2024 CAS FAQs

Admission prices are as follows:

• $17 for adults
• $12 for seniors aged 62 and older
• $12 for children 4-12
• Free Admission for children 3 and younger when accompanied by a paying adult. Family members only.

All ticket sales are final. You can purchase online or at the show box office. Since McCormick Palce is a cashless facility, all tickets must be purchased with credit or debit cards.

This City of Chicago charges a 9% amusement tax and Cook County charges a 3% amusement tax on the total purchase price of event tickets. This tax must be paid by the attendee and collected by the event.

Tickets are valid for one entry into the show. Once they are scanned, they are no longer valid. Reentry is permitted (just make sure to get your hand stamped).

Yes, the show will again offer a box office at McCormick Place. Credit and debit cards only. Cash will not be accepted this year. Box office closes one hour prior to the show closing. 

No, an ID is not required for entry. However, it may be required to participate in a test drive. 

Chicago Automobile Trade Association member dealers can purchase discount tickets for non-profit organizations. See DriveChicago.com for a complete listing of dealers.

On Feb. 14, all first responders (police officers, EMTs, paramedics and fire fighters) and U.S. Military (veterans or active duty) may visit an identified location at the event to show their badge or military ID for free entry. Guests that accompany first responders or military personnel on that day receive a voucher for $5 off an adult admission. 

The show box office accepts credit, debit, and gift cards. The following card types are accepted: American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa. 

McCormick Place is a cashless facility. Cash is not accepted anywhere within the building.

First Look for Charity requires a strict black-tie dress code. Males are required to wear a tuxedo and females should wear an elegant dress or gown.

Should you forget your tuxedo, we will conveniently have a rental company on-site.

To purchase your ticket and to find additional details regarding the event, please visit FirstLookForCharity.org.

For packages of 25 or more tickets, please call the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, producer of the Chicago Auto Show, at (630) 495-2282.

Yes. There is a ticket booth set up on the 2.5 level of the Grand Concourse. There is also tuxedo rental available on site. 

One highlight of the First Look for Charity is the vehicle giveaway. Over the years, lucky winners have driven off with the keys to more than 50 vehicles, including a Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper. Any attendee who has purchased a ticket is eligible to win. However, the winner must be present at the time of the drawing, which will take place at 8 p.m. in the Grand Concourse.

Children are more than welcome to attend First Look for Charity. However, a full-price ticket is required. Additionally, all attendees must wear black-tie clothing (a tuxedo for males; an appropriate dress or gown for females).

The tax decuctible portion of a First Look for Charity ticket in 2024 is $268.

You may send a letter indicating a desire for consideration to:
 
First Look for Charity
18W200 Butterfield Rd.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Please explain the reason you’d like to be considered along with your charity’s cause. If admitted, a charity can participate in the event up to nine years. Please understand that many area organizations have appealed for consideration, so the wait to join is long.

All items are subject to visual inspection by security personnel. Clutch purses (under 9” x 5” x 2” or smaller) are permitted to carry into the event. When an infant is present, diaper bags and strollers are permitted.  No other bags will be permitted. 

The public show runs Feb. 10-19. 

The show hours are as follows: 

• Open every day at 10 a.m.
• Closes at 9 p.m. Feb. 10 & Feb. 12-18
• Closes at 6 p.m., Feb. 11 
• Closes at 8 p.m., Feb. 19 

The Chicago Auto Show general information line is 630-495-2282.

Photography and videography is not only permitted, it is encouraged!

Please feel free to take photos/videos of displays.

Use of photography equipment that does not intrude on your fellow show-goers -- cameras, camcorders, camera phones and the like --  is fine by us.

Yes, there is a coat and luggage check available for your convenience. The coat check is located adjacent to the Grand Ballroom in the Grand Concourse. The price is controlled by McCormick Place. Generally it is less than $5 per item.

