2008 Update No.2
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2008 Update No.2 Media Preview February 6-7 First Look for Charity February 7 Public Show February 8-17 www.ChicagoAutoShow.com GM Display Expands In Chicago The list of manufacturers who choose Chicago to stage the always good to jumble up the deck a bit and with this move we’ll largest displays they produce anywhere in the world has grown do exactly that. We think the public will love it.” again. “There’s no spot on our show fl oor that doesn’t maximize an General Motors has increased its Chicago footprint by an exhibitor’s ability to reach the public,” continued Cizek. “The size additional 22,000 sq. ft., totaling approximately 186,000 sq. ft. of the show coupled with its multiple entrance access points starting at the 2008 edition in the nation’s premier exposition result in an ideal situation for all of our exhibitors. The brilliant center, McCormick design of McCormick Place makes production of the Place. The Chicago biggest automotive exposition in North America a Auto Show currently much easier and cost-effective proposition.” utilizes 1.3 million Chrysler Corporation’s 192,000 sq. ft. display, sq. ft. of “Class A” replete with a half-mile long indoor test track, will space with full 40’ again provide a formidable platform to stage its tall ceilings—and all world premier of the production Dodge Challenger. on the same fl oor. They’re going to need elbow room for what will surely The new GM display be a sea of consumers, all craning their necks to see will bring all of the the next object of their automotive fantasies. General’s brands The Chrysler, GM and Ford displays alone total together in the North more than a half million square feet. That’s bigger Hall of McCormick than most shows in Place. the United States. “We’re thrilled to “It’s really not a have GM express its space race for the confi dence in Chi- biggest display,” said cago’s importance,” Loquercio. “What’s said Bob Loquercio, chairman of the 2008 Chicago important is that Auto Show. “We also want to acknowledge the exhibitors from all over cooperation of a large group of manufacturers who the world all know have relocated to new homes to accommodate this that Chicago has the major shift of in our fl oor plan.” capability to accom- Steve Hill, General Motors North Central modate virtually any Regional Manager said, “We’re excited to have all request made of us in of our brands grouped together for our customers. Class A space right on We’ll be able to showcase and feature our industry the main fl oor. leading design and technology, as well as our vi- “Additionally, we sion for alternative fuels. have the best infra- “While we’re celebrating our past 100 years, structure to stage Chicago will help us to better tell the story of our the nation’s biggest future,” said Hill. auto show. We’re blessed with a burgeoning fi rst class hotel Auto Show General Manager Jerry Cizek said, “People keep population—including two of the top fi ve-rated properties in asking us how we’re able to take care of requests for more the world—that offers 69,000 hotel rooms within a 15-minute space. Actually, Chicago is the only major show in the United drive of McCormick Place; a city that’s central for air travel from States with room to grow. If someone wanted more space our anywhere in the world; unparalleled restaurants and a dedicated response would be to ‘Bring it on!’ Not only will the increase labor force that constructs this gigantic show in a mere seven in size of the GM display (featuring its Centennial Anniversary days. celebration display) provide a dramatic new look to the North “Why wouldn’t we be proud? We have what everyone else Hall, but will bring new consumer views to the entire show. It’s wants.” MAMA and the CATA Welcome GM’s Troy Clarke as Keynote Speaker The two-day media preview of the Chicago Auto show will was president and managing director of GM de Mexico and a fi nd General Motors North American President Troy Clarke at the GM coporate vice president since January 1998. He had been mike as leadoff hitter. director of manufacturing for GM de Mexico “The cooperative efforts of the since June 1997. Chicago Auto Show and the Midwest Clarke joined GM as a co-op student Automotive Media Association (MAMA) at Pontiac Motor Division in Pontiac, has resulted in a great opening event Michigan, in 1973. He remained at for the auto show since the fi rst year Pontiac for ten years, holding a series our group was formed,” said Dave Boe, of engineering and manufacturing president of MAMA. “The list of speakers assignments