Auto show season is the best time of year for automotive journalists, as there is no better way to be informed about the product than to be present at the shows where new models are launched and current models are displayed in every possible iteration.
Auto Shows are also an excellent time to touch base with manufacturer contacts, catch up with our colleagues, and make new friends. Admittedly, this auto show season has been a little strange with the auto industry bailout crisis and concerns about the nation's economic situation, but those worries seem to skip away when standing next to old and new friends and watching somebody like Ed Peper (General Motors, North America vice president) pull the silk off a fabulous new Corvette concept.
I must express enormous gratitude to Bridgestone for once again including me among their sponsored journalists at the Chicago Auto Show. It was a great show. Very little Earth-shattering "news," but it was good to be there in the Windy City, which for the first time in 10 years, was not covered under three feet of snow. I came back with lots of fodder for several good articles, from the new Transformers Autobot cars from General Motors, to Ford announcing its 2010 Transit Connect compact commercial van, to the GMC Acadia winning the Bark Buckle-Up Dog Friendly award, to the winners of the Bridgestone Safety Scholars video awards, and the IntelliChoice Best Overall Value Awards. The Tweets were flying fast and furiously! More on all these subjects to come in the near future.
It's always a great atmosphere there, because Chicago icon Paul Brian works so hard to create a great show personality, and the organizers plan so much excellent media hospitality. The usual giant "Cars and Stars" media event sponsored by XM radio moved this year to Buddy Guy's Legends for awesome blues music in a much more intimate venue. I was thankful to have the opportunity to dance the dirty blues with Thom Cannell, the good old-fashioned swing with Ken Gross, and get my groove on with Jim McCraw, some of the best-dancing and finest gentlemen I know in the industry. I talked briefly with Scott Monty at Ford, shook hands with all my favorite General Motors friends, and ate a delicious steak dinner at Gibsons courtesy of Suzuki.
Unfortunately, on Thursday, I made a mistake reading my ticket departure time, and arrived about 10 minutes too late to board my flight out. As a result, I spent six anxious hours at the airport watching my standby status on the next four flights to Los Angeles....just as I was making backup plans to camp at the airport overnight, the counterperson called my name for the last seat on the last fight to Los Angeles. What a relief that was, but by the time I picked up my car and got home, it was 3am before I could finally climb into bed.
Media days are over and the show is now open to the public from February 13-21, 10 am to 10 pm; and February 22 from 10 am to 8 pm at Chicago's McCormick Place, 2301 South Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60616. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and older and children age 7-12; children under six are free. Attendees can buy tickets online at DriveChicago.com.
If you're planning to attend, you'll definitely want to know about the following activities and special appearances. Visitors to the 2009 Chicago Auto Show will have the opportunity to get autographs from IndyCar Series stars, gather car care tips, and meet a couple of the Chicago area's most popular radio personalities, all thanks to Bridgestone Americas, Inc: and being held at their booth:
- John Howell and Cisco Cotto from WIND radio on Saturday, February 14 from Noon-2 p.m.
- Marco Andretti, IndyCar Series star race car driver, Sunday, February 15 from
- 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
- Trisha Hessinger will present car care demonstrations on Women's Day, Tuesday, February 17 at 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, and 7 pm.
- Milka Duno, IndyCar Series star race car driver on Hispanic Day Friday, February 20 from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Also, there are lots of other activities for families, including a Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby, Chicago Storm Autograph Session, Hourly Character Appearances from Legoland and Brookfield Zoo every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m, a special appearance from Dora the Explorer, and so much more!! The list of special appearances is too long to print here, so be sure to check it out at the official chicagoautoshow.com Web site.
I'm beat today, that's for sure, but all in all, it was still a great experience! And yes, my usually gray hair has lots of pink streaks, and it was fun put a few in just for the show!
Brandy Schaffels
AskPatty Editor
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