Chicago Auto Show Launches 2015 Website

MEDIA INFORMATION
Contact: Mark Bilek
Senior Director of Communications and Technology
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6082
Cell: (847) 652-0632
Email: mbilek@drivechicago.com

Contact: Jennifer Morand
Director of Public Relations and Social Media
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6084
Cell: (630) 391-1986
Email: jmorand@drivechicago.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO AUTO SHOW LAUNCHES 2015 WEBSITE

CHICAGO (Oct. 21, 2014) – The Chicago Auto Show today launched a completely redesigned website in anticipation of the 107th edition of the nation’s largest auto show. Building on last year’s fully responsive redesign, ChicagoAutoShow.com now features seamless social media integration, historical videos, and bigger bolder image galleries.

Highlighting its extremely active social media channels, the show’s website features Facebook and Twitter conversations on nearly every page. In addition, the site now hosts a social media wall that’s constantly updated with the latest conversations across all social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Vine and Pinterest. The show’s listing of vehicles on display, photo galleries and videos are designed to take advantage of today’s large, touch-screen monitors while still responsive enough to remain fully functional on compact mobile devices.

“We want our attendees to connect to the show on every level,” said John Webb, 2015 Chicago Auto Show chairman. “We will be providing free high-speed Wi-Fi at the show to allow showgoers to effortlessly share their experience through social media, our website and our official Chicago Auto Show app.”

The 2015 Chicago Auto Show website raises the bar with recently unearthed and uploaded historical videos that have been integrated into its best-in-class Show History section. These videos give site visitors a chance to see and experience famous vehicles and concepts as they were first presented on the show floor.

Returning features include user-controlled webcams with a live-streaming capability, daily event schedules, show floor maps, online ticket purchases, detailed directions and a newsroom for registered media. Together these elements form a winning combination that engages visitors year-round. 

Key features of ChicagoAutoShow.com include:

• About the Show: includes directions, show dates and times, interactive displays, special guest appearances and more.
• First Look for Charity: the online home for the show's signature charity fundraiser, visitors can learn more about the event, purchase tickets and even find discounts on tuxedo rentals.
• Multimedia: the Chicago Auto show comes to life with a virtual tour, photo galleries, more than 200 videos and webcams while providing the latest news via its official blog.
• Vehicles on Display: the most comprehensive listing of the new 2014 and 2015 models, concept cars and new-product reveals.
• Media, Sponsor and Exhibitor microsites: exclusive content for media members, potential and current sponsors and exhibitors.
•  Show History: the Chicago Auto Show has an extensive history, and the story is told here with a series of classic videos and photos beginning in 1901.

“We’re proud of many things, but the Chicago Auto Show History and Vehicles on Display sections are unmatched," continued Webb. "With a rich history like the Chicago Auto Show, we wanted to capture the memorable moments and vehicles dating all the way back to the show’s inception in 1901 while, at the same time, let attendees know exactly what they will be seeing at the show this year. The connection with DriveChicago.com and real dealer inventory is exclusive to the Chicago Auto Show website and something unique in the industry.”

The website’s Vehicles on Display section adds real-time inventory from Chicagoland’s new-car dealers, provided by DriveChicago.com. This allows site visitors to sift through more than 40,000 new cars directly on ChicagoAutoShow.com as they are browsing their favorite vehicles.

One way the Chicago Auto Show engages its fan base is through frequent social media contests, the most recent being an opportunity to help select the 2015 Chicago Auto Show poster design. Across its social media channels, Chicago Auto Show fans currently have the chance to cast their vote for one of three designs. Fans can vote on any of the Chicago Auto Show social media channels. Voting closes at midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Web development company AmericanEagle.com continues to be a valuable partner in the success of ChicagoAutoShow.com.

“The Chicago Auto Show has been a longtime customer of ours and their outstanding team is one of the biggest contributors to the site’s growing and continued success,” said Michael Svanascini, president of Americaneagle.com. "Our goal is to give Chicago Auto Show fans a dynamic, optimal online experience, not only on the show dates but all year round.”

The 2015 Chicago Auto Show will be open to the public February 14-22. For more information regarding the show or to check out the website’s refreshed content, please visit ChicagoAutoShow.com.

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About the Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show on the continent, spanning more than 1 million square feet of production, concept, and exotic vehicle exhibit space. In addition to hosting multiple world and North America vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity raises more than $2 million annually for 18 vital Chicago organizations in a single night. The 2015 public show will be February 14-22. For more information, visit ChicagoAutoShow.com or Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.

About The Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is the nation’s oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization. It is comprised of more than 400 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group’s dealer members employ about 19,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information please visit CATA.info.

The 2015 Chicago Auto Show is officially sanctioned by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers. Founded in Paris in 1919, it is known as the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles.

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