Is it fun to explore the Auto Show in Vancouver? Boy, is that an understatement. First of all, it’s held at the Vancouver Convention Centre, which is an amazing facility in itself. I’ll go there any chance I get. The Auto Show – it’s like a trip to Disneyland, in that wonderful location. I just love the experience.
- Vancouver International Auto ShowRickChung.com / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
My husband Ed was surprised the first time I told him I wanted to visit the Auto Show. He hadn’t seen my “road warrior” side, and with me driving a mini-van to ferry the kids to soccer and school, my wild side never had a chance to emerge. But the Auto Show allowed me to fantasize about driving one of those fancy and amazing cars on display, and I was thrilled with the experience.
Car manufacturers want to sell cars – that’s the whole point of this adventure. And boy, do they go all out to show off their products. I sit in brand new luxury cars until the smell of leather becomes second nature. It’s fun to imagine myself on a European Autobahn, seeing how fast this car could really go. There was one red Lexus sport model that Ed had to literally pull me out of. The salesman thought he had a sale, while Ed was quietly shaking his head and encouraging me not to talk price. But that’s the fun of it – the “what if” factor – how much would it cost to trade in the mini-van and wedge the kids into this hot machine for the ride to school? Of course we couldn’t afford it, but like Disneyland, the Auto Show is all about dreams and dreaming! It’s the escape factor that makes the adventure.
Features – you get to hear about the latest technology in great detail. I saw outside mirrors with turn lights on them, GPS navigation systems, turbo-charged four cylinder engines, 6 speed manual transmissions, hybrid car innovations. The options they explained just went on. At one point I seriously tried to get Ed to consider a Jeep off road vehicle – Modern Warfare I think they called it. I told him we needed it to get to the ski slopes. Ed took me outside for a breath of air.
Of course everyone wants to give you some kind of trinket for your goodie bag. I went away from the show like a kid with a very successful Halloween. And the contests – for sure I signed up for the Dream Car Lottery. You just never know, but if I signed up, I had a chance! A luxury BMW – sure, I’d take it if they gave it to me. I kept waiting for an announcement, just in case they had the drawing early while we were there. Since the car dealers want to fancy up their exhibits, I got an autograph with one of Vancouver’s local soccer superstars, too. They even had this Ford Robot thing – it was supposed to be for the kids, but I was fascinated, and had to try operating it.
Then there is the facility. The Vancouver Convention Centre is situated on the south shore of Burrard Inlet in Vancouver Harbour, and any time you pass by the windows in the exhibition halls, you look at just a stunning view. If the crowds get too dense, I just go to the window and relax for a while, taking in that wonderful view of the snowcapped mountains along the north shore, Stanley Park, ships coming in to the harbour. It’s just delightful. Oh look, there’s a float plane landing!
After a bit of a break, I once again explore all the exhibits and fun things to see and do. Soon we would head back to our Vancouver Airport Hotel to rest up before heading home to Seattle, but I wasn’t ready to stop just yet. Bless his heart, Ed tried to keep up, but after a while I found him sitting at an exhibit, chatting with one of the presenters, waiting for me to run out of steam. After all these years, he’s realizing it’s just not going to happen. I can rest when I get home – when I’m at the Auto Show, I want to go and see!
Carol Atkins has been traveling the globe for much of her life. She loves of all types of travel adventures including island hopping, hiking, cruising and being lazy on the beach :). Her next stop is the Vancouver Auto Show! Follow her on twitter @atkins_carol