The Chicago ordinance bans smoking inside all buildings as well as 15 feet within any building’s perimeters. If attendees wish to smoke, they must exit McCormick Place to find designated smoking areas located 15 feet away from the building.

Yes, the majority of restrooms inside McCormick Place are equipped with changing stations.

Most every production vehicle on the floor is unlocked for attendees. One-of-a-kind concepts are for viewing only, and a few of the displays for high-end cars give unfettered access to select patrons.

All items are subject to visual inspection by security personnel. Only clear tote bags (12”x12”x6” or smaller) and clutch purses (under 9" x 5" x 2" or smaller) are allowed. When an infant is present, diaper bags and strollers are permitted. Outside food and beverage are allowed but the items must conform the Chicago Auto Show's bag policy. Food and beverages are available for purchase on-site.

If any of your belongings are lost during your visit to the Chicago Auto Show, please check with McCormick Place security at (312) 791-6060.

No, the Chicago Auto Show is an exhibition only. However, product specialists are available to answer any questions you have regarding the vehicles on display. If you are interested in purchasing a new vehicle, representatives can help direct you to a dealer that is within a convenient location from your home or office.

No, free WiFi is not available at this time.

Yes, the official Chicago Auto Show gift shop is located in the main ticket lobby.

Children are more than welcome at the show and there are plenty of activities and fun displays they can play with at various booths.

Only documented service animals are allowed. 

No, McCormick Place is a gun-free zone. 

All patrons are subject to search.

Yes.

Thank you for your interest, we do not exclude any manufacturers. If an auto maker is not present at our show, it is because they have elected not to participate. We urge you to contact them and ask them why they feel they don't need to participate. 

Yes, we have several hotel partners. You can get more information here: https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/about-the-show/official-hotels/. 

McCormick Place offers on-site parking. There are three main McCormick Place lots: A, B & C.

• Lot A: $25 (or $30 after 16 hours) 
• Lot B: $17
• Lot C: $25

*After 6 p.m. during Chicago Auto Show dates, the parking rate is reduced to $11 at all three lots.

Parking fees can be paid by credit card; VISA, MasterCard and American Express are accepted. Parking lots are open throughout event hours. Overnight parking is not available, and there are no in-and-out privileges.

There is no shuttle available, but you can park in the Soldier Field lot. The Chicago Auto Show does not operate that lot or set rates. 

Valet parking is offered by the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, which adjoins the convention center, but spots are limited for those not staying at the hotel.

DuSable/Lake Shore Drive is a boulevard, that means pickups are not allowed. However, you don’t need to drive on Lake Shore Drive to get to McCormick Place if you are coming from 55. Park in Lot A and you will be fine. 

The cab line is at the Martin Luther King Drive turnaround, which is located between the West and North/South Buildings. 

Scooter and wheelchair rentals are available through Scootaround. Scooter rentals are $70.00 a day and wheelchair rentals are $25.00 a day. Scootaround accepts all major credit cards. Scootaround is located at Gate 4 of McCormick Place (west end of the Grand Concourse). Scooter and wheelchair rentals are on a first-come first-serve basis. For more contact Scootaround toll-free at (888) 441-7575.

All McCormick Place parking lots include a number of stalls reserved for handicapped parkers.

*However, Lot A is closest in distance to the show floor. Lot A’s entrance is at I-55 and Martin Luther King Drive.

Individuals with mobility impairment are allowed to use ADA compliant mobility devices. Other powered mobility decives are not allowed.

Documented service animals are permitted in the show. No other pets will be permitted into the show.

Yes, there are handicap accessible restrooms for guests at the Chicago Auto Show in McCormick Place.

Elevators are accessible for use at the show. The elevators operate during the entirety of the Chicago Auto Show.

Yes, handicapped individuals can be dropped off at the horseshoe-shaped taxi stand that is accessible at Martin Luther King Drive and what essentially is 23rd Street. If the vehicle's license plate doesn't include the symbol, just show your handicap placard to police directing traffic and the police will give you access to the taxi area.

