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Chicago Auto Show on Record Pace Again

15 February 1998

Chicago Auto Show on Record Pace Again

    CHICAGO, Feb. 15 -- Over 170 thousand car lovers found their
way to the 90th Chicago Auto Show Saturday, February 14, continuing to outpace
last year's record attendance.  The nine-day run ends tonight and needs only
111,572 to surpass the record set last February.  Over the past four years,
the show has averaged over 139 thousand on closing Sundays.
    "We've been blessed with absolutely great weather this year," said Ray
Scarpelli, auto show chairman.  "It might be the first show I can remember
that didn't have a single snowflake fall during its run."
    "Assuming Chicagoans don't wind up at the beach on Sunday, they'll come to
McCormick Place for their last chance this year to see this spectacular show,"
said show general manager Jerry Cizek.  "We're always cautiously optimistic
about numbers, but I think we're on track for another great year."
    Show officials advise Sunday patrons to utilize the Grant Park and Monroe
Street underground parking lots to avoid congestion around McCormick Place.
Shuttles which come directly to the door will operate on a continuing basis
throughout the day.

SOURCE  Chicago Automobile Trade Association