Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa auto shows set to return in 2024

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Managers for the events in Calgary, Vancouver, and Ottawa are bullish on prospects for 2024. This trio of automotive festivities are set to be held in March (7 – 10, 20 – 24, and 21 – 24, respectively) with apparent robust support from brands at local levels. People in charge of the Calgary event report their event is going ahead thanks to participation from the area’s motor dealers association, meaning car dealers from the city are bringing their wares to the show instead of actual manufacturers.

It also surely doesn’t hurt that the general manager of the Calgary show is also executive manager of the Calgary Motor Dealers Association.

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Auto shows have had a hard go of it in the last few spins around the sun. Some manufacturers were already questioning the exorbitant costs of attending some events of this type and were already busy doing ROI-related sums when Covid hit. Gathering restrictions scuppered many auto shows for the span of about three calendar years, or at least forced organizers to revamp their business plans.

Once the ball got rolling again in 2023, some car brands quietly took a ‘wait and see’ approach, with several brands opting out of the Canadian International Auto Show earlier this year. Organizers made the best of all that extra floor space, setting up interactive displays and even a couple of indoor test tracks. The efforts paid off with the show breaking several attendance records as gearheads and car shoppers alike seemed eager to take in one of the first so-called ‘normal’ events since the dark days of 2020. The reported upswing in interest on the part of car brands could be due to this positive performance; few companies like their rivals to have extra eyes looking at their product.

As for other auto shows around the country next year, the Toronto event is slated to welcome members of the public from February 16 – 25 while the Salon de l’auto in Montreal is on tap for the last week of January.