Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Commences the 2014 Chicago Auto Show
MEDIA INFORMATION
Contact: Mark Bilek
Director of Communications and Technology
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6082
Cell: (847) 652-0632
Email: mbilek@drivechicago.com
Contact: Jennifer Morand
Senior Public Relations and Social Media Manager
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6084
Cell: (630) 391-1986
Email: jmorand@drivechicago.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO (February 9, 2014) – The Chicago Auto Show officially opened to the public yesterday with the ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony. 2014 Chicago Auto Show Chairman Kurt Schiele and Chicago Auto Show General Manager Dave Sloan were joined by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle who collectively cut the ceremonial red ribbon to officially kick off the 2014 Chicago Auto Show.
Schiele highlighted partnerships that the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), producers of the Chicago Auto Show, formed with the USO of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) to provide support to local troops and their families and put veterans back to work. Last summer, the CATA successfully partnered with the USO of Illinois on the USO BBQ for the Troops program, where 70 CATA dealers hosted individual barbeques to raise more than $37,000 for local troops and their families. Additionally, Schiele acknowledged an ongoing partnership between the CATA and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) where the CATA helped to provide veteran candidates with training and lined them up with interviews within local dealerships.
The ceremony continued with a color guard presentation by the 2d Battalion, 24th Marines and the Spirit of the USO trio national anthem. Active military in the crowd were invited to be the first to enter the 2014 Chicago Auto Show at no cost.
This year marks the 106th edition of the Chicago Auto Show. First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent.
In all, nearly 1,000 different vehicles will be on display during this year’s 10-day show. The Chicago Auto Show features hundreds of interactive, aftermarket, accessories and auto-related exhibits, competition vehicles, antique and collector cars. For more information about the Chicago Auto Show, please visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.
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About the Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest 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 American vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity raises more than $2 million annually for 18 worthy Chicago organizations in a single night. The 2014 public show will be February 8-17. For more information, visit ChicagoAutoShow.com or Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow. Media can register for the Chicago Auto Show Media Preview at chicagoautoshow.com/media/.
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 nearly 20,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information, visit CATA.info.
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