The year-plus disruption to most aspects of life caused by Covid-19 affected auto shows around the world. The Chicago Auto Show wrapped its 2020 edition mere weeks before public gatherings grounded to a halt, and continued restrictions forced this year’s February show to pause. 

It was down but not out.

 

The Chicago Auto Show will be one of the first events to return to McCormick Place when it hosts an abbreviated five-day exposition July 15-19. Attendance will be limited during the time slots consumers must choose from when purchasing their tickets, and sizable outdoor ride-and-drives will help alleviate the indoor crowd size.

"Finally, the return of our beloved Chicago Auto Show," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said May 4 during the reopening announcement, adding that the return of events at McCormick Place is a "critical step toward our state’s overall economic recovery."

The show will move to the convention center’s West building with 470,000 square feet of indoor space and 100,000 square feet of outdoor space along Indiana Avenue, where test drives will be conducted. There also are plans for a street festival that will feature cars, food and entertainment.

Admission is $13 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and children through age 12. Members of the CATA can buy $6 vouchers  for customers which, when redeemed, will admit the users free.

Face masks will be required at all times. There will be contactless delivery for tickets. Temperatures will be scanned and a medical questionnaire must be filled out before entering. A vaccine will not be required.

The show will be smaller, limited to 10,000 people at a time, and shorter, but it is on nonetheless.

The Chicago Auto Show will be McCormick Place’s first convention since the beginning of the pandemic more than a year ago. McCormick Place was temporarily turned into an alternative care facility in case hospitals became overwhelmed.

"We’ve been working with McCormick Place officials for months on an opening plan, and very early on they saw that our show may provide a pathway to reopening the facility," said Chicago Auto Show General Manager Dave Sloan. "We stand committed to providing a safe environment for all involved and will carefully adhere to the health and safety protocols and guidelines set forth by city and state officials. 

"McCormick Place is an important economic engine for our city and state, and we take very seriously the responsibility that comes with helping to get it running again.

"While we believe February is the right time for the Chicago Auto Show to have its biggest impact on the industry and the area economy, we’re thrilled to be able to experiment with the July dates. The timing has allowed us to get creative and try new things and the automakers have really embraced it."