The Customer is King and Chicago is the Crown Jewel

Auto shows have always excelled in bringing vehicles and buyers together. As early as 1901, auto shows helped change the way the nation traveled by introducing the horseless carriage to a wary consumer. Today, cars, trucks and crossovers are more complicated than ever. Safety and connectivity technologies only dreamed about few years ago are commonplace on mainstream automobiles. Once again, the auto show plays a critical role in helping educate buyers as the industry embraces new technologies.

The Chicago Auto Show, the nation’s largest, shines as a perfect example of the modern-day auto show. Chicago welcomes traditional and digital journalists, social influencers and broadcast media in a way that engages with its large consumer audience to create the perfect storm that helps jump-start sales.

Last year, Foresight Research, recognized by the industry for its auto show marketing research, measured major auto shows across the nation. In its most recent immersion study, Foresight held up Chicago as the leading consumer show in the nation. In fact, Chicago came out on top in every measurable metric including having a higher number of purchasers and providing more influence on the purchasing decision than any other show in the nation.

Indeed, Chicago is the nation’s consumer show. This February, every mainstream automaker will participate -- each building some of the largest auto show displays in the world. In addition, a spacious venue like McCormick Place provides show goers the opportunity to sample from three indoor test tracks and six outdoor test drives.

Finally, the Chicago Auto Show activates its huge consumer attendance with effective social media campaigns and an industry-leading beacon program allowing consumers to interact with exhibitors electronically, providing an enhanced and engaging experience.

When it comes down to it, auto shows have always been about selling cars. In this way, Chicago continues to be perfectly positioned to be the voice of the consumer for an industry on track to sell 17 million vehicles in 2015.  

2014 Chicago Auto Show: Nation's Largest Auto Show Opens its Doors to the Public

We got to ride in this last 2013 Chicago Auto Show.  We are looking forward to this year's Chicago Auto Show!

The 2014 Chicago Auto Show opens to the public on Saturday, Feb. 8. The opening weekend of the show promises an exciting line-up of events with hundreds of different vehicles on display throughout, more than 1 million square feet of show floor space, three indoor test track and six outdoor test drives. The show runs from Feb. 8-17 and is open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. each day, with the exception of the last day, where the show will close at 8 p.m.

This year marks the 106th edition of the Chicago Auto Show. First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. 

“The 2014 Chicago Auto Show is the best place to see and experience the newest vehicles under one roof,” said Kurt Schiele, 2014 Chicago Auto Show chairman. “Attendees will be surprised to see the new innovative designs in vehicles and the latest technology to enhance their in-car experience.”

New this year, show-goers can follow the Chicago Auto Show on social media and participate in the #CASChallenge Social Media Scavenger Hunt. Participants will have the chance to win more than 100 prizes throughout the show, as well as entered to win the grand prize, a 7-night cruise provided by Celebrity Cruises and $500 in spending money from Cars.com.

Not that every day isn’t a special day at the Chicago Auto Show, but there are a few special programs during the show’s 10-day run. Special days at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show include:

• Women’s Day: Tuesday, Feb. 11.  Women will be admitted for just $6.  Manufactures will present women-oriented programs on the purchase and lease of cars and maintenance. 
• Chicago Auto Show Food Drive: Feb. 12-14.  Show patrons who bring three cans of food will receive a coupon for half-priced admission.  All food will be donated to A Safe Haven Foundation.
• Telemundo Hispanic Day: Friday, Feb. 14.  On Telemundo Hispanic Day, Chicago Auto Show exhibitors develop and host Hispanic-flavored events.  For more information about scheduled events, visithttp://www.telemundochicago.com.
• Family Day: Monday, Feb. 17.  The Chicago Auto Show will host family fun on Presidents Day.  Again this year, Family Day is expected to be a great end to the nation’s largest auto show.

General admission to the 2014 Chicago Auto Show is $12 for adults (ages 13-61), $6 for children (ages 7-12) and $6 for senior citizens (ages 62 and up). Any child 6 years or younger may enter the show free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult. Weekday discount tickets, which are $6 off general adult admission tickets, are available at area new-car dealers, participating Fifth Third bank locations and Shell gas stations. 

For more information about the Chicago Auto Show, please visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.