THE annual Wintersun festival is expected to inject a record $20 million into the local economy as old-school rock 'n' roll and a convoy of hot rods rumble into the southern Gold Coast this month.

Event organisers predict growth of 15 to 20 per cent and a crowd of more than 100,000 to celebrate the festival's 20^th anniversary from June 1 to 11. The event is a significant money spinner for the Tweed - accommodation houses reach capacity and restaurants and cafes overflow with customers from as far as the US, Europe and New Zealand.

Festival director and Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce president Barry McNamara says Wintersun's economic impact is substantial.

"Most businesses wouldn't survive the winter without the festival - it's a significant event in terms of cash injection. The festival is very good at marketing the region offshore and there is a great flow-on effect," he says.

"It has the potential to bring strong international tourism to the Gold Coast and we have been target marketing a wide demographic in North America and Europe via advertising and stories in hot-rod magazines and on rock 'n' roll radio stations. We have effectively identified our target market and discovered a lot of people are interested in what we do.

Mr McNamara says the event boosts international and domestic tourism numbers during the otherwise slower winter period.

"There is a really good ripple effect from this event throughout the Coast," he says.

"Hotel occupancy in Surfers is usually around 15 per cent - and similar on
the southern Gold Coast - so the festival is a terrific boost for the accommodation sectors.

"It's almost opposite Christmas on the calendar, so it provides a lot of business with virtually two Christmases each year in terms of increasing turnover," he says.

Wintersun has teamed up with the Beach Hop, in New Zealand, which runs for two weeks in the lead up to the Tweed event.

"We have pitched both events to the North American market, where they can enjoy two weeks in New Zealand and then two weeks in Queensland as part of a month-long holiday, soaking up the atmosphere and the culture of the festivals," says Mr McNamara.

A new, 600-seat marquee and two extra stages will be built at Wintersun this year.

"It's our 20th Wintersun, it's 30 years in August since the death of Elvis and as a festival theme, we're celebrating 50 years of great Australian rock and roll," says
Mr McNamara.

"This year is shaping as a huge event. We'll have about 100 bands and performers, dance competitions, market stalls, workshops and plenty of surprises."

Wintersun has signed an agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. (EPE) to produce an official, preliminary contest as part of the international Elvis Tribute Artist of the Year competition.

The winner of the Wintersun leg will represent Australia at the final, in Memphis.

This year's festival also feature its inaugural classic vehicle auction on Sunday, June 10 as part of Show and Shine - one of Australia's premier car expositions, expected to attract more than 1400 vehicles this year.

Auctioneer Geoff Eaton, of Premier Asset Management, says many of the cars displayed at Wintersun last year were marked 'for sale'.

"The event is being used by vehicle owners to pass on their pride and joy to a like-minded person - someone who will give it a good home. Similarly, buyers are using the event to locate and purchase that special vehicle - and the choice can be mind-boggling.

"We're only just starting to get the word out, but already we have a 1969 Mustang and a '56 Thunderbird ready to go under the hammer," he says.