What it was like to attend NAIAS for the first time #NAIASGM #ChevyAmsdr

I’ve heard about the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit for many years. I would use social media to watch the updates coming out of Detroit with interest and enthusiasm, engaging with tweets and sharing updates on the hottest cars. I was thrilled when I received the invitation to attend this year’s NAIAS with Chevrolet as their 2015 Chevrolet Canada Ambassador.

I had attended other auto shows in years past, in Montreal and Toronto. My brother and I would check out all the latest cars, jump behind ropes to get great pics (years and years ago of course!) and pose like we were in the movies (doesn’t everyone?!) I knew there would be great cars, awesome technology and lots of neat things to look forward to. I had no way however of anticipating the red carpet from General Motors.

 

[bctt tweet=”What really sets Chevrolet apart from other car brands is their focus on quality, not quantity #NAIASGM #ChevyAmsdr @canadianmomeh”]

What really sets Chevrolet apart from other car brands is their focus on quality, not quantity. We were told ahead of the show that we would be an intimate handful of bloggers from Canada. I did not realize however how much General Motors would do to ensure that we had the ultimate press experience, giving us unfettered access to executives in the company in intimate, private settings allowing us to ask as many questions, offer as much feedback and engage in as much dialogue as we felt compelled to. Doing so allowed us to better understand the mindset behind the brand, their vision for the future and truly feel their optimism and thirst for excellence.

[bctt tweet=”I better understood their vision for the future, their optimism & thirst for excellence #NAIASGM #ChevyAmsdr @canadianmomeh @chevroletcanada”]

 

 

The gorgeous new Buick #Cascada #ThatsABuick #NAIASGM #NAIAS #ChevyAmsdr #convertible #auto #blogger #journalist

A photo posted by Fariha (@canadianmomeh) on Jan 11, 2015 at 6:25pm PST

 

The press conferences were exhilarating. Getting to navigate a sea of international journalists from some of the most prestigious news outlets in the world made my inner journalist squee! I walked into the Buick press conference to a swanky warehouse full of well dressed news people and thought “Wow…” as I made my way through the crowd. Before I knew it, I was seated three rows from the stage amidst a clamouring of cameras and a sea of smartphones.  

 

 

  Why yes that is @GM CEO Mary Barra at #NAIASGM #ChevyAmsdr #NAIAS   A photo posted by Fariha (@canadianmomeh) on Jan 11, 2015 at 3:44pm PST

 

Everyone was jostling for the best picture, the perfect clip and on the edge of their seats as the Avenir concept car and the Buick Cascada convertible were unveiled. I smiled when I realized I had a great seat and was positioned to get some great clips from the unveiling.   The conference was followed by a snazzy reception with delicious appetizers, desserts and mini mains. The foodie in me admired the attention to detail; from the pomegranate sorbet to the mac in cheese served in individual cast iron skillets, the pistachio macaroons served with injectable raspberry coulis not to mention the tossed crisp greens with warm goat cheese fritters. 

 

 

Delicious food at the #ThatsABuick event at #NAIASGM #NAIAS #ChevyAmsdr A photo posted by Fariha (@canadianmomeh) on Jan 11, 2015 at 5:43pm PST

 

Our mornings were relaxed and well nourished with a warm balanced breakfast before we proceeded with a short people mover (think tram/train) trip away to Cobo Hall where the Autoshow was held. I was thankful to be staying in the GM World Headquarters right in the heart of the city and to be close enough to the show in case I needed to head back for anything.  The first press conference was exhilarating. It was an early morning start, the perfect way to start off the Auto Show and the press was excited. Everyone was looking around, vying to get the best seats and the best shots for their press coverage. Once again, the GM team ensured we were best positioned and had plenty of time to set up our gear (selfie stick and cameras of course) before feasting our eyes on the Next Generation Volt. Anticipation was in the air. My husband had made me promise to send him pictures of the car he had been drooling over and there was a buzz in the air as the press guessed what changes would be revealed and what new things to expect.

 

 

Full house as we wait for the #NextGenVolt #media #NAIASGM #NAIAS #ChevyAmsdr

A video posted by Fariha (@canadianmomeh) on Jan 12, 2015 at 4:35am PST

 

There is so much more to tell you about my experience, the interviews and all the amazing experiences so be sure to check back soon for all the updates and subscribe (in the sidebar) so you don’t miss the amazing blog posts coming your way!).