The 2016 Washington Auto Show
The Washington Auto Show is the largest public show in Washington, DC. It provides an opportunity to explore the latest cars, technologies and innovations in safety and sustainability, from clean diesel to biofuels and electric vehicles.
The show, which is preceded by two media days, was schedule Jan. 22-31, in the Washington Convention Center. Unfortunately, Jonas happened. The Blizzard of 2016 forced the show to delay opening for four days. In spite of the delay, we prevailed. Below is an inside look at some of the people who worked endlessly on the show and their comradery while making things happen – and, of course – a few of my favorite highlights of the show.
Members of the Foreign Press and International Motor Press Association shuttled to Washington, DC from New York City via Amtrak.
An on-road demonstration traveled from Capitol Hill to the show site, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. It was led by the vintage 1915 Ford model T named to the National Historic Vehicle Register by the show’s partner, the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA). This car had just completed the same road trip completed a century ago by Edsel Ford and his friends from Detroit to San Francisco.
Auto show chairman Geoff Pohanka, wearing the traditional “snow hat” and show producer John O’Donnell wished for the best … Winter Storm Jonas did not appease them.
So we put on our snow boots …
… and sported our new hats.
The snow may have delayed the show …
… but lots of love was still around.
We made the most of it.
We said our prayers …
… and stopped to admire public art
We even left our mark …
… and made a new friend along the way.
We took a bit of time to enjoy the local fare.
When sun appeared …
… we saluted the warmth of her glow and got ready, once again, to begin the auto show.
We put a picture-perfect shine on the cars.
Unlike Homer & Bart, not once did we work on each others’ nerves.
We enjoyed art cars …
Live painting …
Bikes …
Handsome models …
And, a serious look at the ART-of-Motion exhibit by Automotive Rhythms.
Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals, Congressman Steny Hoyer, Chris Duffley of American Red Cross, Alek Skarlatos, the American Hero who stopped a terrorist on a Paris bound train and show producer John O’Donnell took a moment to pose for my camera.
We even celebrated the 20 year anniversaries of Bob Yoffe, show manager and Barbara Pomerance, communications director working together on The Washington Auto Show.
Then we hugged goodbye and wished each other well until next year.
