debut on the New York Stock Exchange following its previously announced business combination with Concord Acquisition Corp. II, a publicly traded special-purpose acquisition company. That deal is expected to close this year.
— La Jolla Light staff writer Ashley Mackin-Solomon contributed to this report. ♦
