RECORD SETTING
VANCOUVER AUTO SHOW SETS NEW ATTENDANCE MARK
So much for Vancouver being anti-car.
Last week’s Vancouver International Auto Show crested the sixfigure mark for the first time in the event’s 96-year history.
The turnstile count of 101,853 broke last year’s record-setting attendance by nearly 5,000 visitors, and this despite the fact this year’s show was one less day than last year’s.
The show’s executive director admitted he wasn’t sure how attendance would be affected by the loss of a full day as well as the timing of the event over Easter weekend and Spring Break for many school districts.
“But once again British Columbians showed that this event is the ultimate place to see, learn about and celebrate new vehicles,” Jason Heard said at the conclusion of the five-day show, which for a number of years has been the best attended consumer show in Western Canada.
Heard came on board last year, immediately enhancing the show experience by utilizing the main floor of the Vancouver Convention Centre to showcase exotic, luxury and collector vehicles.
Previously, only the lower floor of the centre was used.
“We are changing the definition of the auto show to reflect British Columbia’s love affair of everything from classic cars to hyper-luxury vehicles to family commuter vehicles,” Heard noted.
Singledayattendancewasextremely high, with last Friday setting a new single day record for attendance at 27,155 people.
Strong numbers were also recorded at the Green Ride-and-Drive event, a CEVforBC-sponsored program that allowed the public to get behind the wheel of a number of electric vehicles for a short spin around the downtown core. More than 900 people took advantage over a four-day period, doubling the number of participants from last year.
“The Vancouver International Auto Show proved to be a success once again with record attendance numbers and levels of engagement,” said Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., the show’s host.
“As Western Canada’s largest consumer show, we’re excited to see it continue to grow, and are looking forward to further developments and announcements for 2017.”
Heard pointed to a number of new initiatives he’s attracted to the show that helped drive ticket sales.
“Over the past two years the Vancouver show has developed a significant momentum, drawing international attention from media, exhibitors such as the NOS Energy DUB Show Tour — which selected the Vancouver Auto Show as the location of its Canadian debut — and the Chinese Auto Manufacturers Association, which sent a delegation to see the Vancouver show firsthand,” he said.
Despite setting a high bar once again, the executive director shows no indication of resting on his laurels.
“We are once again planning to expand the show in 2017 with the debut of a global conference on all things auto, which we plan to unveil in the coming months.”