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News Source: topspeed.com
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It’s February, which means the auto show circus heads to Illinois for the 2016 Chicago Auto Show (CAS). Advertised as the “largest” auto show in North America, CAS offers exhibitors more than a million square feet of display space to present their wares (did someone say indoor test track?). The crowds are big too, with 3,300 registered media, 1,500 invited media, and over a million attendees total. More importantly, however, CAS claims to be “the nation’s consumer show,” with a reported 80 percent of ticketholders arriving to shop, and 70 percent planning to buy a new car in the next year. Unsurprisingly, this consumer focus also comes with an emphasis on public engagement via social media, especially in the past few years. First held in 1901, 2016 marks the 108th time CAS has taken place – the most of any auto show on the continent. Almost all the major automakers are bringing something interesting, including a variety of new cSUVs, truks, special edition vehicles, and sports cars. Updated 02/12/2016: We’re bringing you even more debuts and updates from CAS 2016! Check them out all right here. Major auto shows are always a great place to shop for a new car. They provide quick access to multiple competing manufacturers, a preview of up-and-coming models currently unavailable at the dealerships, and zero sales pressure. Such is the case with CAS 2016, which also adds a healthy dollop of digital interaction as icing. All attendees will have access to free high-speed Wi-Fi to keep them connected in a variety of ways, including via the official CAS app, which offers social media integration, historical videos, images, maps, schedules, and more. The CAS app will also wirelessly link with “beacons” spread across the exhibition space, enabling attendees to receive exhibitor content on their smartphones. On the other side of the equation, the app will anonymously collect information about foot traffic, including stuff like dwell time and return rate, providing a wealth of information for the manufacturers. With so much available exhibition space to work with, the displays are bound to be pretty extravagant. You’ll be able to check out virtual reality, racing simulators, giveaways, and tons of touchscreens. Most exciting are the indoor test tracks and outdoor test drives, both of which give you the chance to actually climb inside the brand new metal as a pro driver takes it for a spin (for example, last year participants got to go off-roading in a new Jeep Wrangler). Topping it off is a smattering of OEM accessories and products from the aftermarket, not to mention copious racecars, antiques, and collectibles to ogle. So once you’ve had your fill of the show, what comes next? Chi-Town is full of fun things to do, from shopping to sightseeing, restaurants to cultural experiences. Just a few points of interest include the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum of Natural History, and Willis Tower. Of course, don’t forget your scarf, because the weather this time of year can be exceptionally cold.CAS 2016 will be held at the McCormick Place convention center, located on the shore of Lake Michigan near Northerly Island, roughly 30 minutes southeast of O’Hare International Airport. McCormick Place offers nearly 2.7-million square feet of exhibition space, making it the largest convention center in North America. McCormick Place There are a variety of accommodations located near the show, but the Hyatt McCormick Place and Waldorf Astoria Chicago have been selected as the official hotels for CAS 2016. You can find more information here. Looking to drive to the event? The McCormick Place convention center offers three on-site parking lots, with pricing ranging between $15 and $23. Pricing drops to $10 after 6 pm. Handicap accessible parking is offered as well. Scooters and wheelchairs can be rented here. Public transport is available via the CTA Train (Green Line) and METRA Train (Metra Electric Line). You can find more information about parking and transportation here. The working press will be the first to experience the show between February 11th and 12th. TopSpeed will be on the scene bringing you all the latest, so make sure to check in with us on those dates! After the Media Preview comes the annual First Look For Charity gala, which takes place the evening of Friday, February 12th. This black tie event is expected to raise around $2.5 million for local Chicago nonprofits and charities, with those in attendance treated to drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts while they peruse the debuts. Tickets cost $250 per entry, and purchasers can specify which of the 18 charities their ticket proceeds will benefit. Attendees will also have a chance to win a 2016 Lincoln MKX Black Label and 2016 Jeep Renegade. You can find more information here. Finally, general public access kicks off Saturday, February 13th, and runs for nine days until Sunday, February 21st. Hours are between 9 am and 10 pm (hours on Sunday, February 21st are shortened to 9 am to 8 pm). Tickets cost $12 for adults, $7 for seniors (62 and older), and $7 for children (ages 7 to 12). Children under 7 get in for free. Discount vouchers good for $5 off a regular adult admission ticket (weekdays only) are available at local Chicago new-car dealers. You can purchase tickets at the gates, or online here. Throughout the nine-day public show period will be a variety of theme days geared towards specific audiences: Family Day (Monday, February 15th): Kid-friendly activities Women’s Day (Tuesday, February 16th): Reduced ticket prices for women ($7), as well as “women-oriented programs on the purchase and lease of cars and maintenance” Hispanic Heritage Day (Friday, February 19th): CAS partners with Spanish-language TV network Telemundo to celebrate Hispanic heritage Food Drive (February 17th through February 19th): Exchange three cans of food for reduced adult ticket price ($7) |
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