Skip to content

'Drive The Future' at the Georgian College Auto Show

Largest outdoor, student-run auto show in Canada
GeorgianCollege_AutoShow
Students from the Automotive Business School of Canada are excited to show off all the manufacturer vehicles at the 2018 Georgian College Auto Show. Supplied photo

NEWS RELEASE
GEORGIAN COLLEGE
*************************
The 33rd annual Georgian College Auto Show returns under the theme of “Drive The Future” at the Barrie Campus June 1 to 3.

It’s the largest outdoor, student-run auto show in Canada. The event is organized and staffed by students in the Automotive Business School of Canada (ABSC).

The five student directors are thrilled by the amount of enthusiasm demonstrated by both students and manufacturers. Tyler Celli, the 2018 Student Director of Marketing and Media Relations, said expectations are high for this year’s show.

“This year we are welcoming over 20 manufacturer brands to the show,” he said. “Last year, the team did an excellent job bringing life to a new idea of innovation. This year we want customers to experience manufacturers’ newest innovations, as well as interact with the future leaders of the automotive industry, our students.”

The 2017 show attracted just over 10,000 visitors from across Ontario. ABSC students carry out all show tasks, including marketing, sponsorship, recruitment and training, event logistics and community events.

This year’s team is bringing back several popular attractions, such as the Electric Vehicle Driving Experience, a variety of food truck vendors and the ever-popular Pfaff Autocross Track.

An expanded KidZone features new activities on Saturday and Sunday, including Smart Adventures Yamaha mini bikes for children aged 6 to 12, a fun inflatable activity, face painting and temporary tattoos for the younger ones in attendance. The Red Barn Event Centre will be onsite with their canine performance team hosting shows at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on both days. All proceeds from the Pfaff Autocross Track and the Yamaha mini bikes will benefit Youth Haven – a Barrie charity that helps local youth in need.

Another returning attraction is the annual live auction on Saturday, June 2 at 1 p.m. Proceeds from the auction support scholarships for ABSC students.

The team is introducing a new Preview Day on Friday, June 1. All the manufacturer tents will be open to anyone keen on getting a jump on the weekend crowds to see the new vehicles. On this day, there will be a limited number of other activities taking place, so visitors are encouraged to “pay what you can” for entry, with all proceeds going to benefit awards and scholarships at the college.

“Speaking on behalf of the other student directors, we are extremely grateful for the work that everyone has put into the show,” said Celli. “Students, faculty, our advisory committee, sponsors and the vehicle manufacturers are the ones who make it all happen, and we cannot thank them enough for their ongoing contributions to the event.”

The show runs Friday, June 1 from noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily admission is $7 for adults. Children 12 and under are free, and parking on campus is free throughout the weekend. A full schedule of events and discount tickets are available online for $5.

*************************