Organizing the Washington Auto Show is a team effort, which WANADA greatly appreciates

Organizing the Washington Auto Show is a team effort, which WANADA greatly appreciates

An exposition as extensive as the Washington Auto Show (WAS) could never happen without the hard work of a great, many dedicated people. The 2017 Auto Show was well over a year in the making, with the long-term planning and direction stretched back even further.

As producers of the WAS, the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA) greatly appreciates the leadership of the 2017 Auto Show Committee, chaired by Geoff Pohanka, Pohanka Automotive. Joining Pohanka on the Committee were: George Doetsch, Apple Ford/Lincoln; Daniel Jobe, Capitol Cadillac; John Ourisman, Ourisman Companies; Kevin Reilly, Alexandria Hyundai; Charlie Stringfellow, Malloy Automotive; and Mark Zetlin, Mercedes-Benz of Arlington. WANADA leaders Dick Patterson, RRR Automotive, chairman of the board, and John OêDonnell, CEO and WAS producer, served on the Committee ex officio.

There were many important component parts of the Washington Auto Show this year that involved the support and generosity of numerous people.

MobilityTalks International, Jan. 24-25, was effectively expanded in 2017 with the support of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, MEMA, Starship Technologies and The Hill newspaper.

Media Day, Jan. 26, succeeded with the leadership of the International Automotive Press Association and the Washington Automotive Press Association.

The Sneak Peek Preview Reception, Jan. 26, happened with the leadership and support of American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), The Alliance of Auto Manufacturers, Global Automakers, NADA, Hargrove and the DC Wine and Spirits Association.

The WANADA Member Reception at the Auto Show was sponsored by Comcast Spotlight and Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction. The coat check was covered by WellNet.

An extraordinary evening occurred with the Luxury Lifestyle Event showcasing the exotic car pavilion that was organized by Robert Hisaoka of RRR Automotive with the sponsorship of TTR Sothebyês, Textron Aviation, Inc. and Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram, P.C.

Ron Cogan publisher of the Green Car Journal once again delivered The Green Car Awards, which were very much appreciated for their contribution to the Auto Show. OEM finalists for the Awards were announced at the LA Auto Show last fall, with the actual winners announced at the WAS.

Co-located conferences and business events happened with Eno Center for Transportation, SAE International and the U.S. GSA.

A number of OEM exhibitors went above and beyond for this Auto Show, including Jeep, which sponsored Military Tribute Day and the Beer Garden/Refueling Station; Hyundai, which sponsored the Hands-On Contest; Toyota, for thoughtfully handling the Convention Center entrance to the Auto Show and Samuel Adams Brewing Company, which co-sponsored the Refueling Station with Jeep.

The RFK semi-autonomous vehicle demonstrations would not have happened without the hands-on involvement of the U.S. DOT.

Other sponsorships that got the job done at this Auto Show were from Automotive Rhythms, which organized ART-of-Motion; Events DC, which run DC Cool Night; SMDI for the Media Center; and Autobahn Indoor Speedway for the celebrity stage.

WANADA is additionally grateful to its WAS publication team consisting of Kathy Teich, Trish Frisbee, Joan Mooney, and Katy Orme. Correspondingly, the journalist experts in the automotive realm who contributed mightily to the Auto Show were Warren Brown who authored the Auto Show visitorês guide, Driving the Future; Les Jackson who edited the Auto Show Program and led VIP tours for consumers; along with fellow VIP tour guides, John Davis, William Hopper and Alvin Jones. Photography for the Auto Show was handled by Bonnie Moret.

Advertising for the WAS was ably handled by August, Lang, and Husak with support from Mike Mosko of Voice Media for placing ads, and Angelica Boiteux and Exit 10 for social media.

Last, but by no means least, is WANADAês appreciation for the staff who kept –the trains running on time” at this Auto Show under the direction of WANADA CEO and Auto Show Producer John OêDonnell. These people were: Barbara Pomerance, director of communications and promotions; Bob Yoffe, show manager; Joe Koch, COO; Isabel Garcia, CFO; Gerard Murphy, general counsel; Allen Jones, regulatory counsel; Bob Storin, event management; and Cameron Stewart, webmaster.

Partners in general support of this Auto Show were Destination DC, Events DC, The Hill, The Washington Post, United Airlines, Walter E. Washington Convention Center and WMATA (Metro).