Cobo schedule is packed post auto show

Feb 12, 2013

DETROIT February 12, 2013 -- Thom Connors, SMG regional vice president and general manager of Cobo Center announced today that major events in Cobo Center continue to draw business to downtown Detroit after NAIAS. Several first year shows, along with several of Cobo’s annual shows, fill the calendar, including the 55th Annual Detroit Boat Show.

“The boats began moving in almost as quickly as the autos moved out of Cobo,” said Connors. “And for the first time this year, the new Motor City Golf & Travel Show will run concurrently with the Detroit Boat Show, filling the exhibit halls and giving visitors a variety of choice.”

The first Motor City Golf & Travel Show offers attendees great deals on golf equipment and innovative items not traditionally found in pro golf shops. Travel destination and golf resorts have exhibits, and courses in golf from PGA and LPGA staff of the Fox Hills Golf Academy will be available. An appearance from Detroit Mayor Dave Bing kicks off the show on Friday, the 15th from 12 – 2 PM.

The 55th Annual Detroit Boat Show, held each year in Cobo Center, runs over 9 days. “We are very excited about the upcoming Detroit Boat Show as it is back to two halls at Cobo Center and is bringing in more boats and more fun for our attendees,” said Nicki Polan, executive director of the Michigan Boating Industries Association.

Add to that, Detroit Red Wings home games in the Joe Louis Arena on February 15 and 23, and you get a wide array of things to do in Cobo Center. “Red Wings fans can come to the games early and enjoy these events, shop in the Detroit Shoppe on the Cobo concourse and watch the Sweet Dreams perform free of charge,” said Connors, “and only pay one parking fee. This weekend, it’s the best entertainment deal in town.”

The first weekend in March brings the Detroit Kennel Club Dog Show, held annually in Cobo Center. The dog show utilizes 623,000 square feet of exhibit space in Cobo Center, and is one of five juried dog shows annually in the USA.

Directly after that, the 61st annual Meguiar’s Autorama, Detroit’s premier custom car show, begins moving in and runs March 8-10. According to Peter A. Toundas, president of Championship Auto Shows, "This year's Autorama promises to be a wonderful showing of the best Detroit has to offer with our celebration of 50 years of the Ridler Award. The Ridler Award is considered to be the top honor in our industry. Let's not forget our Batmobiles and stout celebrity package to boot!"

The second annual Detroit Bike City Expo and Swap Meet on March 16 is already making itself a staple public show with only one year under its belt. It has doubled in size, with more exhibits and sponsors, a social media lounge and the MGM Grand as its official hotel.

“We are happy to see this comeback, for Cobo Center and Detroit. And we look forward to much more this spring,” said Connors.


About Cobo Center: With 723,000 square feet of exhibit space, Cobo Center boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and is the 19th largest convention center in the country. Visit online at www.cobocenter.com

About SMG: Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities and convention, congress and exhibition centers. Visit www.smgworld.com for more information.

About the DRCFA: On 9/15/09, operational control of Cobo Center transferred to the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, under a collaborative agreement by the Michigan State Legislature, the City of Detroit, and Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Each of these entities has an appointed member on the DRCFA Board. Larry Alexander is Chairman the Board as the member appointed by the Governor of the State of Michigan. For more information visit: http://www.drcfa.org/