Snow in Washingtonês forecast does not forestall Auto Show Industry/Media Days, but does delay opening to the public until Mon., Jan. 25
The Washington Auto Show that was set to open to the public Friday, Jan. 22, now will not open until Monday, Jan. 25. This is because management of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center determined that heavy snow in the forecast commencing Friday, Jan. 22, is a significant enough threat to warrant this extraordinary action.
None the less, Auto Show producer John OêDonnell has the legendary Auto Show Snow Hat at the ready with its reputed mystical powers to keep winter weather from setting back attendance. The Snow Hat, inherited from two generations of Murphys (Mike and his son Gerry) who preceded him as WANADA CEO, is a stylish menês fedora from the 1950s. The Snow Hat wonêt always prevent foul winter weather disruptions, said OêDonnell, in the face of heavy snow in the forecast for Washington on what would have been the showês first weekend. But it has been credited with keeping show attendance on track when final results are tallied, he said.
OêDonnell and Auto Show Chairman Geoff Pohanka appeared on Live News 8 TV earlier in the week to promote the show and get viewers pumped to attend it. The show will offer 750 different models from more than 40 manufacturers, Pohanka told NewsChannel 8 reporter Josh Knight. With the average car on the road now 11 years old, he said, consumers are ready to browse the show for their next purchase. The vehicles on display are very affordable and brimming with new technology, and cutting edge features, such as lane departure warning and blind spot warning, Pohanka added.
We try to educate Congress, OêDonnell told NewChannel 8. Vehicle-to-vehicle technology will be displayed for members of Congress and the media in a demonstration drive from the Rayburn House Office Building to the W.E. Washington Convention Center, the situs of the Auto Show, on Wed., Jan. 20.
In the near future, and in some models now, you can bring your phone to the vehicle, and have all the latest innovations of high technology surrounding you in the vehicle, OêDonnell said.
Pohanka spoke to NewChannel8 also about the ART-of-Motion exhibit, happening in a 7,000-square-foot space at the Auto Show. On three different days, a different car will be painted from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. (see article on page 4). The show chairman also touted Young Professionals Night as well as the many family-friendly events, from the KidZone to an appearance by Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals.
All in all, Pohanka and OêDonnell made the Washington Auto Show sound like the great event it is for families, car enthusiasts, consumers in the market for a new car and anybody else who wants to be part of one of the biggest annual events in Washington.
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