Posts Tagged ‘2016 Washington Auto Show’
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.
Honda Executive VP John Mendel to Open 2016 Washington Auto Show With Keynote Remarks on Public Policy Day
With mobility and sustainability as its driving forces, The Washington Auto Show® announces a keynote speaker representing a company that embodies these very ideals.
John Mendel, executive vice president of the Automobile Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., will discuss Honda’s vision for the future of sustainable mobility and its contribution to empowering drivers to take the wheel of a greener, cleaner world, including the path to a hydrogen energy society.
Mendel’s speech, which will launch the Washington Auto Show’s Public Policy Preview Day on Thursday, Jan. 21 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, follows the world premiere of the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell at the Tokyo Motor Show this fall.
“Honda has become synonymous with innovation, and we are proud to set the stage for this company’s game-changing leadership and ideas,” said Washington Auto Show Chairman Geoff Pohanka.
Known as the “public policy show” on the global auto show circuit, The Washington Auto Show capitalizes on Washington’s unique address to draw Members of Congress, regulatory officials, and Members of Congress and their staff to witness the latest technologies advancing the automotive industry and bolstering the U.S. economy.
Mendel’s address, sponsored by the Washington Automotive Press Association (WAPA), and the International Motor Press Association (IMPA) will kick off a daylong schedule of press announcements and special events culminating in a “Sneak Peek” reception for officials in government, industry and media.
The address is traditionally opened by a leader of a major automobile manufacturer; past speakers have included such luminaries as DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche, Volkswagen CEO Stefan Jacoby, Ford CEO Alan Mulally, GM CEO Dan Akerson and Johan de Nysschen, global president of Cadillac.
As executive vice president of the Automobile Division of American Honda, Mendel holds responsibilities as the head of U.S. sales and marketing activities for both the Honda and Acura brands as well as Acura Parts and Service field operations and Honda and Acura market representation, customer marketing, dealer business management and product and sales information.
Prior to joining American Honda 11 years ago, Mendel spent 28 years with Ford Motor Company. He began his career with Ford Motor Company’s U.S. operations in 1976 and held numerous sales and marketing positions, ultimately serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer for Mazda North American Operations. Mendel holds undergraduate degrees in business and economics and a master of business administration from Duke University.
Featuring more than 700 new vehicles from over 42 manufacturers, The 2016 Washington Auto Show opens to the public from Jan. 22-Jan. 31 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and is produced by WANADA.
Founded in 1917, WANADA represents more than 225 franchised new vehicle dealers and 75 kindred-line members (related vendors) in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland.
Representing hundreds of journalists and industry executives throughout the Baltimore-Washington area, WAPA seeks to improve communication between automotive journalists in the Baltimore-Washington area and the automotive industry, regulators and other groups; further the accuracy and quality of automotive journalism; offer networking and information-sharing opportunities and ongoing education for its members; and provide a forum for newsworthy people and products.
For more information about WANADA, visit: www.wanada.org.
For more information about WAPA, visit: www.washautopress.org, IMPA, visit www.impa.org.
For more information about The Washington Auto Show, visit: www.washingtonautoshow.com.