of increasing responsibility. we’ve enjoyed over the years reads like He received a bachelor’s degree in a ‘Who’s Who’ of the autmotive industry. engineering from the General Motors We’re so pleased that Troy Clarke has Institute in 1978 and a master’s degree in accepted our invitation to join us,” business administration from the University Clarke will address those attending of Michigan in 1982. the Chicago Auto Show/MAMA breakfast Clarke is a member of the board of held in Room S101 of McCormick Place, directors of the Alliance of Automobile Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 8 a.m., but veterans Manufacturers and a member of the of the event know that the doors open and University of Michigan Business School breakfastt is served starting at 7:30 a.m. Visiting Council. He serves on the board Troy A. Clarke has been president of of directors of the GM-Toyota NUMMI GM North America and GM group vice manufacturing joint venture in California. president since July 1, 2006. He had served as president of Shuttles will operate continually from two of the show’s GM Asia Pacifi c and GM group vice president from June 2004. offi cial hotels, the Fairmont Chicago and Swissôtel Chicago, Earlier, he was GM group vice president of manufacturing and starting at 7 a.m. Those wishing to check their coats before labor relations beginning in June 2002. During that time, he was the event may do so in the coat check off the main lobby of responsible for North America vehicle manufacturing, vehicle McCormick Place. A hosted coat check will be available at the operations, the Metal Fabricating Division, and labor relations. top of the escalator on your way to the media center. We’ll have He served as GM’s chief negotiator for the 2003 United Auto plenty of signs, so just read them, follow the arrows and (as they Workers labor negotiations in North America. say in Britain) Bob’s Your Uncle. Clarke had been vice president of labor relations since No pre-registration is needed for this event, but it is limited to January 2001. Before taking the labor relations post, Clarke credentialed media and industry executives. If you’re wondering who Please allow us to introduce the offi cers of the Chicago actually steers the ship Automobile Trade Association (CATA): Seated: Mark Scarpelli of Raymond Chevrolet, Antioch, and Ray Suzuki, Fox Lake, Ill., vice chairman and co- chairman of the 2008 Chicago Auto Show and chairman of the CATA; Bob Loquercio of Elgin Toyota and Elgin Hyundai, Elgin, Ill., Chicago Northside Toyota-Scion, Chicago; and Honda City, Chicago, Ill., chairman of the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. Standing: Kevin Mize of O’Hare Honda and O’Hare Hyundai, Des Plaines, Ill., treasurer; John Phelan of Jack Phelan Chevrolet, Lyons, Ill. and Jack Phelan Dodge-Isuzu- Suzuki, Berwyn, Ill., vice chairman; Steve Foley Jr. of Steve Foley Cadillac-Bentley and Rolls-Royce, treasurer; and Jerry Cizek III, CATA president and auto show general manager. Founded in 1904, the CATA is the nation’s largest metropolitan dealer group with over 550 franchised new- car dealer and allied members in Chicago, its suburbs and Northwest Indiana. CATA dealerships employ more than 56,000 people. So who’s that winged guy? He’s everywhere! For some it’s a prancing horse. For another it’s a blue oval. York show had a multitude of fi ts For still others it might be a forward-leaning numeral 3 that pays and starts with different promoters homage to a revered NASCAR driver. And for the past decade or and no central organization running so, the nation’s largest auto show has utilized a logo that (with the exposition. In the early Chicago full props to the Nike folks for terminology only) we’ve internally years—roughly from its inception called the “Swooshie.” You know that logo. It’s the one that has through 1935—the Chicago said, “Chicago Auto Show” as loudly as any long-established show was produced initially by logo says for any company or product. Samuel Miles and quickly joined Remember this one (just by the Chicago Automobile Trade to the left) from last year? Association when it was founded Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know you in 1904. In 1935, management of know now. It’s the logo that the Chicago show was taken over exclusively by the CATA, which keeps its identity from year has produced the show in its entirety since then. to year, albeit with certain Chicago was the fi rst show to return to production following modifi cations to its color WWII. With that show palate and the whims of the came the start of a show chairman and staff.