Detroit auto show

RegWaters · Jan 14, 2001

Anybody from the Detroit area ? I'm flying up tomorrow from SC to work the Michelin booth at the NAIAS ( North American International Auto Show ) drop by and say hi. I'll be working Tues - Thurs. I'll only be on 6 hrs a day so if you got any snow plowing to do put me in the seat !!!!!!!! Don't get to do much snow playing , err , work down here . Need to develope my technique.

Von · Jan 14, 2001

Just saw on the news that there was a riot at the car show this evening. Two big fights and maybe gun shots fired. All this at a car show, I thought this type of activity was reserved for rap concerts.

Von

RegWaters · Jan 15, 2001

Hmmm,
Guess I'll have to pack my .357 . Could be tricky getting it on the plane. But, seriously this is one of my major concerns. I know Detroit has a rep. for being a tough city. I thought I would be safe I'm 3 blocks from COBO Center. Figured I'd go straight there and back, hide in my room and not venture out into the Big City.

Thomas · Jan 15, 2001

Reg,
By the looks of winter snowfall this year,thats the area to get some seat time for sure.
Hope you bring a heavy shirt or two. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird · Jan 15, 2001

I've wondered how much Detroit has changed. It's been quite a few years since I spent a week at the Renaissance Center. The hotel staff warned us to not open our door for anyone not wearing one of their uniforms, not to go outside the building without a security officer, etc. Of course, we did; went out to eat one night and got a cab driver that was drunk out of his mind; high speed ride, missed turns, made a U-turn right in the middle of the street in traffic. Quite an experience./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bird

RobS · Jan 15, 2001

Ahh Detroit... love it or hate it. I lived there for four years and still visit frequently with work. Mostly the 'burbs though. Did the auto show last year and really enjoyed it. They're trying to make it the premier auto show in the US with more new model introductions and concepts than elsewhere.

Don't be afraid to visit Detroit, just keep your head about you when you do. In spite of the rough nature of the city there are a lot of neat things to do. I particularly like the Henry Ford museum and Greenfield Village.

Rob

bpence · Jan 15, 2001

Welcome to the Motor City. I think you'll find Detroit an OK place to be for a few days. It's really not all that different than any other large city in the U.S. We're going to the Auto Show this afternoon...I work for one of the Big 3, so have to see what the competition is showing, and I happen to just plain like cars & trucks a lot.

I've worked at the National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) convention several times and these shows aren't as glamorous when you have to work there. 8-10 hours a day standing on cement floors, but there's always lots of great scenery.

While you're in Detroit, try some of the night life in Greek Town...flaming cheese is a must. It's just a couple of blocks off Jefferson and an easy walk if you're staying downtown at one of the big hotels. Like any other big city, stay on the main streets and you'll be fine and really enjoy. Only flurries predicted for the next few days, so we probably won't be able to teach you how to plow snow, but then again you never know. As we say in Michigan "if you don't like the weather, just wait a couple of hours".

Enjoy the Auto Show.

Bob Pence

RegWaters · Jan 20, 2001

Thanks for the replies,
Just got back and had a great time. Hit the Henry Ford Museum and saw a 1907 Fordson 1st Ford tractor built. Also went to Greektown ate at Fishbone's, Peagesus, and the Parthenon. No problems downtown, stayed at the Best Western 3 blocks from COBO and rode the people mover everwhere else. Lots of new cars. seems the latest in trucks are 4 door crew cabs with a "mid gate" . It opens the back cargo area into the crew compartment for fold down seat extended storage.