COLUMBUS, Ohio--March 13, 2013: Huntington Bank has announced that it is the presenting sponsor of the 2013 Columbus International Auto Show being held Thursday, March 14, through Sunday, March 17, 2013 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
“Huntington is excited to be the presenting sponsor of this anticipated annual event, and we are pleased to support our automobile dealers in Ohio.”
"This year's show will have many of the newest makes and models, with the latest automotive technology available, all showcased under one roof at the Convention Center," said Rich Porrello, director of Huntington Automobile Finance. "Huntington is excited to be the presenting sponsor of this anticipated annual event, and we are pleased to support our automobile dealers in Ohio."
Recently, Huntington Bank conducted a survey of its consumers in its Midwest markets that found one in five consumers plan to buy or lease a vehicle in 2013. Consumers are planning these purchases as a result of cautious optimism about the U.S. economy this year. The convergence of pent-up demand, improved credit scores, greater access to credit, aging vehicles, low interest rates, and high trade-in values has all created a perfect storm of buying for the automobile consumer in 2013, according to Porrello.
The Columbus Auto Show will also host a charity gala, "The Cars are the Stars", which will be held Friday, March 15, from 7pm -11pm at the Convention Center and will feature the Mojo Flo band. Tickets are $250, with the net proceeds benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, A Kid Again and the Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio.
The show will feature thirty-seven car manufacturers with hundreds of foreign and domestic vehicles on display. In addition, there will be exhibits, family entertainment, a Nissan Ride & Drive, a RAM Off-Road experience, Columbus Zoo animals, an interactive on-site scavenger hunt, and face painting for the kids. In addition, there will be a Dialed Action Sports Team BMX Show featuring extreme skateboarding, rollerblading, and BMX biking. Attendees will have the chance to enter a drawing to win a 47" LG TV or a 2013 Honda Accord LX, sponsored by the Columbus Automobile Dealers Association. Tickets are $8. Children 12 and under are free, when accompanied by an adult.