The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is and has been a central part of Detroit’s automotive culture since the first Detroit Auto Show was held in 1907. We see the excitement from those who come from around the world and the car-lovers our city has bred through decades of automotive history.
The show has changed along with our city and the automotive industry, and we are looking forward to its next major shift coming in 2020, when it will move from January to June. The new dates will allow for more outdoor, experiential and interactive exhibits to and will give us a chance to showcase the warmer summer side of our city to guests from around the globe.
Franco has a long history with NAIAS, from supporting clients at the show each year to helping the show itself rebrand from the Detroit Auto Show to NAIAS in 1997. With all the changes coming to the auto show, our automotive team is gearing up for its return to Cobo Center in just a couple short weeks.
The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) will make a splash during NAIAS at their exhibit in the main concourse during the NAIAS Press Preview and Industry Days. The entire SMDI account team heads to Cobo for Preview Week to support SMDI’s efforts and to execute on months of planning and coordination of media interviews, social media and influencer campaigns, exhibit space designs and collaboration with clients before the show to help their vision come to life.
Our clients from the Haartz Corporation, the leaders in convertible topping material, are participating in the show as a sponsor of the annual EyesOn Design Awards on Tuesday, January 15. The officially sanctioned design awards of NAIAS, EyesOn Design honors the best production and concept vehicles making their debut in Detroit during NAIAS.
Just down the road from Cobo, the GMRENCEN (another Franco client) will host travelers from around the world in the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, and will continue its year-long auto show in GM World.
NAIAS brings together automakers, suppliers, media and car-lovers from around the world for a few weeks here in Detroit, and of all the excitement that comes with the show, our favorite part is reconnecting with our friends from around the industry. From the Automotive Press Association’s annual reception kicking off Preview Week to the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Industry Preview event, we’re looking forward to kicking off the New Year with a January filled with automotive events.
Dan Horn is an account supervisor at Franco. You can send him an email at [email protected].
