, February 18, 2014

WHEN

Media pass proves passé

Austin Gonzalez
OPINION EDITOR

I went to the Chicago Auto Show for
the first time this year. I feel that perhaps getting
a media pass wasn’t the best way to experience
the show for the first time. There was a lack
of excitement on the floor for the first couple
days. Something was missing in the huge space
of McCormick Place that was largely empty of
people. The auto show is in some ways like a
concert; the people around you make it more
exciting than if you were to be listening to music
or looking at cars by yourself.

The media pass itself wasn’t as
commanding as I expected it to be; I was able

to register and receive the pass without any
problems, but getting on the floor was a struggle.
I was stopped and told I wasn’t allowed to
come in because I didn’t have a band. Proudly
displaying my media pass, I told her that I was
with media.

The interrogation continued, “How’d
you get that?” This really just struck me
blind. I wanted to say “Oh, you know, I killed
a guy and stole it.” Luckily, I simply looked
at the supervisor, who let us in without any
more trouble. This is just one goofy example
of what it was like, but the general feeling
continued throughout the day. Even the floor
representatives were off-putting and cold
towards me, as if I didn’t deserve to be there,

or I wasn’t worth their tirn . I mean, I thought
these people were being paid to be nice and
talk to people. At the very least, considering
how empty it was, if it was me, I’d be grateful
to have someone to talk to and show off what’s
new. I thought I was dressed rather well for the
occasion with my suit jacket and fancy camera,
but I suppose when compared to the other
media agents, most ofwhom were Old, balding,
white guys, I appeared like a child trying to
sneak around.

The floor itself was dead. It felt sad,
pompous, and too huge. I went back with my
dad for his birthday on a public day and things
just felt more reasonable and alive. There was
energy and lights and demonstrations left and

right. Suddenly, my media pass was valuable
and people wanted to chat with me about my
experience and what I thought of the new
models. The lines, of course, were ridiculous and
having the opportunity to go on the test track
was nice, but I thought the show was about cars,
not pinball machines and simulators.

Contrasting how my dad described
his first time at the auto show years ago and my
experience, it’s almost inexplicable. I assumed
that preferential status and first look access
could only guarantee a better time, but it felt
wrong.

I look forward to next year, having
my expectations properly aligned, but all in all,
media day is largely overrated.

.00...O0.0.0.0000.0.00.00.00.00...O...OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOIOOOOO.PhotosbyKyleStanevich