All patrons are subject to search upon entry. It is up to the discretion of McCormick Place and show security if large items will be admitted to the show.

The best area to drop off physically challenged individuals is the Martin Luther King turnaround. It is located immediately adjacent to the wheelchair and scooter rental facility.

Yes, there are family restrooms located in the Grand Concourse. 

Scooters and wheelchairs are provided by Scootaround. The office is located at Gate 4 of McCormick Place. More information here. 

Yes, in fact McCormick Place is a cashless facility. Only credit and debit cards are accepted for tickets and at show vendors.
 

Yes, alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at the Chicago Auto Show. Due to regulations at McCormick Place, outside alcohol cannot be brought into the show.

Outside food and beverage are allowed but the items must conform the Chicago Auto Show's bag policy. Food and beverages are available for purchase on-site. 

You can find information about Food & Beverage options here.

The 2024 Media Preview will be Feb 8-9. Click here for more information. 

To apply for media credentials, please click here.

These details will be posted here closer to the show.

The full map of exhibitors will be avaialble on the Chicago Auto Show website in late Nov. These details will be posted here.

With limited exceptions, every vehicle that enters the building during move-in remains at the show until its conclusion.

No selling is permitted on the show floor – that is the beauty of the Chicago Auto Show! Product specialists will be on-site to help answer all of your questions regarding the cars on display. Should you be interested in purchasing a vehicle, representatives can direct you to your closest dealership so you can initiate that process.

Yes, vintage automobiles will be displayed by several car clubs at the show.

Yes, the Illinois Secretary of State will have a booth at the Chicago Auto Show. Visitors to the booth can renew their driver’s license (vision screening only) and ID card. Additional services provided include vehicle transfers, vehicle sticker sales, passenger and B-Truck license plates, specialty license plates, vehicle title and registration, parking placards for persons with disabilities, and pick-a-plate. The public also can register to be organ/tissue donors.

Several of the automakers have areas dedicated for customers. Entry into those spaces is at the discretion of the automaker. 

Access to the vehicles is at the discretion of the automakers. We work very closely with each automaker to provide the best access possible. 

Yes, if you bring the necessary documentation, you can get a REAL ID at the SoS booth here at the show. 

Yes, all show attendees can ride as passengers with the professional drivers on the designated tracks on the show floor. In addition, there are outdoor test drive opportunities where attendees can get behind the wheel and drive.

Each manufacturer sets age limits for riders, but guests must be at least 42 inches tall.

*There is no additional fee to participate!

Each manufacturer sets their age limit for ride-alongs, but guests must be at least 42 inches tall in order to ride in the vehicles on the test track.

The special guest appearance schedule is posted here and is updated as we are notified, so please be sure to check back fom time to time.

The Chicago Auto Show management does not hire individuals. Rather, it retains firms that provide ushers and security. For such work, contact AF Services, (630) 279-0500. Many other workers in the building are employees of McCormick Place, (312) 791-7000.

People who set up and dismantle the displays are arranged for by the show's general contractor, GES Exposition Services, (773) 767-2237 or chicago@ges.com.

As for the people who work in the various exhibits, they are hired by the vehicle manufacturers, like Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge. For those opportunities, suggest you turn to the websites of the vehicle manufacturers and search the sites either for Employment or Contact Us.

Chicago Auto Show management does not hire models; they are retained by the exhibitors themselves. The automakers turn primarily to three Detroit-area agencies and hire models months before the auto show in order to train them. You can inquire about modeling on the auto show circuit by contacting the modeling agencies:

• The I Group Model & Talent Management, Southfield, Mich., (248) 522-8842, http://www.theigroup.com/
• Gail & Rice Productions, Southfield, Mich., (248) 799-5000, www.gail-rice.com/
• Productions Plus, Birmingham, Mich., (800) 437-9815, www.productions-plus.com/