Washington Auto Show set to go the end of January

Washington Auto Show set to go the end of January

With auto show season in full swing – tangibly evidenced by the roll out this week of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit – The 2013 Washington Auto Show (WAS) is poised to launch with its Industry/Media Days the last two days of this month, January 30 and 31, setting the stage for its 10-day, two weekend, public days run at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (WCC).

Coming off of our eminently successful 2012 Auto Show in Washington – punctuated by President Obamas historic visit – we have hit our stride as the Public Policy Show and are on an upward trajectory on the global industry circuit, said Robert Fogarty, chairman of his second, successive Washington Auto Show. But whats really cool is feeling the publics anticipation building as the advance ads and social media on the coming show get people talking about it, in dealer showrooms and on the street, when were still two-and-a half weeks away from opening.

With one of the best attended shows in years last January, Fogarty and WANADAs Auto Show Committee organizers are looking ahead with optimism to this years Auto Show, supported as it will be by one of the strongest, most resilient car markets anywhere.

Heres the overview on the 2013 Washington Auto Show (WAS) Industry/Media Days Jan. 30 – 31, which all WANADA members, principals and senior managers are urged to attend:

Auto Policy Summit on vehicle affordability, Wed., Jan. 30, 8:00 am to 10:30 am, Cannon House Office Building Caucus Room, Capitol Hill. This years Industry Policy Summit, produced by The National Journal and sponsored by The Washington Auto Show (WAS), is entitled Affordable Mobility: A Roadmap to Energy Efficiency. Three back-to-back symposium panels are on tap, which will include OEM, dealer and industry observers interacting with lawmakers from the House and Senate – t.b.a. by the National Journal. WAS industry stakeholder associations – The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Global Automakers and NADA – have all had a hand in organizing the Capitol Hill Summit, the annual event that leads off WAS Industry/Media Days.

Public Policy Day On-site Headlined by Energy Sec. Chu, Edsel Ford, II and Scott Keogh of Audi, Thursday, Jan. 31, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Washington Convention Center. A full day of media events where OEMs and high level U.S. government operatives and members of Congress have newsworthy and impactful industry announcements, presentations and new vehicle reveals. Public Policy Day at the WAS this year will be accentuated by keynote remarks from Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Edsel Ford, II, Ford Motor Company and Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Audi of America.

SAE International will once again hold its annual industry symposium in connection with its Government Industry Conference, which is co-located with the WAS.

The Sneak Peek Special Showing the evening of Jan. 31, which follows Public Policy Day, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, on the floor of the WCC, gives Washington lawmakers from Congress, The White House and pertinent federal regulatory agencies the opportunity to tour the show in a festive atmosphere while providing constructive interaction between lawmakers and industry executives who will be on site with their exhibitor displays, all of which will be up and operating with the latest and greatest advanced technology. The Sneak Peek is sponsored by the WAS industry stakeholder associations, The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Global Automakers and NADA. It is also sponsored by the official WAS decorator, Hargrove, Inc.

The WANADA Member Reception, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm, Washington Convention Center, Room 103AB affords Dealer and Kindred-line members an exclusive registration, cocktail and coat check opportunity in connection with the Sneak Peek Preview. A networking reception, hosted by Comcast Spotlight is available at $65/person, for the benefit of WANADAs Automobile Dealer Education Institute (ADEI), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Edsel Ford, II to be honored at The Keith Crain Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner, Jan. 31, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Grand Ballroom, Washington Convention Center. For his numerous contributions to his industry and worthy causes, as well as his contributions to the world renowned automaker that is his legacy and bears his name, Edsel Ford, II is Keith Crains pick for his Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 WAS.

Sponsored in part by Bosch Governmental Division, a special WANADA member rate of $125 per person applies, with proceeds going to benefit WANADAs Automobile Dealer Education Institute (ADEI), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. WANADA members attending the Keith Crain/AN Dinner can waive the ticket fee for the WANADA Member Reception, noted above, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm, Room 103AB.

All WANADA members should watch for detailed registration information regarding these evening events to be sent by e-mail and U.S. Mail later this week.

For more information on WAS Industry/Media Days, Jan. 30 – 31, 2013, contact Kristina Henry at (202) 237-7200, or kh@wanada.org.