Jason Heard promised big things when he took over the reins of the Vancouver International Auto Show last summer, and the rookie show executive director delivered. Big time.
The final attendance number for the six-day event is 98,694, representing a 17 per cent increase from the 2014 show and the largest attendance increase in the country of the 2014-15 auto show season.
“The changes we implemented for this year’s auto show worked extremely well in engaging the public and increasing attendance,” said Heard. “By expanding the show we were able to add a significant amount of features to the event, all of which appealed to British Columbians’ love of the automobile.”
That expansion saw a 25 per cent increase in show floor space, primarily on the main floor of the Vancouver Convention Centre West, making the auto show the first consumer show ever to use both the ballrooms and all exhibit halls.
Heard said plans are in the works to include even more display space in coming years, a move that would incorporate the original convention centre.
This year’s show, which wrapped up on Sunday, featured more than 440 vehicles from 40 national and international brands.
“Although this was the 95th anniversary year of the Vancouver International Auto Show, this year really signified the start of an entirely new era of the show in British Columbia,” said Blair Qualey, president and CEO of show host, the New Car Dealers Association of BC. “The 70,000-square-foot addition allowed the show to showcase an impressive display of supercars, luxury automobiles, 30-plus regional debuts and five concept cars from global manufacturers.”
Heard said planning is already underway for the 2016 Vancouver International Auto Show, which will return to the Convention Centre March 23-28 next year.
