Global prestige, local pride: the 2002 North American International Auto Show will prove to the world that Detroit still means business.The show must go on! Timeworn though that old show-biz phrase may be, it could easily be the mantra mantra (măn`trə, mŭn–), in Hinduism and Buddhism, mystic words used in ritual and meditation. A mantra is believed to be the sound form of reality, having the power to bring into being the reality it represents. of the organizers of the fast-approaching 2002 North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. International Auto Show An auto show, or motor show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year. at Detroit's Cobo Conference & Exhibition Center. Given the rocky state of the U.S. economy compounded by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the 2002 show promises to be one of the most interesting--not to say challenging--in the event's 85-year history. "We're challenged with the first (uncertain) economic situation that we've been in in many, many years, which affects everyone," notes NAIAS executive director Rod Alberts. "On top of that you've got all the other issues we have nationally with security." Alberts and his team want to make one point perfectly clear: When the curtain goes up at Cobo, the hard-hit automotive industry The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles. In 2006, more than 69 million motor vehicles, including cars and commercial vehicles were produced worldwide. will have the ideal opportunity to prove to the world that Detroit means business. In terms of both global prestige and local economic impact, Detroit's annual extravaganza ex·trav·a·gan·za n. 1. An elaborate, spectacular entertainment or display: "Washington is an extravaganza of great buildings, greenery, and monuments" Larry Griffin. ranks with the world's leading auto shows in Geneva Geneva, canton and city, Switzerland Geneva (jənē`və), Fr. Genève, canton (1990 pop. 373,019), 109 sq mi (282 sq km), SW Switzerland, surrounding the southwest tip of the Lake of Geneva. , Paris, Tokyo and Frankfurt. The show's biggest challenge isn't only the shaky economy or the post-Sept. 11 jitters jitters 'Butterflies' Psychology An episode of nervousness or anxiety that often precedes a public event; jitters is a type of performance anxiety which may affect actors in a stage production–stage fright or soloist musicians; it may respond to anxiolytics . It's also Cobo's relatively small 750,000 square feet of exhibit space. The folks at NAIAS could easily use another 300,000 square feet. When there's a will, there's a way. This year's show will feature more than 20 multi-level displays, effectively adding 106,000 square feet of space. Show planners gained another 100,000 feet by moving the food court from Michigan Michigan (mĭsh`ĭgən), upper midwestern state of the United States. It consists of two peninsulas thrusting into the Great Lakes and has borders with Ohio and Indiana (S), Wisconsin (W), and the Canadian province of Ontario (N,E). Hall to Cobo Arena. "After Michigan Hall is full we have to start looking at innovative ways to increase space," says NAIAS senior co-chair Michael Savoie. Using the sprawling Cobo roof for exhibit space is one creative option under consideration. Not only will the show go on--it'll go on an extra day. The 2002 event closes on a Monday (Jan. 21) to include the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, marking a departure from the traditional Sunday closing. S is for security Security is a key element in every step of the planning process for the auto show. "We've always had a security presence at the past shows, but now we have to take the next step higher," say Savoie. NAIAS officials hired security advisers who are working closely with city, county, state and federal law-enforcement agencies to guarantee that Cobo Center is secure for the press days (Jan. 6-8), industry preview days (Jan. 9-10) and the public show days (Jan. 12-21). During the press and industry preview days, only those with proper credentials CREDENTIALS, international law. The instruments which authorize and establish a public minister in his character with the state or prince to whom they are addressed. If the state or prince receive the minister, he can be received only in the quality attributed to him in his credentials. will be admitted to the exhibit floor--sorry, no exceptions. That could mean that some of the 240 members of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, the show's official host, may find that their access is limited. When the show opens to the general public on Jan. 12, security officers will be giving nearly 800,000 visitors more than the usual once-over. So the best advice to show-goers is to bring as few accessories as possible. It's an unfortunate byproduct by·prod·uct or by-prod·uct n. 1. Something produced in the making of something else. 2. A secondary result; a side effect. Noun 1. of a world transformed by the specter of terrorism. As Mike Savoie laments, "People go to auto shows to take pictures. Where do you draw the line?"
NAIAS '02 at a glance
Press days: Jan. 6-8
Industry preview days: Jan. 9-10
Charity preview: Jan. 11
Public show days: Jan. 12-21
Main attraction: 750 new production vehicles
and futurist concepts
Projected attendance: 800,000
Local economic impact: $450 million
Source: Detroit Auto Dealers Association
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