The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) last week hosted more than 300 OEM, industry, and media partners to initiate the countdown toward the 2020 show, which will take place in June rather than January for the first time in decades.
Rod Alberts, executive director of the show and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, and Doug North, the show’s 2020 chairman, announced multiple partnerships that they say will continue to drive momentum for the June event.
“The 2020 NAIAS will be an event like no other,” says North. “Automakers and industry organizations will reveal the newest products to-date, experiential ride-and-drives will be both indoors and outdoors, and we’ll host guests from across the globe all in the beautiful downtown Detroit.”
The event will be taking place in its traditional Cobo Center location while expanding an additional 1 million square feet into Hart Plaza. NAIAS also will add the Crowne Plaza Hotel as another hub for content such as symposiums and panel discussions during the event. Industry and media attendees will hear from tech startups, automakers, and industry experts on a wide-range of industry-impacting topics during Industry Preview days, June 10-11.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced the renewal of its partnership with NAIAS. This engagement with the show includes continued sponsorship of AutoMobili-D and the PlanetM technology exhibit that features more than 200 mobility and start-up companies annually. At the 2020 NAIAS, the PlanetM exhibit area will move to the main show floor from Cobo Center’s Hall E in recognition of the increasing role tech and mobility companies have with the automotive industry.
NAIAS also has partnered with the Downtown Detroit Partnership to activate technology-focused programming through the downtown parks managed by DDP, including Campus Martius Park, Cadillac Square, Grand Circus Park, Capitol Park, and Beacon Park.
The North American Car, Utility, and Truck of the Year Awards along with the Automotive Press Association and the Society of Automotive Analysts will continue their partnerships with the show, as well. In January, NACTOY will announce its awards during a press conference at Cobo Center in partnership with NAIAS. The awards will announce their 2021 contenders at the 2020 NAIAS in June. The APA and SAA will continue its partnership by hosting their events in conjunction with the NAIAS.
The city of Detroit announced the annual Detroit Moves event will run in parallel with the NAIAS. Detroit Moves is an event showcasing mobility solutions for cities and is a partnership between the Quicken Loans Community Fund, Detroit Regional Chamber’s MICHauto, Detroit Mobility Lab, PlanetM, and the city.
“The month of June will be one the automotive industry will own in the city of Detroit,” Alberts says. “Kicking off with the Detroit Grand Prix, hosting the show in parallel with MICHauto’s Detroit Moves, and closing with the Ford Fireworks highlights Detroit’s heritage of being the Motor City better than anything else. We’re looking forward to an amazing month and an even better event and thank you all for your partnerships.”
Key 2020 NAIAS Dates:
The Gallery: Saturday, June 6
Press Preview: Tuesday, June 9 – Wednesday, June 10
AutoMobili-D: Tuesday, June 9 – Thursday, June 11
Industry Preview: Wednesday, June 10 – Thursday, June 11
Charity Preview: Friday, June 12
Public Show: Saturday, June 13 – Saturday, June 20
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