My Media Preview Experience At The Chicago Auto Show

Are you a car fan? 

I certainly appreciate the look, feel, and smell of a new car as the next person. But after last week, I can say that I now better understand those people who are passionate about their cars.

I was invited to attend the Media Preview at McCormick Place, Chicago, for the Chicago Auto Show, the nation's longest running auto show.  Held prior to the show's opening, the preview provided me two days of an up close and personal look at the world of automobiles and how the manufacturers introduce their latest brands to the general public.  I have attended the LA Auto Show in the past and enjoyed the pretty cars and free handouts, but going to the Chicago Auto show as a media representative was a whole different experience. 

On the first day of the media preview, every twenty minutes was scheduled for an elaborate unveiling of one of the manufacturers' newest models. Each presentation was run pretty much the same. Lights flashing, music playing, then a vice-president of marketing was introduced and rushed to the stage. He or she meticulously gave the specs for the new auto, raising the anticipation level of the audience. More music, more lights, and finally, the vehicle was unleashed for its first public glimpse. Photographers rushed the stage; writers texted the news as fast as they could. A brief period followed for questions and that was it. The hundreds of press people then got up, collected their belongings and rushed off to the next unveiling. Remarkable.   

My favorite announcements? I loved all the excitement surrounding the unveiling for the new 2014 Toyota Tundra.  Built in San Antonio, Texas and to be launched in September, the new features were lauded for each of the five grades of the truck with improvements in comfort, capability, reliability, safety, and of course, technological advancements. 

I also enjoyed the pop culture feel of Kia's new cross over GT. Kia has partnered with DC Entertainment (the comic book people) to combine a super hero theme in the paint, designs, and advertising of their new vehicles.   

It was fun to see the latest Volkswagen Beetle.  My first car was a 1971 VW Bug. They sure have come a long way in performance and are as popular as ever.      

The second day was a lot more low key. Not so much running around as there were more panel presentations given from a stage. While the elaborate roll outs were missing, I could still find information and get up close to the cars. 

The continuous attention paid to the appearance of the cars was impressive. Everywhere you looked, there were people in overalls, dusting the vehicles over and over again to maintain the shiny exteriors and interiors. Check out this beauty, a 2014 Chevy Corvette.    

I met lots of nice automobile folks and appreciated the mid-west hospitality. I found the automobile press corp to be a close, tight-knit group. For the most part, they didn't mind me asking questions about their industry and they were all quite enthralled that I would come all the way from Southern California, not knowing a soul, to participate in their esteemed event. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

If you like cars, appreciate automobile history, relish good customer service, and want to be the first to know about the latest in the automobile world, then the Chicago Auto Show is where you want to be.   

Nissan North America, and the Board of Directors of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association hosted me as their guest at the Media Preview of the 2013 Chicago Auto Show: Thursday, Feb. 7 and Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. While they provided air fare, hotel accommodations, transportation, press credentials,and meals for this event, the opinions of the event are my own.