Auto Show Rumored to Move to October

[Lowell]

I never got why they did it in the dead of winter, not the best time to showcase Detroit.
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...ove-to-october

• Show sees a move as a way to showcase technology best experienced outdoors
• Move would also put some space between Detroit show and Consumer Electronics Show
• Move wouldn't happen until 2020, source said
• [And I would add] Get the jump on the LA Auto Show.

[Warrenite84]

In the dead of winter, when the Christmas season is over is the best time to have the Auto Show, IMHO. It keeps the restaurants and hotels busy at a time when they would otherwise see a drop in business. I think we did quite well showcasing Detroit in the Winter when Super Bowl XL was hosted here.

[Danny]

Good ideal

[Warrenite84]

Isn't the Auto Show for locals to get a peek at the new models and not to cater to visiting media primarily?

[stinkytofu]

In the dead of winter, when the Christmas season is over is the best time to have the Auto Show, IMHO. It keeps the restaurants and hotels busy at a time when they would otherwise see a drop in business. I think we did quite well showcasing Detroit in the Winter when Super Bowl XL was hosted here.

That all sounds great, but the show has had significantly fading relevancy in recent years and one big reason is where it falls on calendar in relation to other automotive events. Gotta change with the times.

[SammyS]

Excellent idea. I lose my vacation every year because of the auto show. Don't ask me to organize myself better, it's a long and unpredictable process trying to showcase new technology.

[Hermod]

I liked it when it was out at the old State Fair Grounds. Easy to get to. Easy to park. Lots of space.

[Warrenite84]

I understand where you are coming from but I don't see where moving the auto show will change anything. The jockeying for prominence will cause others to move theirs as well. In truth, we are dependent on when and where the automakers decide to reveal their newest offering. If they prefer LA, there's nothing we can do to change that. We could, perhaps lobby the automakers and come to an agreement on reveals so that each auto show location saves face. We=Metro Detroit Auto Dealers Association. Just a thought.

[401don]

I remember reading an article in the News or Freep a couple of months ago with all the reasons the show couldn't be moved and now it's a possibility. Prep time ties up Cobo for a couple of months so I wonder how busy it is in Aug/Sept vs. Nov/Dec?

[401don]

Just occurred to me that's going to leave almost a two year gap between Jan. 2019 and Oct. 2020. Will that make Detroit less relevant? Also, now int'l journalists can head from the Vegas show to Detroit. Will their employers be willing to pay for separate trips for all of them?

[Lowell]

I remember reading an article in the News or Freep a couple of months ago with all the reasons the show couldn't be moved and now it's a possibility. Prep time ties up Cobo for a couple of months so I wonder how busy it is in Aug/Sept vs. Nov/Dec?

They are shooting for 2020 and being Cobo's [or whatever its name will be] biggest show, I am sure they will get all the deference in the world.

[401don]

They are shooting for 2020 and being Cobo's [or whatever its name will be] biggest show, I am sure they will get all the deference in the world.

Just thinking about possible lost revenue but I guess Sept. isn't normally a busy time for conferences and shows either.

[eastland]

Just thinking about possible lost revenue but I guess Sept. isn't normally a busy time for conferences and shows either.

I remember in the late 1970s the show was always held around Thanksgiving.

[Gistok]

Just occurred to me that's going to leave almost a two year gap between Jan. 2019 and Oct. 2020. Will that make Detroit less relevant? Also, now int'l journalists can head from the Vegas show to Detroit. Will their employers be willing to pay for separate trips for all of them?

I would think that if the switch from Jan. to Oct..... that they will have it in Oct. of the same year that they had it in Jan. of. For example... if they switch in 2020... it would be Jan. 2020 and then Oct. 2020, followed by Oct. 2021.

[renf]

Will there be a problem finding hotel space in those future years when the
Tigers are in the World Series?

[softailrider]

Will there be a problem finding hotel space in those future years when the
Tigers are in the World Series?

That is like saying better not go to the casino, They’ll 1099 me if I win.

Lets see the Tigers get to the World Series then worry about it.

[Don K]

Isn't the Auto Show for locals to get a peek at the new models and not to cater to visiting media primarily?

Well, historically that was the purpose of the Detroit Show, but then the organizers called it the NAIAS and got the manufacturers to put the big bucks into their exhibits and use the show for upcoming-model intros as well as unveiling concepts. Now the CES is the place for high-tech concepts and Detroit is an afterthought. Maybe placing Detroit ahead of CES and Los Angeles will give it some importance again, but I have my doubts.

[SammyS]

Well, historically that was the purpose of the Detroit Show, but then the organizers called it the NAIAS and got the manufacturers to put the big bucks into their exhibits and use the show for upcoming-model intros as well as unveiling concepts. Now the CES is the place for high-tech concepts and Detroit is an afterthought. Maybe placing Detroit ahead of CES and Los Angeles will give it some importance again, but I have my doubts.

That all depends. Seems like OEM’s use the NAIAS as a large showroom for current models whereas the Tiers 1’s are putting their best foot forward and showcasing technology years out. I’m certainly doing that but for invite only. No public or the prying eyes of our competitors allowed. Of course word travels fast in this biz so we need to excercise some level of care with IP.

[wolverine]

No doubt this will increase attendance dramatically. Having it in January sucks. Especially for many of us out of towners who don’t want to deal with the awful weather. I remember a nasty snowstorm a couple years ago driving to Detroit to see a Hawks-Wings game and to go to the auto show.

[Bham1982]

No doubt this will increase attendance dramatically.

I think it would probably hurt attendance. In January there's nothing else going on, so locals are likely to visit. October is time for Up North fall color trips, cider mill/pumpkin patch season, schools are in full swing, outdoor weather is still decent, etc.

[dtowncitylover]

I think we can all agree that Detroit in January can look butt ugly. The first day after a snowfall is pretty. But then the traffic returns, the snow turns grey and black, and we all look miserable.

One one hand, the auto show in January does help boost business in a month where it wouldn't see as much.

However on the other, the auto show in October would bring attention to Detroit when it "looks good". April thru October is the best time to visit but I can't think of a major "anchor" festival that would bring a national or international spotlight to the city. Most of our festivals, Pride, Jazz, etc are regional and Movement while attended by people from all over the world, isn't covered in the way the auto show is.

But then again, if the Tigs make the WS eventually, as another posted mentioned, hotel space will be a major issue.

[MSUguy]

I would think that if the switch from Jan. to Oct..... that they will have it in Oct. of the same year that they had it in Jan. of. For example... if they switch in 2020... it would be Jan. 2020 and then Oct. 2020, followed by Oct. 2021.

The only way that happens if they do a downsized show in January. It's takes more than two months to setup a normal show there's no way Cobo wants that much down time. They likely just wait until October to do a full show

[Pat001]

Weather alone is justification for moving the show to October. No one wants to come to Detroit in January. BTW, I'm posting this from Florida, where temps are in the mid 70s and it's been sunny all week...

[CassTechGrad]

I remember going to the 1968 Auto Show and Jimi Hendrix was playing next door at Cobo Arena. I said to my buddy “Let go see Jimi instead.” He said “ Nah, we’ll get him next time he comes to town”. One of the biggest mistakes of my life. When he came back in May, 1969, I was in the Army and then he was gone. Rest in peace Jimi. “Excuse me while I kiss the sky”

[Pat001]

I remember going to the 1968 Auto Show and Jimi Hendrix was playing next door at Cobo Arena.

Check out those ticket prices!

I thought the words were, "Excuse me while I kiss this guy..."