DETROIT, Jan. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — The heart of the Motor City and the soul of Motown took center stage tonight as nearly $5.1M was raised for children’s charities at the 2018 North American International Auto Show’s (NAIAS) Charity Preview at Cobo Center. In all, over 13,000 people attended the black-tie gala, recognized as the largest annual single-night fundraiser in the world.
Ribbon Cutting at the 2018 North American Charity Preview.
(Pictured L to R) – 2018 NAIAS Chairman, Ryan LaFontaine, Charity Preview Child Ambassador, 2018 NAIAS Vice Chairman Bill Golling.
Sponsored by Axalta Coating Systems for the third consecutive year, Charity Preview has raised nearly $118M for southeastern Michigan children’s charities since the Detroit Auto Dealers Association established the gala 42 years ago.
“Earlier in the week, we saw a powerful lineup of products and leaders come together to advance our industry’s mobility-focused future,” said 2018 NAIAS Chairman Ryan LaFontaine. “Tonight, we see that same industry and our entire Motor City rally around the most vulnerable within our community.”
The event directly benefits a wide range of children’s charities, helping to fund services for children of all ages from birth to 18. Beneficiaries of NAIAS Charity Preview include:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan
- Boys Hope Girls Hope Detroit
- Children’s Center
- The Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation
- Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund
- Detroit PAL
- Judson Center
- March of Dimes Metro Detroit
The iconic group, The Four Tops, will help celebrate the night of kids, cars and Motown with a special performance on Cobo’s Atrium stage at 9 p.m. The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) presented a $75,000 gift to the Motown Museum during The Four Tops’ performance.
Charity Preview builds on Preview Week’s momentum of global vehicle and technology reveals and industry-shaping announcements. With an expanded AutoMobili-D showcase, featuring 240 brands with 57 startups, the exposition is a full overview of the automotive ecosystem under one roof. AutoMobili-D remains open at NAIAS for the first weekend of the Public Show for the Future Automotive Career Exposition, which starts tomorrow Jan. 20 at 9 a.m. and continues through Sunday, Jan. 28.
Ticket prices and general show information, including transportation and parking can be found at naias.com.
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About the North American International Auto Show
Now in its 30th year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, technologies, people and ideas that matter most – up close and in one place. Administered by executive director Rod Alberts, the NAIAS is one of the largest media events in North America, and the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. For more information, visit naias.com.
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2018 NAIAS Dates:
The Gallery – Saturday, January 13, 2018
AutoMobili-D – Sunday-Sunday, January 14-21, 2018
Press Preview – Sunday-Tuesday, January 14-16, 2018
Industry Preview – Wednesday-Thursday, January 17-18, 2018
Charity Preview – Friday, January 19, 2018
Public Show – Saturday-Sunday, January 20-28, 2018
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SOURCE North American International Auto Show
