CHICAGO, Jan. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Chicago Auto Show is proud to announce Cars.com, State Farm and Wintrust as premier partners of the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, Feb. 10-19 at McCormick Place. In addition to premium exhibit and branding space on the show floor and market-wide promotional activities, premier partners enjoy category exclusivity and receive additional exposure to show attendees through a benefits package.
"As the nation's largest auto show quickly approaches, exhibitors and sponsors are lining up and ready to engage the masses," said Chicago Auto Show Chairman John Hennessy. "According to Foresight Research, 65 percent of people who visit the Chicago Auto Show are there to shop – a statistic that applies to all exhibitors, even sponsors."
With its new premier partner status, Cars.com will enjoy category exclusivity and power the show's new BUZZHUB, a space designed for social media engagement featuring a 21-ft. wall broadcasting real-time trending feeds, giant #CAS18 block letters for pose-worthy moments, enlarged Instagram frame and charging stations to refuel attendees' smartphones. The new #CAS18 BUZZHUB is also home to live radio broadcasts and Best of Show voting kiosks.
State Farm returns as a premier partner and will offer attendees an interactive State Farm Garage exhibit. This year's space features an all-new Auto Love Wall where attendees can share their fondest car memories, an engraving station where participants walk away with a personalized keychain and a photo mosaic interactive where attendees take a car photo and add it to a larger visual display – eventually creating a magnificent auto memory mosaic. State Farm representatives will also field thousands of questions and assist attendees at its Here to Help Center in the Grand Concourse throughout the run of the show.
As a new premier partner for 2018, Wintrust becomes the presenting sponsor of the Super Car Gallery and is the source for discounted tickets for opening weekend and weekday admissions. Visit any of the bank's 150 community locations and pick up a voucher to save $3 off general admission for opening weekend or $6 off any weekday. Wintrust also returns as a corporate supporter of First Look for Charity, the Chicago Auto Show' black-tie gala fundraiser, as the company is committed to going above and beyond banking solutions to support Chicagoland communities.
"As a company built for this area, Wintrust is committed to supporting iconic Chicago events and organizations that make this area so unique," said Wintrust President & CEO Ed Wehmer. "The Chicago Auto Show definitely fits into that category. We are proud to be the Chicago Auto Show's Premier Bank Sponsor and align ourselves with such an exciting, innovative event."
The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) returns to the Chicago Auto Show for the second year in a row with an even larger presence during the show's Media Preview. SMDI will again be the presenting sponsor of the Concept & Technology Garage with a tailgating-themed activation, light snacks and beverages. Added this year, SMDI will also be the exclusive corporate partner of the Midwest Automotive Media Association opening breakfast and a sponsor of the What Drives Her industry luncheon, which includes SMDI Vice President Jody Hall as a panelist.
Official sponsors XFINITY and the Chicago Tribune will also return to provide unique opportunities. Show attendees who visit the XFINITY Lounge at the show will receive a hands-on X1 Experience. Additionally, fans can take part in the #XFINITYFast social media challenge for the chance to win prizes. The Chicago Tribune will again host Women's Day at the Chicago Auto Show on Tuesday, Feb. 13, when women are admitted at a discounted price and special activities geared towards women will be available.
For more details on the 2018 Chicago Auto Show and a full lineup of events, please visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.
About the Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America, spanning more than one million square feet of production, concept and exotic vehicle exhibit space. In addition to hosting multiple world and North American vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity raises more than $2.5 million annually for 18 vital Chicago organizations in a single night. The 2018 public show is Feb. 10-19. For more information, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com or www.Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.
The 2018 Chicago Auto Show is officially sanctioned by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers. Founded in Paris in 1919, it is known as the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs.
About the Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is one of the nation's largest metropolitan dealer organizations. It is comprised of more than 420 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group's dealer members employ about 20,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world-famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information please visit www.CATA.info.
SOURCE Chicago Auto Show