Being “The Public Policy Show” on the global auto show circuit affords the Washington, DC Auto Show special considerations from manufacturers that shows in similarly situated markets do not enjoy. For example, the Seattle and San Francisco metro areas are similar in size to the DC metro and have similar economic and educational demographics. Yet their auto shows are not considered “tier one” for this reason. The DC Auto Show’s proximity to the levers of national and international power attracts a distinct clientele and 2022 was no different, the pandemic notwithstanding.
Throughout the course of the show, five U.S. Senators and the same number of U.S. Congressmen attended the show in some capacity. While this is a smaller number than most years, it is important to note that both sides of Capitol Hill were on recess during the show’s public days, meaning that nearly all members of Congress were back in their home states. Additionally, nearly 100 Hill staffers attended the show on official business, taking tours with show staff, staff from the Alliance of Automotive Innovation and Autos Drive America, or other industry partners who conducted organized tours onsite.
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE)
WANADA CEO John O’Donnell and Vice President of Operations Joe Koch were also able to greet and visit with several members of the DC City Council, including Chairman Phil Mendelson and Kenyan McDuffie who is now seeking office as the District’s Attorney General. The nation’s governors were even gathered at the neighboring Marriott Marquis hotel for the National Governor’s Association Winter Meeting and Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah dropped by the show to see the latest products.
Including those pictured above, the full list of elected officials who attended the 2022 Washington, DC Auto Show are as follows:
Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT)
Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN)
Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY)
Rep. Elaine Luria (R-VA)
Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN)
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX)
Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE)
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson
DC Councilman Kenyan McDuffie