Auto Show Sets Final Weekend Attendance Mark
18 October 1999
Auto Show Sets Final Weekend Attendance Mark
MIAMI, Oct. 18 - In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, the
South Florida International Auto Show set a closing weekend attendance mark
with 194,437 people visiting the show on Saturday, October 16 and Sunday,
October 17.
The show ended its annual 10-day run at the Miami Beach Convention Center
with a total attendance of 582,463, despite being forced to close on Friday
due to Hurricane Irene.
"Our strong numbers are a testament to the perseverance of South
Floridians," said Richard Baker, show manager. "People came to our show in
record numbers the last weekend after dealing with their own personal
struggles brought on by Hurricane Irene. So many people were without power
and had to contend with flood waters."
The South Florida International Auto Show kicked off the national
automotive exhibition season, and is considered among the nation's top auto
shows. Highlights from this year's show included the launch of the Toyota MR2
Spyder roadster and the first showing of the BMW X-5 Sports Activity Vehicle.
Auto fans who surf the Internet experienced a first this year -- live
streaming video coverage of the show on The Auto Channel's interactive web
site, http://www.theautochannel.com . The channel used the occasion to announce this
year's winners of its Golden Tachometer Awards.
"We would like to thank the people of South Florida for visiting the auto
show during the storm," said Cliff Ray, show coordinator.
The South Florida International Auto Show is sponsored by the South
Florida Auto-Truck Dealers Association, which comprises more than 220 dealers
in Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties.
The association also manages the Fort Lauderdale International Auto Show,
which is scheduled for March 8-12, 2000 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward
County Convention Center. The 30th annual South Florida International Auto
Show is scheduled for October 6-15, 2000. For additional information, call
305-947-5950.