- The Rochester International Auto Show has reached the end of the road.
- Following a drop in attendance, organizers said it was not “economically viable.”
- The show started in 1908 and reportedly had over 150 vehicles on display this year.
Auto shows have been struggling with declining attendance and reduced automaker participation. This has resulted in the death of the Geneva Motor Show, while the Detroit Auto Show is a shell of its former self.
Unfortunately, there’s another casualty to report as the Rochester International Auto Show is being “discontinued.” The event started in 1908 and would see New Yorkers brave the snow each winter to check out the latest vehicles.
More: Detroit Auto Show Attendance Plummets As Glory Days Fade
Organizers put out a brief statement expressing their “sincere gratitude” to exhibitors, sponsors, and community partners. They added, “Your support and enthusiasm contributed to the show’s success in the past, and we are thankful for the many years of collaboration and shared experiences.” They then encouraged people to visit nearby dealerships for all their new vehicle needs.
The group didn’t say why they decided to cancel the show in their statement, but organizers told News 10 it was no longer “economically viable.” As they explained, auto show attendance dropped following the COVID-19 pandemic and never recovered. In particular, the number of visitors over the past four years was below pre-pandemic levels.
Organizers said the decision to end the show was “very difficult.” However, they had to consider changing market conditions and the economics of putting on the event. The group went on to note “consumers have a lot of options to get their information about their next car purchase” and putting on an auto show is “very expensive.”
While organizers tried to boost attendance, visitors stayed away and the Rochester Automobile Dealers Association felt “there was no indication that was going to change.” In light of this, they decided to end the event.
Interestingly, the group claimed the “factors driving this decision are specific to the Rochester Auto Show” and “do not reflect auto shows in general” as “many remain very viable.” While the New York and Los Angeles Auto Shows do seem relatively healthy, a number of others are struggling. There’s a multitude of reasons for this, but the internet has changed how people experience vehicles.
