Posts Tagged ‘Geoff Pohanka’

The 2016 Geneva Motor Show

First held in 1905 the Geneva Motor Show has hosted almost all major internal combustion engine models in the history of the automobile, along with benzene- and steam-powered cars from the beginning of the century. Exotic supercars often steal the spotlight during their debuts at the show. Prototypes, new equipment, technical breakthroughs and international partnerships have been announced at the exhibition. The show is regarded as a level playing field for the world’s automakers, aided by the fact Switzerland lacks an auto industry of its own.

See highlights from this year’s show below:

Geoff Pohanka, chairman of The Washington Auto Show, John O'Donnell, ceo of Washington Area New Automobile Dealer Association, Daniel Jobe of the Washington Auto Show Committee, Rod Alberts, executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA).

Geoff Pohanka, chairman of The Washington Auto Show, John O’Donnell, ceo of Washington Area New Automobile Dealer Association, Daniel Jobe of the Washington Auto Show Committee, Rod Alberts, executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA).

Geoff Pohanka, chairman of The Washington Auto Show, Robert Moran, director of corporate communications, Mercedes-Benz USA, John O'Donnell, ceo of Washington Area New Automobile Dealer Association.

Geoff Pohanka, chairman of The Washington Auto Show, Robert Moran, director of corporate communications, Mercedes-Benz USA, John O’Donnell, ceo of Washington Area New Automobile Dealer Association.

The Marvelous McLaren 570GT.

The Marvelous McLaren 570GT.

Robert Yoffe, show manager, The Washington Auto Show, John Paolo Canton, senior public relations manager, Americas Region at McLaren Group Ltd and John O'Donnell, ceo, The Washington Auto Show.

Robert Yoffe, show manager, The Washington Auto Show, John Paolo Canton, senior public relations manager, Americas Region at McLaren Group Ltd and John O’Donnell, ceo, The Washington Auto Show.

Daniel Jobe, committee member, The Washington Auto Show.

Daniel Jobe, committee member, The Washington Auto Show.

"Stylish Man, Sexy Car" John O'Donnell, ceo, The Washington Auto Show looks great next to a lovely Lamborghini.

“Stylish Man, Sexy Car”
John O’Donnell, ceo, The Washington Auto Show looks great next to a lovely Lamborghini.

1952 Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante

1952 Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante

Koenigsegg ... can we say HOT?

Koenigsegg … can we say HOT?

Very pretty product specialists.

Very pretty product specialists.

Barbara Pomerance, ceo, Pomerance & Associates graces a Lamborghini.

Barbara Pomerance, ceo, Pomerance & Associates graces a Lamborghini.

The MacLaren 675LT IS the power of WOW!

The McLaren 675LT IS the power of WOW!

The Washington Auto Show® Announces Geoff Pohanka as New Chairman

Geoff Pohanka, President and CEO of Pohanka Automotive Group will chair the 2016 Washington Auto Show

Geoff Pohanka, President and CEO of Pohanka Automotive Group will chair the 2016 Washington Auto Show

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 2, 2015 – The Washington Auto Show® (WAS), the automotive industry’s annual public policy show and the largest public show held in Washington, D.C., is pleased to announce that Geoff Pohanka, President and CEO of Pohanka Automotive Group, a long established company of automotive dealerships located throughout the greater Washington region, and member of the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA), will chair the 2016 Washington Auto Show.

“Not only is Geoff Pohanka a successful business executive who is passionate about the future of the automotive industry and the Washington D.C. community, he is also an industry leader with the experience and vision to lead the Washington Auto Show into 2016 and beyond,” said John O’Donnell, CEO of WANADA.

As board chairman of WANADA in 1998, Pohanka put Washington on course to become a world premier auto show when he encouraged WANADA leaders to systematically interact with OEM exhibitors at their headquarter locations and at the tier-one industry auto shows in the U.S. and Europe.

“Washington is the only auto show venue in the world with the U.S. Congress down the street, which for better or worse, is the partner of the OEMs in automotive design,” Pohanka said. “Leveraging itself into the “public policy show” on the auto show circuit was as logical as it was natural for Washington, and that affords a thoroughly unique annual opportunity for OEM exhibitors everywhere,” he said.

Committed to public service, Pohanka has returned to the Board of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) representing Metropolitan Washington dealers.  He previously served on the NADA Board for two terms from 2002-2008.

He is a recipient of the American International Automobile Dealers (AIADA) All-Star Dealer Award, the Time Magazine dealer of the year award, and the Community Foundation of Prince Georges County Vision Award. He currently serves on the board of the Prince Georges County Business Roundtable, as a Trustee of Saint James School in Hagerstown Maryland, Honorary Commander of Joint Base Andrews in Clinton MD and as a United States Air Force Air Mobility Command Civic Leader.

SHOW DATES:

Jan. 20:  Public Policy Preview Day on Capitol Hill.

Jan. 21:  Public Policy Preview Day at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center – daylong schedule of events for government, industry and media capped off by a Sneak Peek Reception

Jan. 22-Jan. 31: Consumer Days – Ten-day show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

About WANADA and the Washington Auto Show

The 2016 staging of the Washington Auto Show in Washington, DC will offer a showcase of more than 700 vehicles from over 42 domestic and import auto manufacturers and a special exhibit of the world’s most luxurious rides. In addition, the Washington Auto Show has been accredited by OICA, the industry credentialing organization for the top auto shows in the world, as one of the five top-tier auto shows in America. The 2016 Washington Auto Show’s Public Policy Preview Days will take place Wednesday, Jan. 20 on Capitol Hill and Thursday, Jan. 21 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center followed by the 10-day consumer show from Friday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 31.

 

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