2007 Pittsburgh International Auto Show Rescheduled to Take Place in April at David L. Lawrence Convention Center

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 8, 2007 -- The Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association today announced April 26-30, 2007 as new dates for the recently cancelled 2007 Pittsburgh International Auto Show. Show organizers are committed to make these new dates work but the final approval still rests on the shoulders of the officials at the Sports & Exhibition Authority, the agency that owns the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Building officials need to finish the current inspections and re-open the building to the public after the accident that took place earlier in the week.

"After several discussions with the Sports & Exhibition Authority, we have decided to commit to making these new dates happen so we can bring the auto show to the people of Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas," said Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association Executive Vice President/CEO Denise Brennan. "There are thousands of components that need to be put in place to make this happen and we are going to have to move fast. But I want to make it perfectly clear that safety is still our top priority, and the final decision to allow the show to happen remains with the building officials."

The cancellation of the original February show dates were caused by an incident that took place last Monday, February 5. At that time, a 20' x 60' section of concrete floor from the second floor loading dock of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center fell onto the street below. The incident happened while the Pittsburgh International Auto Show was moving in and the Pittsburgh Boat Show was moving out. There were no injuries and the building moved forward with extensive investigations in an effort to deem the building safe for occupancy; but were unable to provide access to the building in a timely factor for organizers to move in the show.

The Pittsburgh International Auto Show is presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association (GPADA). The GPADA is a metro dealer association representing more than 300 franchised automobile dealers and related industries throughout Western Pennsylvania. GPADA, founded in 1924 as a non-profit organization, encourages and promotes trade and commerce by providing various services and educational and training programs. For more information please visit www.pittautoshow.com.