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SAN FRANCISCO AUTO SHOW TO PROVIDE BAY AREA RESIDENTS FIRST LOOK AT NEW AND IMPROVED MOSCONE CENTER

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – November 7, 2017 — Moscone Convention Center has risen to new heights this year.

The expanded South Hall, now 108 feet tall and 255 feet long, was officially opened when Mayor Ed Lee, Supervisor Jane Kim and Board of Supervisors President London Breed cut the ribbon on Sept. 11, 2017, but the first opportunity for the general public to get inside the addition is the San Francisco International Auto Show, which opens Nov. 18.

“The San Francisco Auto Show will be the first opportunity to take a peek inside the expanding Moscone Center,” said Joe D’Alessandro, president and chief executive officer of San Francisco Travel. “Although the entire building won’t open until January of 2019, this year’s auto show will give the public the chance to see what the beautiful new building will look like.”

The partnerships with the city and convention center began with the 1982 auto show, which introduced the general public to the new South Hall and was cemented when the public was introduced to the North Hall at the 1992 show.

“The auto show is the only event at Moscone Center that invites the entire Bay Area to enjoy the complex,” said Building Manager Bob Sauter. “And it is a great show.”

More than 200,000 square feet have been added to the South Hall with the completion of Phase Two of the expansion project.

Access between the North and South Halls are underground. The North Hall is the only entrance to the auto show.

Test Drives, one of the most popular features of the auto show, will be located on Howard St., at the front of both halls.

Major manufacturers 2018 models will be displayed in the South Hall, sharing space with classic cars from the San Francisco Academy of Arts University collection and an exhibit by Pacific Gas and Electric. Ferrari and Aston Martin clubs will also be located in the South Hall.

The North Hall will feature manufacturer displays as well as exhibits by: the San Francisco Chronicle and Golden1 Credit Union.
A new entrance to the Esplanade Ballroom above and behind the South Hall is part of the recently competed expansion.

Modified vehicles have been exhibited in the San Francisco Auto Salon located in the Esplanade Ballroom, under the guidance of John Liwanag, since the exhibit outgrew the After-Market Alley.

“Our plan was to give a younger demographic something special they would relate to, different from the manufacturers’ production vehicles or the Academy of Art exhibit of beautiful classic cars,” said Scott Diamond, assistant show manager.

The center was named for late Mayor George Moscone, who successfully shepherded the project through a successful vote of the people. The center is owned by the City and County of San Francisco—the taxpayers.

From its modest beginning, the center has stood the test of time, with still more to come. The final phase of construction is expected to be finished in December 2018.

“We have held our show at the Moscone Center since it was just a hole in the ground,” said Kevin Diamond, auto show director. “It just gets better and better.”

The San Francisco Chronicle 60th Annual International Auto Show opens Saturday, Nov. 18 and runs through the Thanksgiving weekend concluding on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017 at Moscone Convention Center.
The show is presented by Golden1 Credit Union and supported by the California New Car Dealers Association. It will feature the 2018 model cars, trucks, SUV’s and crossover vehicles representing the work of 37 global manufacturers. The San Francisco Auto Show is the Bay Area’s largest and most prestigious auto exposition and is the only auto show held regionally that lures the dazzling high-tech manufacturer displays.

A HISTORY OF THE SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

In 1958, unable to participate in the local domestic auto show, forward-thinking Bay Area import auto dealers decided to create their own exposition. Given the novelty and interest at the time in foreign made cars, the auto dealers’ idea proved to be a good one. For nearly two decades the Import Car Show, the precursor to what is now the International Auto Show, flourished and expanded at Brooks Hall and the Civic Center.

The globalization of the auto industry in the ‘60’s and 70’s marked a new era of automotive production and demand. Therefore, the Import Car Show broadened its scope to include the products of both the domestic and international manufacturers and was renamed the International Auto Show. In 1982, the show moved into its new home at the Moscone Convention Center in downtown San Francisco.

From the onset, the show was a tremendous success and recognized by the auto manufacturers as an integral component to selling their vehicles. Display space was in high demand and that demand required the auto show to expand its footprint.

Fortunately, in 1992, another hall was added to the Moscone Center expanding it to a total of 1.2 million square feet. The additional space allowed exhibitors to construct more elaborate displays to showcase their vehicles and provided spectators a more spacious and inviting environment in which to view them. It also allowed the San Francisco International Auto Show to grow into what it has become today–the premier auto show in northern California and the only one held regionally that lures the dazzling, high-tech displays from the world’s major manufacturers. It is the second largest auto show in the western United States and the number one exhibition of any kind in northern California.

Now celebrating its 60th year, the International Auto Show, continues to grow. This year’s show, set for November 18-26, will fill the newly remodeled Moscone Center with exhibits in the north and south halls, the new south hall expansion, the Esplanade Ballroom plus the north and south lobby and driveway areas.

The latest in automotive innovation representing the work of the world’s major manufacturers will be on display at the show including the 2018 model vehicles, new introductions, the largest selection of electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles plus the newest driver assist and connectivity technology.

In addition, there will be exotic sports cars, manufacturer Test Drives and special exhibits including an electric vehicle infrastructure display from PG&E, the Academy of Art University Classic Car Collection, and the San Francisco Auto Salon with modified and trend setting cars. The Show will also include exhibits from the Aston Martin and Ferrari Clubs of America and an auto accessory booth area.

The San Francisco Chronicle 60th Annual International Auto Show, presented by Golden 1 Credit Union and supported by the California New Car Dealers Association, promises to be the most spectacular event to date.

SAN FRANCISCO AUTO SHOW ANNOUNCES 2017 DATES FOR 60TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION AT MOSCONE CENTER

SHOW WIL RUN NOVEMBER 18TH- NOVEMBER 26TH INCLUDING THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – March 16, 2017 — Over the past 59 years the San Francisco International Auto Show, has grown to become the premier, largest and most spectacular auto exposition in northern California.

Known as the hub of technology and innovation, The San Francisco International Auto Show will welcome global manufacturers back to the Moscone Center Saturday, November 18^th and continue its nine-day run through Thanksgiving weekend, ending on Sunday, November 26^th, 2017.

The San Francisco International Auto Show will also celebrate its 60^th Anniversary and will honor its heritage with specialty displays, a VIP Gala and visits from local dignitaries, key automotive executives and prominent automotive journalists.

Supported by the California New Car Dealers Association, The San Francisco International Auto Show is the only auto show held regionally that lures the dazzling high-tech manufacturer displays. It will offer Bay Area auto buyers and enthusiasts their first opportunity to see the new 2018 model vehicles all in one place. The Auto Show will fill the 1.2 million sq. ft. Moscone Convention Center making it the largest exhibition of any kind in the greater Bay Area and the second largest auto show in the western United States.

CONTACTS:

KEVIN DIAMOND
OFFICE: 415-331-4406
[email protected]

AMY FOLEY
MOBILE: 619-886-4969
[email protected]

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