Posted: Oct. 31, 2009
Ticket prices cut again for auto show preview


BY GREG GARDNER
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER


Ticket prices for the hottest gala in town -- the auto show Charity Preview -- have been slashed to $250.

It's the second time in four months that organizers of January's North American International Auto Show have cut prices, the event's cochair said Friday. The prices were lowered to attract more attendees in the struggling economy, especially younger ones.

"Like everyone else, we are reducing our costs so we are trying to reach a wider group of people," said Ann Arbor dealer Doug Fox, cochairman of the annual industry showcase sponsored by the Detroit Automobile Dealers Association.

In June, Fox announced that tickets for the Jan. 15 black-tie gala would be cut to $300 or $500 per couple, but DADA took another $50 off the single-ticket price in recent days. Last year, attendance for the Charity Preview fell more than 50% from 2007, despite attaching a pass for a Jonas Brothers concert two nights later at Joe Louis Arena.

"We're looking to stage some neat afterglow events in the Riverview Ballroom," Fox said.

Charity Previews of years past have showcased big-name acts such as the Barenaked Ladies and Celine Dion. This year, look for less glitz.

"Don't worry," Fox said. "The cars will still be the stars."
http://freep.com/article/20091031/BU...o-show-preview

Weren't these tickets always sold out weeks or months in advance? Wasn't there so much demand they were almost by invitation only?