*The Center City District (CCD) and Central Philadelphia Development Corporation (CPDC) share a common mission: to enhance the vitality of Center City Philadelphia as a thriving 24-hour downtown and a great place to live, work or have fun. The Central Philadelphia Transportation Management Association (CPTMA) works to make travel within Center City efficient, reliable, pleasant and safe.

“Whether you are buying Auto Show tickets for someone special this holiday season or simply for yourself to take pleasure in, we are confident that our 2012 event will not disappoint attendees,” said Mike Gempp, director of the 2012 Philadelphia Auto Show.  “Our 9-day auto extravaganza returns to the newly-expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center bigger, bolder and better. We have a number of new and exciting features that we cannot wait to showcase to the great people of Philadelphia.”

In addition to exciting the buying public about the latest and greatest in the automotive industry, the Philadelphia Auto Show also gives back to its community. Similar to last year, the ADAGP will proudly continue its charitable giving in 2012 by donating $2.00 to the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation from every Auto Show ticket sold. These donations will be used to support a number of programs run by the Foundation, including its Driving Away the Cold campaign, which provides new winter coats to underprivileged children living in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Auto Show festivities will kick-off with its annual Black Tie Tailgate, which is set for Friday, January 27, from 7:00p.m. to 11:30p.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  At this event, individuals are invited to take a first look at the hundreds of exotic cars, classic automobiles, new production vehicles, concept models and tuners on display at the show. The menu for the evening will be designed by Stephen STARR Events in conjunction with ARAMARK/SFS and entertainment will be provided by Jellyroll.  Tickets are $225.00 per person and are available by clicking here. The Black Tie Tailgate is open to the public. Event proceeds will benefit the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia through the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation.

Philly HOT LIST is a regional contest that features more than 6,200 local businesses and events competing for title of Philadelphia’s best. Voted by members of the public from Monday, June 20, to Friday, August 12, the 2011 contest collected more than 97,000 votes in 140 categories to decide this year’s winners.  In the category of “Best Local Event” specifically, there were 53 nominees.

“We’ve always been an event that’s all about the people of the Greater Philadelphia region,” said Michael Gempp, director, Philadelphia Auto Show. “For years, we’ve prided ourselves on providing them the best auto show possible by displaying the latest from our long list of participating manufacturers, showcasing some of the most classic as well as high-end vehicles ever made and organizing special activities that really make the event fun for anyone. In addition to the vehicle highlights, every year our agenda is also filled with celebrity appearances by some of Philadelphia’s favorite sports stars, a day just for kids and contests for people of all ages. It’s inspiring that voters acknowledged that and we thank them for it.”

The Philadelphia Auto Show also has a philanthropic component that benefits people throughout the Delaware Valley. At its 2011 event, the ADAGP continued its years of charitable giving by donating $2.00 from every Auto Show ticket sold to its Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation.   These donations are used to support a number of programs run by the Foundation, including its Driving Away the Cold campaign, which provides new winter coats to underprivileged children living in the Greater Philadelphia area.  Further, prior to its official public opening, the show traditionally hosts its Black Tie Tailgate Charitable Preview, which annually benefits a specific department at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Planning for the 2012 Philadelphia Auto Show is now underway! Be sure to check back for updates!

Open to the public and a premiere event on the city’s social calendar, the Black Tie Tailgate is a charitable gala that annually kicks off the Philadelphia Auto Show with an evening of dining and dancing at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The 2012 event will take place on Friday, January 27, from 7:00p.m. to 11:30p.m. Guests will enjoy a sneak peek of the display floor of the 2012 Philadelphia Auto Show while listening to the sounds of one of the region’s best dance bands. The menu will be designed by Stephen STARR Events, which brings its cuisine, service and experience of the wildly successful restaurants to the world of catering and special events. To learn more, click here.

Tickets to the 2012 Black Tie Tailgate will be available for purchase online later this fall so check back for updates!