I spent several days last week at the Chicago Auto Show. With more than 1,000 vehicles and new events daily, there was plenty to keep me interested.
Dating back to 1901, the CAS is the nation’s largest auto show and has been held 112 times, more than any such show in North America. The show fills 1 million square feet in two huge halls at McCormick Place.
As the first major auto show of the year, Chicago is the preferred place for automakers to reveal new models. After three decades of being first, Detroit moved its show to June this year, giving the advantage to Chicago. This should translate into a bigger attendance than ever. Attendance figures are not publicly available, but it is estimated more than 1 million people will have attended CAS in 2020. Nearby hotels and restaurants were at capacity all week.
© Photo by Jack Keenan
The 2020 CAS started with a Media Preview. This is my favorite day. It provides a chance to roam the show floor without the large public crowds. With just the press contingent, it was easy to check out any vehicle inside and out.
Although I admit I am not a “car guy,” I always love the CAS. I get to see and test-drive vehicles I never would have otherwise. In addition to the shiny new vehicles, I learn a lot from the panels. The technology is amazing, and unbelievable innovations continue to develop.
I had the pleasure of talking to race car driver Bryan Herta. After moving into team ownership, his team, Bryan Herta Autosports, won the 2011 and 2016 Indianapolis 500. Only in for the day, Herta missed dining downtown but was complimentary of the nearby Hyatt Regency.
I also caught up with ABC 7 Chicago newscaster Roz Varon. A veteran on the media scene and a cancer survivor, Varon is one of the most popular celebrity guests, although she humbly eschews the celebrity label. Many years back, I worked with Varon on a literacy ad campaign where she tirelessly gave her support and garnered a huge response.
I am not looking to get a new car, but I still had a great time at the CAS. Several days overlapping with Restaurant Week made for full days of awesome cars and delicious food. It’s been quite a week!
— John Wroblewski, online writer
© Photo by Jack Keenan
© Photo by Jack Keenan
© Photo by Jack Keenan
© Photo by Jack Keenan
Read This Next
Black-Owned Travel Essentials Companies
Daily
Jul 9, 2020Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jul 9, 2020Black-Owned Travel Essentials Companies
Packing for a trip can be stressful — making sure you have all the travel essentials. Don’t always rely on nearest store or mall for your travel needs, check out these Black-owned travel essentials companies.
Sponsored Content
Adventure of a Lifetime with Volvo
Looking for a truly unique travel experience and considering a new vehicle? The Volvo Overseas Delivery Program is the perfect solution to create your own adventure of a lifetime. Volvo allows you to custom order your new automobile tailored to fit your needs and desires. They will fly you to Sweden to pick up your Volvo so you can drive and explore Scandinavia and Europe on your terms for up to two weeks.
Leisure Lifestyle 2020
Jul 9, 2020Set Sail on a Luxurious Yacht with Dream Yacht Charter, The Moorings and More
IMAGINE SETTING SAIL IN AN EXOTIC, far-flung destination, just you and your family or group of friends aboard a private yacht. The sun warms the deck, a soft breeze dances off the water, and an über-attentive crew caters to your every whim while the personal chef whips up the finest of the local cuisine with all of your culinary preferences top of mind. All the while, the captain navigates the yacht into secluded coves; to pristine, seemingly undiscovered beaches; or even to the hottest spots along the coast for a night out on the town.
Daily
Jul 9, 2020New Boutique Brand Opens Nantucket Property Next Month
Life House, a new boutique hospitality brand, plans to open a new property in Nantucket next month. Life House, Nantucket follows similar hotels in Miami, Denver, Brooklyn and Chattanooga. The hotel, set within the historic Century House, is taking reservations for bookings beginning in August.
Sponsored Content
Goway Offers Travelers Journey of a Lifetime
Since 1970, Goway Travel has been committed to providing customized travel experiences for world travelers. Few things are better evidence of this commitment than being awarded the 2019 Trazees award for Favorite Tour Operator. Goway Travel heartily thanks the readers of Trazee Travel for this honor and for their confidence in Goway’s work in creating travel memories that’ll last a lifetime.
eFlyer Reviews
Jul 8, 2020Parkway Bakery & Tavern Review
My husband, friends and I visited Parkway Bakery & Tavern on a recent trip to New Orleans. The restaurant is one of the most well-known for the city’s signature sandwich, the po’ boy. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so we arrived close to when it opened and braved the already-long line.
Kimpton Hotels Ready to Welcome You Back
eFlyer Deals
Jul 8, 2020eFlyer Lead
Jul 8, 2020Oneworld Launches Customer Information Portal as Part of Commitment to Health, Wellbeing
Airline alliance oneworld launched an information portal for customers to provide updates on the health and wellbeing measures travelers can expect as part of the alliance’s member airlines’ commitment to passenger safety and care.
Sponsored Content
A Lighter Footprint
United Airlines’ environmentally friendly efforts lessen the impact on local U.S. communities.
Daily
Jul 8, 2020Airbnb Virtual Experiences for Pride, Olympics and Broadway
Airbnb, known for providing travelers with affordable vacation houses and rooms to rent, is now offering online experiences that would-be travelers can enjoy from the comfort of home.
ShareThis