Chicago Auto Show Sponsors Ready to Engage the Masses
As the nation's largest auto show approaches, sponsors of the 2017 Chicago Auto Show prepare to engage the masses. Foresight Research reports that 65 percent of people who visit the Chicago Auto Show come to shop - a statistic that applies to all exhibitors, including sponsors.
The roster of returning premier partners includes State Farm, Fifth Third Bank and Shell. In addition to premium exhibit space on the show floor and market-wide promotional activities, premier partners enjoy category exclusivity and receive additional exposure to show attendees through the premier partner benefits package.
Additional show sponsors include Xfinity, Steel Market Development Institute and the Chicago Tribune.
"We work with each one of our sponsors on tailored opportunities and activations that heighten the attendee show experience," said Tim McBride, Chicago Auto Show director of marketing. "We find the outcome is better on both sides - the exhibitors help fill a need that the consumers want, and the activations give the sponsors the best chance to engage a key audience."
For example, State Farm returns with the popular interactive Garage exhibit. This year attendees will be able to check out the ultimate home and auto combo State Farm RoadHouse in addition to participating in a complete line-up of hands-on experiences. State Farm representatives will also field thousands of questions and assist attendees at the Here to Help Center in the Grand Concourse throughout the public show.
Fifth Third Bank will be the go-to source for consumers looking to score discounted tickets to the opening weekend of the show. Fifth Third customers using a Fifth Third Mastercard online or presenting their card at the Chicago Auto Show ticket window will receive $3 off the regular adult admission on Saturday, Feb. 11 and Sunday, Feb. 12. Show-goers will once again be able to take advantage of the Fifth Third Bank ATMs located throughout the show floor. Additionally, Fifth Third Bank will host a special financial literacy program, EmpowerU, for more than 250 Chicago-area students during the Media Preview on Feb. 10. The program is intended to inspire the students to realize their car ownership and future dreams through good financial habits and responsible driving. Students and participants are encouraged to use the special event hashtag #53AutoShow.
Shell will help fuel excitement for the show by offering weekday discount coupons at more than 300 Chicagoland locations. On the show floor, attendees will be able to sign up for the Fuel Rewards Network and can win cents per gallon off their next gas purchase by testing their luck at the Shell themed spin-the-wheel game. Shell plans to give away six years' total supply of gas through its Flash Fuel Giveaway, taking place exclusively in the South Hall. Shell gas cards will also be featured alongside other great prizes for attendees activating the new Chicago Auto Show epass.
Xfinity will appear onsite again this year and will engage consumers via social media by encouraging attendees to participate in a superfast supercar social media challenge. To drive home Xfinity's "superfast" services, show attendees can enter photos they take of vehicles featured in the show's Supercar Gallery or by posting their dream car. Xfinity will award fans prizes at random and even select a few to receive exclusive Supercar Gallery access.
New to the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) is the presenting sponsor of the show's industry-only Concept & Technology Garage event. The Concept & Technology Garage provides national and local media an opportunity to take a deeper dive into today's automotive technology and capture footage of the cars. SMDI representatives will be on hand and available to connect with media and industry representatives. Additionally, SMDI will sponsor a portion of the new What Drives Her at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show luncheon and panel, another industry-only event that will be held prior to the Concept & Technology Garage. Jody Hall, SMDI vice president, automotive market, will serve on a panel that is moderated by Bridget Brennan, author of Why She Buys. This event will aim to honor and celebrate women with integral roles in the automotive industry.
Finally, the Chicago Tribune will return as the primary sponsor of Women's Day on Wed., Feb. 15 with programs and events geared towards females. The Chicago Tribune will team up again with ChicagonistaLIVE to host a public-facing program called Women Driving Excellence to acknowledge and honor influential women in and around Chicagoland. Honorees from 2016 included Lisa Madigan, Dee Alexander and Marilynn Kelly Gardner.
For more information on the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, please visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.
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