Did you know…
- There were over 125 exhibitors at the Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS)?
- More than 1,000 vehicles were showcased at the CIAS?
- Estimated value of exhibits, not including cars: $60 million
- The cars on display were estimated to be worth $30 million?
- It takes nearly 100 trailers to transport the display vehicles?
- About 200 tractor-trailers of display materials are unloaded into the show?
- Over the course of the 10-day event over 300,000 visitors attended the show?
- The CIAS is a family event?
In my previous post, I wrote about how ‘BIG’ the CIAS was for both Ford of Canada and for JGK Integrated Solutions. Now, I would like to tell you a little more about Canada’s largest consumer show but before I do so, I’d like to give you one more fact about the CIAS. Did you know that…half a million square feet were utilized to accommodate all of the displays? The sheer magnitude of this show is quite impressive—the two exhibition halls and connecting floors of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
I’d also like to take the opportunity to dispel any misconception that the auto show is an adult only event and is only for looking at vehicles. The show is actually both family friendly and interactive. The Ford of Canada exhibit specifically incorporated activities for kids to enjoy. JGK designed an enclosed F-150 Power Wheels track display and exhibit; where future Ford drivers could take pint-sized F-150’s for a spin. I’ve uploaded some pictures so you can appreciate just how closely these Fisher Price Power Wheels trucks resemble the real vehicle. As well as, you can see what the exhibit looked like—amongst all the rocks and greenery, the kids (and their parents) would have felt like they were out for a drive in the country.
We also designed an exhibit and display which I found particularly interesting; it featured the wearable tech suits that are manufactured by Ford. The technology is really quite neat. The ‘Empathy Belly Suit,’ for example, is designed and weighted so the person who is wearing it feels what it’s like to be pregnant. There’s also an ‘Age Suit,’ that simulates neck stiffness, joint pain and back problems and goggles that mimic different visual impairments, such as colour distortion and glaucoma. When testing vehicles the engineers put the suits on and it gives them an idea of the challenges a pregnant driver, or the elderly, would face when they’re behind the wheel—they can then design features to accommodate these challenges. I’ve included a picture so you can see these suits for yourself.
My team provided the staffing personnel for both of these exhibits and we got quite a kick watching the kids ride around the Power Wheels track and the empathy belly and age suits, certainly elicited some interesting dialogue from spectators.
There’s so much more to the CIAS; I haven’t even scratched the surface but did you know…the CIAS will be back again in 2016? So, if you didn’t get the chance to attend this year, there’s always next year. And you can be certain there will be lot’s to do and lot’s to see, for attendees both young and old. I will add, for those in the event industry, it’s a great stop if you want to check out the latest trends in technology and innovation in action.
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