Multimedia News Release - 2006 North American International Auto Show Preparations Escalate

Multimedia News Release - 2006 North American International Auto Show Preparations Escalate

NBC Sports to Feature 2-Hour Special & NAIAS Adds New EyesOn Design Awards; WDIV Local 4 & MSN Autos Return As Media Partners

DETROIT, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- In just over 60 days, the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), one of the world's most influential automotive events, will open its doors on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 at Cobo Center. The NAIAS promises to feature world-class vehicle unveilings, unprecedented media coverage, a new automotive design event titled, EyesOn Design awards, plus one-of-a-kind exhibits from the industry's top auto manufacturers.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051006/DETH015LOGO )

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"The NAIAS is a celebration guaranteed to drive the senses wild with automotive products, design and technology unrivaled in the industry," said Richard Genthe, NAIAS 2006 Senior Co-Chairman. "Key partnerships are the backbone of this show and we are delighted to once again work with NBC Sports for a two-hour national broadcast on the show's final public day on Jan. 22. In addition, we're pleased to welcome back WDIV-TV Local 4 as our broadcast partner as well as MSN Autos, our internet partner, for further collaboration in bringing our show to the world."

NAIAS 2005 featured more than 60 vehicle unveilings as well as nearly 7,000 journalists from 43 countries, including more than 200 television stations. Overall, more than 800,000 people attended the show during Public Days and the NAIAS 2005 added more than $580 million to Southeast Michigan's economy, $100 million of which went directly to the City of Detroit.

"The NAIAS was a great success for NBC Sports last year in our inaugural broadcast of the event," said Jon Miller, Senior Vice President of sports programming of NBC Sports. "We're delighted to partner with them once again and we fully expect it to be an even greater success for us, and for the NAIAS."

"The NAIAS has enjoyed extraordinary success in its 17 years as an international event," said Bob Thibodeau Jr., Co-Chairman for NAIAS 2006. "Outside of the industry news and unique trends that are made public at the show, the wildly successful Charity Preview gala, the region's most- anticipated fundraiser, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and will once again raise $7 million for Detroit's children's charities."

The NAIAS encourages the public to call 888-838-7500 to inquire about the availability of tickets for purchase for the 2006 Charity Preview black-tie event scheduled on Fri., Jan. 13, 2006.

In addition, the NAIAS will feature a new addition to its already powerful list of Press Days' design initiatives. The EyesOn Design awards at NAIAS will be held at Cobo Center on Tues., Jan. 10 and will be presented by the internationally recognized Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology (DIO) and headed up by design legend Tom Gale.

Top designers from around the world will comprise the jury, including representatives from the automakers, independent and academic design communities. Willie G. Davidson (Harley Davidson); Giorgetto Giugiaro (ItalDesign); and Michael Graves (Michael Graves & Associates, a renowned architectural and interior design firm) will serve as presiding judges.

"The NAIAS is the premier North American auto show with an unmatched design focus. The new EyesOn Design awards at NAIAS complement the longstanding AutoWeek Design Forum and Michelin Challenge Design," said Carl Galeana, President of the DADA.

For additional information about the EyesOn Design awards at NAIAS, contact the DIO at 313-824-4710.

"WDIV-TV Local 4 is proud to bring extensive and exciting coverage of the NAIAS to metro Detroit," said Steve Wasserman, Vice President and General Manager of WDIV-TV. "The on-air presence of this prestigious automotive event will be prominent from morning to late at night as Local 4 plans to bring nine auto show specials to our viewers with over 15 hours of programming. And as the show gets closer, coverage will continue with primetime specials, exclusive news coverage as well as special editions of "Flashpoint" and "Auto Insight" reports. Plus, Local 4 will showcase an exclusive two-hour live coverage of the Charity Preview on Jan. 13.

"For the last 9 years, MSN has had the opportunity to sponsor the NAIAS, and we continue to be amazed at the level of detail this show provides," said Scott Ehlers, senior business development manager of MSN Autos. "Our relationship with the NAIAS team allows us to deliver up-to-the-minute coverage and information on the latest car models to MSN Autos car enthusiasts."

Media credentialing for the NAIAS 2006 has begun. Media who have previously attended the show will receive a media-credential package in the mail. Those who have not attended the show can visit http://www.naias.com/drive2006/naiasVideo.htm to see, hear sights and sounds from last year's show and to download a media-credential application from the NAIAS Web site.

John Bailey & Associates, Inc. (JB&A) Public Relations, headquartered in Troy, Mich., and NAIAS agency-of-record, will provide public relations and media relations support to local, national and international media covering the NAIAS. Contact JB&A by calling 248-362-4200. All general media inquiries can be directed to naias-media@baileypr.com.

The new NAIAS 06 Travel Headquarters group will administer travel arrangements for NAIAS 2006. Due to the high demand for hotel rooms during the NAIAS, reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Also note, request forms are required to place a reservation. Visitors seeking hotel reservations can visit http://www.naias.com/hotel/ for more information.

NAIAS 2006 Official Dates

Press Preview Days will be held Sunday, Jan. 8, through Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006. Industry Preview Days will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 11 and Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. The Charity Preview will be held Friday evening, Jan. 13, 2006. Public Days are Saturday, Jan. 14, through Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006.

The North American International Auto Show
Rod Alberts - Executive Director

Entering its 18th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS is 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. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at http://www.naias.com/ . Don't Miss It for the World!

Related Links
http://www.naias.com/http://www.naias.com/drive2006/naiasVideo.htm

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051006/DETH015LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comVideo: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/naias/22963
Source: North American International Auto Show

CONTACT: Elizabeth Weigandt of John Bailey & Associates,
+1-248-362-4200, ext. 244, Cell: +1-248-320-8113, Email:
eweigandt@baileypr.com , for North American International Auto Show

Web site: http://www.naias.com/

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